Dogmar Turner, a member of the Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra, was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2013 after suffering from a seizure during a concert.
The 53-year-old musician was asked by the King’s College Hospital medical team to play the violin whilst undergoing an operation to remove the tumour.
The tumour was close to the area that controls fine hand movement, located in the right frontal lobe of her brain.
The surgery involved spending two hours before the operation, mapping her brain to identify which parts become active when she plays, as well as the areas responsible for language and movement.
Surgeons then proceeded to perform a craniotomy, opening her skull before waking her from anaesthetic.
Ms Turner picked up the violin and began to execute a series of complicated scales and improvisation.
Professor Keyoumars Ashkan said, “We managed to remove over 90 per cent of the tumour, including all the areas suspicious of aggressive activity, while retaining full function in her left hand.”
Ms Turner later said, “The violin is my passion; I’ve been playing since I was 10 years old. The thought of losing my ability to play was heartbreaking.”