ABOUT

 

I am a composer, pianist and vocalist based in Edinburgh, Scotland.

I was born in Ayrshire, on the west coast of Scotland, in 1969, and spent most of my teenage years living in West Africa.

From 1987 to 1992, I studied classical piano and composition at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. As a pianist I specialised in the virtuosic works of Debussy and Ravel and my composition tutor was the internationally-acclaimed composer James McMillan.

I have been working as an independent solo artist and collaborator throughout Scotland, UK and worldwide for over 35 years, working across many disciplines and art forms.

My work blends contemporary classical sensibilities with digital media to create atmospheric and emotive soundworlds, including music for solo piano, instrumental works, songs and larger-scale vocal compositions and soundtracks and sound designs for theatre and dance productions.

My main source of inspiration is the written word. My catalogues features many original songs, song collections, poetry settings and re-imaginings of existing songs. My original vocal works include Something There (2002) - inspired by the poetry by Samuel Beckett and released on the prestigious record label, Linn Records. My poetry settings include songs from the work of Robert Burns and James Joyce and more recently in a newly-commissioned production Triptych: Tales From The Dissection Room (2023) by Push The Boat Out Poetry Festival, Edinburgh - a sixty-minute cinematic soundtrack exploring music and sound from the works of leading Scottish poets and authors: Ever Dundas, Harry Josephine Giles and Iona Lewis.

My solo piano work includes From A High Window (2022) - a cycle of short atmospheric pieces based on the novel The High Window (1942) by Raymond Chandler.

My theatre catalogue includes productions with leading theatre companies in Scotland and the UK, creating soundtracks for classic plays, stage adaptations of books, musicals and contemporary theatre works. Highlights of my theatre catalogue include Charles Dickens’s Great Expectations (2015), The Maids (2017) by Jean Genet and Arthur Miller’s All My Sons (2019) for Dundee Rep Theatre; the stage adaptation of Andrew O’Hagan’s book The Missing (2011) for the National Theatre Of Scotland; the late Sir Michael Boyd’s acclaimed production of Right Now (2016) by French-Canadian playwright Catherine-Anne Toupin for a co-production with Traverse Theatre (Edinburgh), Theatre Royal Bath and the Bush Theatre (London) and more recently, Ramesh Meyyappan’s award-winning Love Beyond (2023-2024) for a co-production with Vanishing Point and Raw Material, directed by Matthew Lenton. For over twenty years I been a creative team member of Grid Iron Theatre Company — one of the UK’s leading site-specific theatre companies. My soundtracks for Grid Iron productions include Muster Station: Leith (2022) - a large-scale co-production with the Edinburgh International Festival.

I am also a practitioner in theatre and dance productions for young audiences. My catalogue features soundtracks for productions by Imaginate (Edinburgh International Children’s Festival); Catherine Wheels; Lyra Theatre Company; Scottish Youth Dance, and Curious Seed. I also work on productions for artists with mental and physical disabilities, including the musical Castle Lennox (2023) by Linda McLean - a co-production with Lung Ha and Royal Lyceum, Edinburgh.

​Soundtracks for international theatre productions include The Green Snake (2013) for the National Theatre Of China (Beijing) at the Hong Kong Festival and Ramesh Meyyappan's Butterfly (2014) at the Esplanade, Singapore. My international work extends to projects and performances throughout Europe, South America, Middle East, South East Asia, USA and Australia.

Amongst the awards for my work are Best Music for my soundtrack to Ramesh Meyyappan’s Love Beyond at the 2023 Critics Awards For Theatre In Scotland and a Herald Angel for my chamber opera for children, The Songbird (2010). I am also a recipient of the Glenfiddich Spirit Of Scotland Award For Music.

My independent projects are kindly supported by Creative Scotland.

FORTHCOMING PROJECTS:

Lone Tree - my new song-cycle of poems by Kathleen Jamie (the current National Poet Of Scotland) will premiere at the Edinburgh International Book Festival in August 2024. Joining me live onstage are Fay Guiffo (violin) and Justyna Jablonska (cello). The composition of Lone Tree was funded by Creative Scotland and the live performances are commissioned by the Edinburgh International Book Festival.

Love Beyond (Vanishing Point/Raw Material) will return to the stage in August 2024 at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe as part of the Made In Scotland Showcase, followed by a UK autumn tour.

Last Night I Dreamt Somebody Love Me - is a new collaboration with Ben Harrison. Ben and I have been creating theatre work together for over twenty years with Grid Iron Theatre Company and beyond. The production is a collection of short stories written and performed by Ben Harrison and the soundtrack is my reimaginings of classic songs from the 1980s. Touring Scotland in September 2024.

CURRENTLY IN DEVELOPMENT:

The Dusk And The Dark - a cycle of piano pieces inspired by the spiritual writings of Thomas Merton (1915-1968).

The Unravelled Heart - a series of vocal and instrumental EPs exploring individual and collective trauma, inspired by the writings of J.Krishnamurti (1895-1986).

Every Five Minutes - a new musical with playwright Linda McLean, originating from the International Musical Theatre Residency at Cove Park, Scotland in Spring 2024.

How To Bring A Blush To The Snow - a trilogy of ghost stories for non-speaking actors and soundtrack.

 

LIST OF WORKS

  • Castle Lennox (2023)
    LUNG HA/ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE
    Director: Maria Oller

    Love Beyond (2023)
    RAW MATERIAL/VANISHING POINT
    Director: Matthew Lenton

    Muster Station: Leith (2022)
    GRID IRON/EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL
    Director: Ben Harrison

    The Yellow Door (2021)
    ROYAL LYCEUM/EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL
    Director: David Greig

    The Coat (2021)
    ROYAL CONSERVATOIRE OF SCOTLAND
    Director: Ramesh Meyyappan

    Fooligan And The Bridges Of Madness (2019-Present)
    AL SEED PRODUCTIONS
    Director: Al Seed

    A Game Of Death And Chance (2019)
    NATIONAL TRUST FOR SCOTLAND/SONSIE PRODUCTIONS
    Directors: Ben Harrison | Allie Butler-Smith

    All My Sons (2019)
    DUNDEE REP
    Director: Jemima Levick

    Enlightenment House (2018)
    NATIONAL TRUST FOR SCOTLAND
    Director: Ben Harrison

    Last Woman Left (2018)
    ROYAL CONSERVATOIRE OF SCOTLAND
    Director: Claire Lamont

    The Maids (2017)
    DUNDEE REP
    Director: Eve Jamieson

    Jury Play (2017) 
    GRID IRON/ TRAVERSE
    Director: Ben Harrison

    The High Window (2016)
    METIS ARTS
    Director: Zoe Svendsen

    Right Now (2016)
    TRAVERSE/BUSH THEATRE LONDON/THEATRE ROYAL BATH
    Director: Michael Boyd

    Great Expectations (2015)
    DUNDEE REP
    Director: Jemima Levick

    Tracks Of The Winter Bear (2015)
    TRAVERSE
    Directors: Orla O’Loughlin | Zinnie Harris

    World Factory (2015)
    METIS ARTS
    Director: Zoe Svendsen

    Bloody Trams (2014)
    TRAVERSE
    Director: Joe Douglas

    Butterfly (2014)
    RAMESH MEYYAPPAN PRODUCTIONS
    Director: Ramesh Meyyappan

    The Green Snake (2013)
    NATIONAL THEATRE OF CHINA
    Director: Tian Qinxin

    Tree Of Knowledge (2011)
    TRAVERSE
    Director: Ben Harrison

    The Missing (2011)
    NATIONAL THEATRE OF SCOTLAND
    Director: John Tiffany

    What Remains (2011)
    GRID IRON
    Director: Ben Harrison

    Dolls (2009)
    NATIONAL THEATRE OF SCOTLAND
    Director: Carrie Cracknell

    Mary Queen Of Scots Got Her Head Chopped Off (2009)
    NATIONAL THEATRE OF SCOTLAND
    Director: Alison Peebles

    Barflies (2009)
    GRID IRON
    Director: Ben Harrison

    Four Men And A Poker Game (2008)
    METIS ARTS
    Director: Zoe Svendsen

    What If? (2007)
    TRICKY HAT PRODUCTIONS
    Director: Fiona Miller

    Lamb To The Slaughter (2007)
    GRID IRON
    Director: Jemima Levick

    Elizabeth Gordon Quinn (2006)
    NATIONAL THEATRE OF SCOTLAND
    Director: John Tiffany

    The Escapologist (2006) 
    SUSPECT CULTURE
    Director: Graham Eatough

    Story Of The Death Of Najib Brax (2005)
    GRID IRON/BRITISH COUNCIL (BEIRUT)
    Director: Hisham Jaber

    The Devil's Larder (2005) 
    GRID IRON
    Director: Ben Harrison

    Those Eyes, That Mouth (2003)
    GRID IRON
    Director: Ben Harrison

    Diving-Bell (2002) 
    DPJ ENSEMBLE
    Director: David Paul Jones

    Something There (2000) 
    CRYPTIC
    Director: Graham Eatough

    Electra (2000) 
    CRYPTIC
    Director: Cathie Boyd

    Nothing But Pleasure (1999)
    ASSEMBLY THEATRE/SYDNEY FESTIVAL AUSTRALIA
    Director: David Benson

    Parallel Lines (1996) 
    CRYPTIC
    Director: Cathie Boyd

    Childlover (1995)
    CRYPTIC
    Director: Cathie Boyd

    Macbeth (1994)
    ROYAL CONSERVATOIRE OF SCOTLAND
    Director: Hugh Hodgart

    Seven Lears (1993)
    ROYAL CONSERVATOIRE OF SCOTLAND
    Director: Hugh Hodgart

  • In The Light Of The Moon (2019)
    LJS PROJECTS
    Choreographer: Laura Johnston-Scott

    We Are All Just Little Creatures (2019)
    CURIOUS SEED/LUNG-HA/LYRA
    Directors: Christine Devaney | Maria Oller | Jo Timmins

    Maelstrom (2016)
    YDANCE
    Choreographer: Anna Kenrick

    Threads (short film) (2015)
    CURIOUS SEED
    Choreographer: Christine Devaney

    Inertia (2013)
    YDANCE
    Choreographer: Anna Kenrick

    Drifting (2010)
    INDEPEN-DANCE 
    Director: Ramesh Meyyappan

    This Twisted Tale (2011)
    PAPER DOLL MILITIA (USA)
    Director: Ben Harrison

    Uncharted Waters (2010)
    STRANGE BIRD ZIRKUS/ALL OR NOTHING
    Directors: Christine Devaney | Ben Harrison

    NQR (2010)
    SCOTTISH DANCE THEATRE
    Choreographers: Janet Smith | Marc Brew | Caroline Bowditch

    Wishbox (2008)
    WIRED AERIAL THEATRE (LIVERPOOL)
    Choreographer: Wendy Hesketh-Ogilvie

  • Once Upon A Snowstorm (2021-22)
    LYRA/CATHERINE WHEELS
    Director: Jo Timmins

    Little By Little Field (2021)
    CURIOUS SEED/IMAGINATE
    Director: Christine Devaney

    Caged (2011)
    CATHERINE WHEELS
    Director: Gill Robertson

    The Attic (2010/2018)
    STARCATCHERS
    Director: Heather Fulton

    Pobby & Dingan (2010)
    CATHERINE WHEELS
    Director: Gill Robertson

    The Songbird (2010)
    GIANT PRODUCTIONS
    Director: Katrina Caldwell

    Adventures In A Norwegian Wood (2010)
    SCOTTISH YOUTH THEATRE
    Director: Angela Darcy

    Our Teacher’s A Troll (2009)
    NATIONAL THEATRE OF SCOTLAND
    Director: Joe Douglas

    Something Wicked This Way Comes (2008)
    CATHERINE WHEELS/NATIONAL THEATRE OF SCOTLAND
    Director: Gill Robertson

  • Lone Tree (2024)
    Voice & Ensemble
    Edinburgh International Book Festival

    Triptych (2023)
    Soundtrack
    Push The Boat Out Poetry Festival

    Horses (2022)
    Voice, Clarinet, Violin, Piano
    Solo Project

    Leezie Lyndsay (2022)
    Voice, Clarinet, Violin, Cello, Piano
    Solo Project

    Thou Gloomy December (2015)
    SATB Choir, Chamber Orchestra
    National Youth Choir Of Scotland/Royal Scottish National Orchestra

    The Sky's Harbour (2013)
    Voice, Digital Ensemble
    Commissioned by Prestwick Airport World Festival Of Flight

    The Old Man Of Storr (2010)
    Solo Piano
    Commissioned by Wendy Niblock

    Auld Lang Syne (2010)
    SATB Choir
    Commissioned by Loud & Proud LGBT Choir

    Ae Fond Kiss (2010)
    Voice, Piano
    Solo Project

    Dreaming (2009)
    3-part Choir, Piano
    Commissioned by National Youth Choir Of Scotland

    A Lonely Ghost Boy (2009)
    2-part Choir, Piano
    Commissioned by National Youth Choir Of Scotland

    Thou Gloomy December (Original Version) (2009)
    3-part Choir, Piano
    Commissioned by National Youth Orchestra Of Scotland

    Palmstar Poppy (2008)
    Voice, Piano
    Solo Project

    Farewell Whistling Shonsho (2007)
    Soprano, Piano
    Lisa Milne

    Zones Of Perpetual Twilight (2007)
    String Quartet 
    Robin Mason Quartet

    The Day She Called Up The First Teardrop (2003)
    Voice, Mixed Ensemble
    Orquestra Scotland Brasil (Sao Paulo)

    Something There (2002)
    Voice, Soprano Sax, String Ensemble, Percussion
    Linn Records

    Mr K's Talk Without Words (2002)
    SABT Choir, Piano
    Commissioned by National Youth Choir Of Scotland

    Time Sleeps As The Heart Speaks (1997)
    Voice, Cello, Clarinet, Piano
    DPJ Ensemble

    Spellbound & Seeking (1997)
    Voice, Cello, Clarinet, Piano
    DPJ Ensemble

    Sleep Now (1996)
    Soprano, Clarinet, Cello
    Cryptic

    Spinning Stratagems (1996)
    Soprano, Clarinet, Cello
    Cryptic

    Touched, Not Spoken (1996)
    Solo Clarinet
    Cryptic

    From The Edge Of The World (1994)
    SATB Choir
    Commissioned by Edinburgh Royal Choral Union

    Aria (1994)
    Soprano, Cello, Piano
    Cryptic

    Cygnus (1994)
    Mixed Voice Ensemble,Harp
    Commissioned by Royal Conservatoire Of Scotland

    Words For Sometime (1993)
    Soprano, Piano
    Lisa Milne

    Whispers (1993)
    Soprano, Piano
    Royal Conservatoire Of Scotland

    The Protagonist (1992)
    Orchestral Brass Ensemble
    Royal Conservatoire Of Scotland

    Lullaby (1992)
    Soprano, Female Choir, String Orchestra, Harp
    Royal Conservatoire Of Scotland

    Journey Through An Unconscious Mind (1992)
    Solo Piano
    Solo Project

    Requiem (1992)
    String Quartet
    Scottish Chamber Orchestra Ensemble

    A Second Glance Across Knadgerhill (1992)
    String Quartet, Piano
    Scottish Chamber Orchestra Ensemble

    Sigh (1991)
    Voice, String Ensemble
    Royal Conservatoire Of Scotland

    Footsteps Across Knadgerhill (1991)
    Clarinet, French Horn, Piano
    Scottish Chamber Orchestra Ensemble

 
 

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