The following is a selection of education and community based projects I have been involved with over the years…
2018/2019
Devising and delivering “Wee Story, Big Sound” – a new programme for Primary 1
and 2 pupils in West Lothian Primary Schools connecting music with emergent literacy
and developing phonological awareness skills. Commissioned by West Lothian YMI
Delivering many bespoke Music projects in schools, nurseries and colleges across Scotland for the Scottish Government’s Youth Music Initiative
Devising a bespoke evaluation system for use with “Music and Me” to help Early
Years practitioners assess the soft skills development of pre-school children.
2014
Author of “Music in Transition”, a resource for Nursery and Primary staff using music
in the classroom helping children through the transition to Primary School.
Commissioned by West Lothian Council. Roll out to Primary Schools across the region
2014. Funded by YMI.
2013
Delegate member of “The Well-Connected Child” series of seminars over 6 months
hosted by The Scottish Universities Insight Institute, bringing together academics
and practitioners in many disciplines to strengthen services in the Early Years.
Representing the case for Music and the Arts.
Author of “Tots, Tunes and Tales”, a resource for parents of young children, sharing
research on the benefits of music in the Early Years.
2011
Delivering a range of workshops in primary schools around Scotland exploring emotional literacy themes and the role of music in Theatre, Film and Television
Author of “Music and Me”, a resource for Nursery staff
Delivering CPD sessions for Nursery and Primary school teachers on innovative approaches to using Music in the classroom
Director of “Routes into Performance” Music and Storytelling project in Edinburgh Primary schools for Imaginate
2009/2010
Director/Author of Pilot Study “Music and Emotional Literacy” for East Lothian Council, researching the effectiveness of music as a means of teaching emotional literacy to secondary level students – in collaboration with the Institute of Music in Human and Social Development, University of Edinburgh
2010
Composer/workshop leader on The Planets 2010, a performance project for Edinburgh Primary Schools commissioned by The Usher Hall, Edinburgh
Composer/workshop leader on on The Plight of the Bumble Bee, a performance project for Edinburgh Primary Schools commissioned by The Usher Hall, Edinburgh
2006
Musician/Workshop leader for Independance Dance Co residency at the Tanzhaus, Dusseldorf
1997
Member of “Fire Water Ensemble”, a team of musicians performing at the Hong Kong Fringe Festival and commissioned to set up the Hong Kong Samba School for The British Council
1996
“Millennium – Angels of Paris” 3 month International Theatre Performance Project based at His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen working with Drama students from Scotland, Belarus and France.
1995
Music consultant for the “Clown Doctors” training programme: preparing actors/ musicians delivering drama therapy in Scotland’s hospitals
Lecturer in Music on the Drama HND course – Coatbridge College
1994
Composer/Workshop leader for Shetland Youth Theatre Summer School Performance Project
Musician/workshop leader for the Scottish Youth Dance Festival’s programme “Training the Trainers”, working with top International choreographers throughout Scotland
Developer and facilitator of a series of concerts & music workshops in 7 prisons for the Scottish Prison Service with composer and guitarist Howard Haig.
1993
“Theatre About Europe” 3 month International Youth Theatre project devised by Tayside Regional Council. Working with Spanish Musical Director Paco Aguilera.
1992
Director of workshops with the Strathclyde Gamelan Project for Sounds of Progress in Glasgow and The Queen’s Hall outreach project at Donaldson’s School for the Deaf in Edinburgh
1991-1994
Workshop director for The Drake Research Project, (now Drake Music Project) leading workshops to facilitate music-making for physically disabled students. Running weekly sessions and directing residential courses in Scotland, England and Ireland
1990-1994
Workshop leader for Strathclyde Orchestral Productions (now Sounds Of Progress and Limelight) – a Glasgow based project, developing strategies in music education and performance for students with learning difficulties.
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