I am an experienced educator, academic developer, researcher and arts practitioner, with more than 30 years of teaching experience across higher, secondary, and primary education. Throughout my teaching career I have been committed to widening participation, supporting learner progression and creating accessible pathways into education through the arts. My professional practice combines extensive performing and teaching experience with expertise in curriculum development, learner support, educational innovation and community engagement.

I hold a PhD awarded jointly by the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) and the University of St Andrews, a Postgraduate Diploma in Music Teaching in Professional Practice, and a BA in Education Studies. I am a Fellow of Advance HE (FHEA) and hold the UK Council for Graduate Education Recognised Associate Supervisor Award. These qualifications are supported by extensive experience in both formal and non-formal educational settings.

 I have extensive experience and demonstrated success as an arts educator. I have supervised postgraduate students on the MEd Learning and Teaching in the Arts programme at RCS, and I have more than 25 years' experience as a music teacher working across Scottish secondary and primary schools. My teaching experience spans individual tuition, small-group learning, whole-class teaching, curriculum delivery, assessment and learner support. I have a strong and well-developed understanding of Fair Access to Higher Education in Scotland through direct involvement in Fair Access initiatives at RCS.

Over the course of my career, I have worked and collaborated internationally, supporting learners and colleagues from diverse educational, linguistic, and cultural backgrounds. This experience continues to inform my approach to communication, teaching, and professional development.

My areas of interest include:

• academic development

• online and hybrid learning

• digital pedagogy

• professional learning and mentoring

• research supervision and academic writing support

• curriculum and course development

My approach is practical, collaborative, and learner-centred, with an emphasis on building confidence, clarity, and sustainable professional growth.