PERSONAL PROFILE
I am a graduate in Music, continuing my studies at PhD level at the University of Edinburgh in the area of Musical Instrument research. My strengths as an academic are built upon a passion for research, and a love of writing which I have had from a young age, and which I am always looking to improve.
My volunteer work with the Musical Instrument Museums over the last 3 years has improved my academic knowledge of the instruments; but also allowed me to develop the skills of working in an academic and working environment (including the day-to-day running issues of a building with multiple uses).
As a freelance musicologist I have written programme notes for various Edinburgh ensembles, and for several artists involved in Fringe Festival concerts organised by the Friends of St Cecilia's Hall, as well as undertaking several writing tasks as part of my work for the University. I have edited for publication a volume of papers given at the EUCHMI Woodwind Colloquium, 2007 (awaiting publication), and have recently been appointed Reviews Editor for one the UK's fastest growing record companies, Delphian Records.
On top of my academic studies, I am a keen member of the choir of Old St Paul’s Edinburgh, which as well as being a fun hobby allows me to develop my musical skills. I also volunteer with the Junior Choir, helping them to learn and interpret music, and to develop their technical skills as singers; this in itself is a very rewarding experience.
I am a keen reader of fiction; I play the bass viol in the University Beginners Consort; and I enjoy Ballroom and Latin dancing when I have the time.
EDUCATION
2008 - Present PhD Student, Music, University of Edinburgh
2007-2008 MMus (Musical Instrument Research), University of Edinburgh
2003-2007 BMus(Hons) Music, University of Edinburgh
As well as my degrees in Music, I have been published in The Galpin Society Journal, and as part of a research scholarship awarded in 2007-8 I had an article published in Clarinet and Saxophone. As an undergraduate, I was awarded two final year awards; the Janet Buckley Memorial Prize for Early Music, and the Frederick Niecks award for my BMus(Hons) dissertation. I am also the current holder of the Gray Scholarship awarded through the College of Arts, Culture and Enviroment to an outstanding PhD student.
I have also completed a number of museum skills courses whilst volunteering at the University of Edinburgh Collection of Historical Musical instruments; including one in disaster management.Furthermore, I also have a good High-School education, obtaining 3 A-levels, and 2 AS-levels, as well as having 13 ½ GCSEs including English (A, A*), Science (A,A,A) and Maths (B).
I have a reasonable working knowledge of German (A at GCSE), which has been developed, during my academic studies; and a basic understanding of French and Latin. My grounding in German grammar has been invaluable to me. I also enjoy the challenge of translating, as it improves both my skills in the language, and in my own English writing.
I have experience using Windows and Apple OSX, and the standard writing programmes; I am very experienced with using Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. I can touch-type in English and German.
I hold a certificate of Advanced Disclosure for the University of Edinburgh, issued by Disclosure Scotland.
PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT
January 2009 - Present: Tutor in Music Department, Universtity of Edinburgh Collection of Historical Musical Instruments
• Taking tutorials to support lectures in music history.
• Liasing between staff and students.
September 2008 - Present: Curatorial Assistant, Universtity of Edinburgh Collection of Historical Musical Instruments
• Experience in measuring and cataloguing instruments and technical drawing using AutoCAD.
• Experience in editing academic publications.
• Take guided tours of the St Cecilia’s Hall Museum, including the collections of historic keyboard instruments (comprising largely of the Russell and Mirrey collections) and interpreting the displays for visitors.
August 2005 –September 2008: Museum Volunteer, University of Edinburgh Collection of Historical Musical Instruments
• Take guided tours of the St Cecilia’s Hall Museum, including the collections of historic keyboard instruments (comprising largely of the Russell and Mirrey collections) and interpreting the displays for visitors.
• Assisting during conferences: duties have included dealing with/looking after participants, secretarial style work, and assisting with organisation and day to day running.
• Assisting with temporary and permanent exhibitions: involvement in the practical putting together and removal of exhibitions, observing the process of selecting instruments for display and interpreting the instruments for the public, and in the security and environmental arrangements required.
• Some experience in measuring instruments and technical drawing using AutoCAD.
Freelance work: As a freelance musician and musicologist, I have written programme notes for various ensembles/concert series including (most recent first) The Dunedin Consort, The Friends of St Cecilia’s Hall, The Georgian Concert Society, and the Manchester Camerata (whilst at School).
In August 2009, I was appointed Reviews Editor for Delphian Records.
As a member of the committee of the Friends of St Cecilia’s Hall, I have been responsible for the editing of their newsletter Soundboard as of September 2008.
April 2003- December 2005: Catering Assistant/Commis Chef, National Trust (Quarry Bank Mill)
Involving both front-of-house work and kitchen work. This involved dealing with the public on a day-to-day basis, as well as stock control and ordering.