Provided education on stretches and exercises, contributing to client's long-term health improvement.
Singing and Dancing group facilitator
Springbank Gardens, Viewpark and Queensbay Lodge
Portobello, Edinburgh
2023.06 - 2024.04
Working in Portobello Care homes inspiring movement, dance and song with guitar and voice or speaker and playlist.
'Golden Oldies' playlist made in response to personal conversations with members and staff.
Movement group inspired by 5 rhythms dance and working for a physiotherapist.
Adopted flexible approach in response to unforeseen challenges.
Fostered inclusive atmosphere with proactive engagement strategies.
Nursery assistant
Happy Days Nursery
Dalkieth, Midlothian
2023.03 - 2023.04
Engaging kids in games, stories and educational fun. Indoors and out.
Ensuring kids are safe and don't twat each other. Encouraging respect, awareness and concern for others.
Cleaning responsibilities.
Covid ended this work.
Community Activities Facilitator
Southside Community Centre - Edinburgh City Counci
Edinburgh, Edinburgh City
2016.09 - 2019.05
With members from 16 - 80, some with additional support needs implemented playful ice-breakers for effective team building.
Members have diverse communication styles ( from non verbal to hyperactive ).
Activities were member led and included singing and dancing, theatre games, basketball, drawing, bowling and a craft stall.
Fostered an inclusive atmosphere with proactive engagement strategies.
Absorbed participant feedback for continuous improvement of sessions.
Monitored group dynamics to ensure group safety and involvement.
Promoted active learning through dynamic facilitation techniques.
Musician
Self Employed
Edinburgh, Edinburgh City
2009.05 - 2019.05
Acoustic guitar/ voice, originals/cover songs on the street, in pubs, cabarets, festivals, weddings and wakes - Knochengorrach, Kelburn, Edinburgh Fringe etc.
3 full runs of Edinburgh Festival including various guest appearances.
Eclectic inspiration, adaptable to diverse audience. Folk, funk, reggae, rock family friendly and adult repertoires.
Performed solo and collaborated in duo, trio, or four-piece band configurations.
3 star review from Broadway Baby for solo show 'Imaginary Girlfriend'
Love to improvise music with friends.
Toured as drummer with 'Bob Hilary and the Massive Mellow' for 'Nature's Pace' album release.
Grade 7 Pianoforte. I have a Korg Triton keyboard ( makes all kinds of sounds ).
Musical Comedy experience. Well received performance at The Stand's 'Red Raw' for 1st show.
These days playing socially or devotionally in spiritual groups.
Actor
Edinburgh Science Festival
Edinburgh, Edinburgh City
2019.02 - 2019.04
Performed acting and musical roles in educational theatre productions
'It's My Turn' was based on research by Edinburgh University Psychology department into the importance of turn taking in conversation. Aimed at young neurodiverse audience and their families.
Delivered performances in venues across Edinburgh and Glasgow
Support worker
Garvald Edinburgh
Edinburgh, Edinburgh City
2018.07 - 2019.04
Supporting adults and children with additional support needs in creative workshops. Learning disabilities, cerebral palsy, neurodivergence...
Mostly working one to one with a guy who enjoyed wild style movement. Made playlists based on his suggestions and we'd dance.
Enhanced wellbeing of members by providing emotional support and companionship. Encouraged members not to twat each other.
Provided companionship during outings contributing to an active social life for clients.
Also supported other workshops as needed - drama, puppetry, land group, drama, kitchen.
Musical Performer
Starcatchers Westerhailes
Edinburgh, Edinburgh City
2014.12 - 2014.12
Portrayed musical elf in Christmas show, guiding children through WHALE arts to meet Santa.
Improvised festive music on voice and guitar, enhancing storytelling experience for the audience.
Actor
Bakehouse Theatre
Stirling, Stirlingshire
2014.07 - 2014.07
Walkabout character performance in Stirling shopping centre with characters and a mock-up castle.
Improvised games with kids based on the story theme.
Fool
The Nomadic Academy of Fools
Europe, Largely UK
2009.05 - 2014.05
Learning, Touring, Performing ( teaching ) Foolish Theatre with director Jonathan Kay. Continuous scratch performances and Fools Cabaret. Mostly UK venues but some in Europe - France, Spain, Germany, Different venue each month.
3 full runs of Edinburgh Fringe Festival working solo and one year's full run with the company too.
Living and working with newcomers to the workshops, usually for ten days at a time.
Regularly performing with improvisation and script. Regularly working with complete beginners and 'beginning again' from scratch. Regular theatre exercises. Scripted work - Shakespeare's Richard the 2nd & The Penis Monologues ( devised by us ).
After three years the company became independent of the director and toured, performed and self organised with minimal input from him.
'Imaginary Girlfriend' my solo musical show was given three stars by Broadway Baby.
My musical comedy spot at The Stand Comedy Club's 'Red Raw' was very well received.
Socially inclusive but not a disability support group. Therapeutic but not a therapy group.
Performer
Environmental Arts Theatre Company
Edinburgh, Edinburgh City
2000.09 - 2000.10
Toured 'The Pine & the Eagle' musical across Scotland, engaging children in environmental issues.
Played badger, sheep and a landowner.
The Director Malcolm le Maistre had played in the Incredible String Band.
Sang soulful silly songs satisfyingly.
Education
Fooling
The Nomadic Academy of Fools
Europe
2008.10 - 2014.05
HNC - Acting & Performance
Edinburgh's Telford College ( now Edinburgh College )
Edinburgh
1999.08 - 2000.06
ACMT - Advanced Clinincal Massage Therapy
Jing Advanced Massage Training
Brighton
2016.09 - 2017.09
Grade 7 - Pianoforte
Associated Board of the Royal School of Music
Aberdeen, Aberdeen City
1986.08 - 1994.06
Skills
Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist - 10 years professional experience playing streets, pubs, festivals, weddings and wakes Solo or bands of 2,3 or 4
Over 5 years performing with The Nomadic Academy of Fools around Europe and UK Over 2 years touring independently
3 successful full runs of Edinburgh Fringe Festival Performing solo and with company
Versatile in style Folk, funk, reggae, rock, jazz
Playing music for over 30 years
Lover of spontaneous songs
Affiliations
Edinburgh Dance Tribe - 5 Rhythms Dance and it's various off shoots. I usually go Friday nights and Sunday mornings
I follow Yoga in Daily Life. We meet weekly in the Salisbury Centre and monthly in online Satsang.
A good show. Binge watching 'House of the Dragon' currently
Cooking and nutrition. Recovering from IBS has taught me lots.
Walks in Nature
Accomplishments
As a kid i was Scottish Fencing Champion for my age group for three years.
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Massage Therapist
Better Physiotherapy
2023.07 - Current
Singing and Dancing group facilitator
Springbank Gardens, Viewpark and Queensbay Lodge
2023.06 - 2024.04
Nursery assistant
Happy Days Nursery
2023.03 - 2023.04
Actor
Edinburgh Science Festival
2019.02 - 2019.04
Support worker
Garvald Edinburgh
2018.07 - 2019.04
Community Activities Facilitator
Southside Community Centre - Edinburgh City Counci
2016.09 - 2019.05
ACMT - Advanced Clinincal Massage Therapy
Jing Advanced Massage Training
2016.09 - 2017.09
Musical Performer
Starcatchers Westerhailes
2014.12 - 2014.12
Actor
Bakehouse Theatre
2014.07 - 2014.07
Musician
Self Employed
2009.05 - 2019.05
Fool
The Nomadic Academy of Fools
2009.05 - 2014.05
Fooling
The Nomadic Academy of Fools
2008.10 - 2014.05
Performer
Environmental Arts Theatre Company
2000.09 - 2000.10
HNC - Acting & Performance
Edinburgh's Telford College ( now Edinburgh College )