In 1938 Dickson appeared at Queen's Hall as soloist in the Emperor Concerto with Sir Henry Wood conducting, leading to five appearances at the Proms, including a performance of Alexander Mackenzie's Scottish Concerto at the Last Night in 1943 when she was still only 23.[1] Her first solo recital was given at the Wigmore Hall in June 1940.[2] During the war she gave recitals at the National Gallery and toured the country with a series of lecture recitals for the forces with baritone Hervey Alan.
After the war Dickson became a music teacher at Clifton High School in Bristol, and later at St Felix School, Southwold. In 1960 she joined the staff of the Royal Academy of Music and became an examiner for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, travelling internationally. As an accompanist she performed with Dennis Brain, Léon Goossens, Frederick Thurston and others. She married Jack Stoddart in 1962.[3]
Dickson first became involved with the National Youth Orchestra from its inception in 1948 as a woodwind coach.[4] In 1966 she took on the role of musical director, following on from its founder and her friend, Dame Ruth Railton. She auditioned candidates for the orchestra around the country and emphasized the training function of the orchestra, moving players gradually up the orchestral ranks until they were ready to take on more demanding soloist roles. She broadened the repertoire to cover the 20th Century, including performances of Stravinsky, Bartok and Shostakovich.[3]