Here are a few of the recent projects and partnerships I’m proud to have been part of:
Sistema Cymru (Codi’r To): Developed the percussion ensemble curriculum for this music-based education initiative in Wales.
Dawns-i-Bawb: Worked as Dance Development Practitioner and freelance education designer for cross-arts packages.
Ffynci Jync: Performances and workshops using instruments made from recycled items – turning junk into joyful noise!
Bloco Sŵn: Founder and musical director of this vibrant carnival band that engages children in Brazilian rhythms.
Prosiect Ciwba: A community music project using traditional Cuban percussion and song to explore culture and collaboration.] [Could merge these into one because they are detailed elsewhere]
Welsh Language Charter Schools & Menter Iaith: Led Welsh-medium arts programmes that support language learning through rhythm and creativity.
International Projects: Worked on music and education initiatives in Brazil, Kenya, Germany, the USA, and across the UK
See below for more details of my interests, skills and experiences…
Community arts: groups of all ages and backgrounds
I have worked on youth projects in deprived areas of Brazil, Greater Manchester and Communities First areas in Wales. I have experience working with the Youth Offending Team, Probation Service and in pupil referral units, and have worked with special needs children and young people including working with Barnados and collaborative project with “Contact a Family”.
I design and facilitate health, well-being and bespoke education activities in the context of equal opportunities, having worked with various groups delivering activities that foster wellness and healthy lifestyle, including recently a local Parkinson’s group.
Arts practitioner: facilitator, advisor, collaboration, mentor
I use a range of artistic elements to create interactive learning opportunities, bringing people of all ages, background and abilities together to explore and express themselves through music and movement. At the core of my work is a desire to connect individuals through artistic, cultural and educational activities.
My work explores race relations, cultural origins, history and core academic skills, celebrating the diversity of traditional global cultures, whilst also embracing contemporary influences which bridge cultural divides. As well as creating bonds between people from different backgrounds through music and dance, I use the arts to approach academic cross-curricular learning.
Music: percussionist, band leader
As a percussionist I have performed extensively and internationally , including performances at Brecon and Manchester Jazz Festivals, carnivals in Europe and Brazil, club nights, street festivals, theatres and events.
Using traditional and electronic instruments during performances in a wide variety of settings, my influences include traditional styles as well as contemporary world music genres. I have worked with choreographed junk and body percussion, massed percussion groups, creative and theatre soundscapes and ambient music.
With a strong interest in latin percussion I have studied in Brazil and Cuba and specialises in folkloric and carnival styles including Rio samba, and rhythms from North Eastern Brazil, as well as Cuban carnival and folkloric rhythms.
Capoeira: teacher and practictioner
I hold the title of “Professor” with “Associação de Capoeira Senzala Santos” and run regular classes through his affiliated school “Capoeira Mocambo” in north Wales. www.capoeiramocambo.co.uk An important part of the affiliation is to maintain strong links with the parent school in Santos and running and coordinating international capoeira events.
Dance: performance, choreography
As a qualified capoeira teacher I encompasses the acrobatic, physicality and improvising nature of the art of capoeira in my practice, and used capoeira skills as a base for work in contemporary dance, site specific improvisation and physical theatre productions.
Having been involved in movement and dance performance since 2000, as well as performances, I also work with choreographers and have choreographed my own work. I have developed and choreographed an all male dance project – the “Urban Dance Collage” .
I have also managed projects for the North Wales Dance Collective including the 2012 projects “Moving Pathways” and “Casgliad”, and worked for many years as a freelance teacher and practitioner for Dawns i Bawb.
Work in Schools: bespoke projects, curriculum development
Delivering exciting creative music and movement projects and workshops in schools for over 20 years. Cross curricular activities with a focus on STEAM and Language. Tailored courses designed around Key stage curriculum elements to enhance learning within the curriculum framework.
Team building and corporate events
I have worked throughout the UK and internationally delivering immersive high energy workshop sessions in the corporate and business sectors. I have worked in a variety of settings, each activity tailored to suit the event and participants. Recent highlights include a mass drumming event in Wembley.
Teaching: workshops, specialist tutor, one to one
I run a variety of drum workshops across the North Wales area. From beginners Conga (hand drumming) to Rio samba workshops, develop your musicality, deepen your understanding of global percussion traditions, and discover the joy of making music in a group setting.
For more details about tailored lessons for individuals or small groups visit:
Languages
Based in north Wales, I work bilingually Welsh-English. With strong links to Brazil, through capoeira and music, you will also find me teaching through Portuguese, a smattering of Spanish, and even a bit of German – he ran community classes through the medium of German whilst resident in Kaiserslautern.