I am passionate about music for everyone, of any age and bring my range of skills and experience to enable learning and engagement for clients/pupils. I have worked with all age groups in Education and been Musical Director of Doncaster Concert Band (adult organisation).
I have a depth of experience in working in Special Education over the last 20 years and the life experience of being a Mum to 2 adults with Learning Difficulties.
I love working in creative projects and love to empower others to achieve their potential. I have worked in partnership with many different musicians and artists over the years and love collaborative work.
I would welcome the opportunity to work in environments beyond those I have already experienced. I can improvise and play by ear on piano and this skill has served me well in adapting to pupils' needs over the years.
I am always happy to undergo training and try new skills.
Class Teacher in 6th Form teaching lifeskills, curriculum and Music
Taught Music in the school
Went into other DMBC schools offering support and CPD
Sat on National panel as Primary Lead for the National Association of Music Educators (NAME)
Ran National CPD sessions at NAME
Advanced Skills Teacher for Music and Primary Music Consultant
Developed Special Schools Music Programme
Lead Wider Opportunities Programme
Worked with darts to develop a range of offers such as Choir for Roma pupils and Doncaster Council Community Choir,
Delivered Training and support for Schools in Music- composing, performing, singing, developing policies and schemes (often with Janet Wood and Dyzelle Sutherland)
Conducted Doncaster Concert Band 2000-2023
I play piano, french horn, most brass, recorder, cello, bagpipes
Musical Skills include
Performing, Composing, Improvising, Playing by ear, Directing
Choral and Band conducting
Playing horn, piano, trumpet, recorder, bagpipes
SEN Music
Teaching music to pupils with MLD, SLD and PMLD
Using music to stimulate responses in pupils with SLD, PMLD
Improvising with music to suit pupils needs
Using Makaton with music
Creative solutions to make progress with pupils
Teaching
Wide range of teaching ability from mainstream pupils- primary and secondary, to Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties
Can adapt resources and ideas to maximise accessibility