This page has a list of the different circumstances of my own formal learning and highlights the people and places where I have been in the role of a teacher, pedagogue or facilitator. However, I would count all creative activities as learning ones, of one kind or another.
I am interested in the process of learning through play and creative participation. Participatory practice and music making is a social art-form and it's essence is in human relationship through living, creative and organic organisation which is explicitly expressed through improvisation, freely created or process based art, but is also implied in more fixed forms of music whether that be in popular or traditional settings.
I have steered away from academic conditions that separate themselves to a lesser or greater degree from the communal or grass-roots, because I see the role of a musician and artist as a feeder of the roots of all people lives and relationships, naturally affecting society at large, whether there is continued active practice of music, or not, those experiences can affect everyone in profound ways.
I am however, open to contact and proposals for workshops or learning modules within academic or conservatoire contexts or by those who wish to connect with musicians such as myself who work with people across all spectrums of ability, circumstance and experience.
Teaching / workshops / facilitation
In schools and for Music Hubs
2024-present - Tutor-Sound Box, Tower Hamlets Inclusive Ensemble, disabled/non-disable musicians.
2019- present – London Borough Tower Hamlets : Peripetetic strings, music tutor.
2019 – 2024 London Borough Hackney – Cello, keyboard & musicianship teacher.
2014-2017 Bristol Plays Music: Peripetetic 'Cello, Ensemble, and rhythm/percussion teacher.
2004-'11 & 2022 Hackney Music Service - Shacklewell Primary School– keyboard & music teacher.
2006 Walthamstow Arts and Education Service: Song writing projects with William Morris SEN school.
2003-2006 Sir John Cass Foundation primary school: Key stage 1 Musicianship and 'Cello teacher.
1998-'08 London Borough of Hackney/CYM. Cello & musicianship, lead music teacher. Nursey -Yr6.
Workshop lead
2023- present 'Out of the Box' - Guide and devisor of improvisation 'game' workshops using chance / dice.
2016 Kings Place – 'Beyond 'Cello Festival': Improvisation workshop with 40 Cellists.
2012- Southampton Art Gallery: Expressionist 'Art to Music' workshop/recordings with young musicians.
2006 Youth Music: Music technology workshops with girls in Walthamstow.
Community workshop Lead
2016 OME: Open Music Encounters. Convened monthly encounters with Bristol improvising musicians.
2008- The Royal Opera House Education Dpt: Workshops with diverse community groups aged 4-60.
1998 The Studio Upstairs: 10-week music workshop project for artists with history of mental health issues.
Creative projects with schools & organisations
2024/25 – MD for Absolute Theatre Schools production.
2021: Museum of the Home & White Rabbit – 'Tomorrowland' project. Workshops with primary children.
2018, 19 & 20 - Norden Farm Arts Centre: Sensory sound and story sessions with SEND pupils in Berkshire.
Tutor / mentor for bands and musicians
2017/18 National Youth Jazz Collective: Teaching repertoire with group of young jazz musicians.
2017 Community Music LTD City and Guilds Level 3: Delivering rhythm & improvisation workshops.
2013- Opera North - Verve project: Support teacher for young musicians with Asperger's syndrome.
2003-2013 The Roundhouse Studios: 'Recording an Album in a week' summer school. Support facilitator.
2009- Kilve Court summer residential course. Workshops with ‘Young and Gifted’ musicians.
Theatre workshops & tutor
2014 Prema Arts Centre: The Ding Foundation. Half term puppetry workshops with 50 children.
2012- The Space (Somerset): The Ding Foundation visual theatre devising workshops with drama students.
2007 Central School of Speech & Drama: Mentoring students on Advanced Theatre Practice course.
2001 Central School of Speech and Drama: 'People Show' residency for Advanced Theatre Practice students.
Other workshops
2009- Act for Change: Support facilitator for workshops/talks with survivors of genocides.
1999 Eastside Education Trust: Support facilitator. Young peoples poetry and music workshops.
Study \ Training \ CPD \ Awards
Accredited qualifications in music:
1992-'96: Cello. 4 years Undergrad. BMus Perf. at Guildhall School of Music & Drama.
1998: Community Music Training – 1 year with Community Music LTD - Open College Network.
2017: City and Guilds Level 3 - Education and Training in life-long learning with Community Music. 6 months.
Teaching development including in mental health & SEND
2013: 1 day training in autism awareness for teachers - Sound Connections.
2014: Trinity College certificate for music educators – training.
2019 - 21: CPD trainings - Working with children in care, vulnerable adults & SEND. Hackney Music Service.
2021: Trauma Informed Practice for artists – Kazzum Arts - 2 day intensive course.
Music/sound short courses
1995-'98: Porthcawl Jazz Summer Schools: tutors- Julian Arguelles, Stan Sulzman, Niki Iles & Alex Maguire
2021: Field recording & Soundscape Composition - Goldsmiths Univeristy - short course.
Performance & theatre
1997: Physical Theatre & Mask - workshops at City Lit. led by John Mowat - 12 weeks.
2003: BAC - 'Theatre Futures' – The Ding Foundation selected for Devised theatre mentoring and training.
2005: Object motion & puppetry workshops with Stephen Mottram.
2006: Clown & Comedy performance - intensive course with Mick Barnfather.
2007-12: Butoh – physical practice - Regular workshops with Selinna Papoutseli & guests.
2018: Augusto Boal's Forum theatre for mental health - Weekly workshops at Calder bookshop - 3 months
Health & artistic practice
2004-6: 'Processwork' or Process Oriented Psychology - Regular attendance of Seminars & Workshops.
2022 - '23: Level 1 Foundation in Sound healing - The Sound Healing Academy – 6 month course
2021: Essay/documentary Film-making - Birkbeck University - short course.
2010-11: Holistic Massage, Anatomy & Holistic Therapy - B-tec Diploma - 1 year part time.
Prizes/nominations
2014: Chosen for British Music Collection. Interview & writing for Female Improvisers series by Julie Kjaer.
2017: 25th Year Arts Foundation Award nomination by Saxophonist Ingrid Laubrock.
1996: 1st Prize in GSMD Sonata Competition.