http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GARAXvzXT58 The last 3 years To update you on my musical life over the last three years: I studied BA Music at Oxford University between October 2014 and June 2017. My time at Oxford was a life-shaping experience. (But then isn’t everything that we do a life-shaping experience?) I gained a tonne of musical knowledge; … Continue reading Who Am I? Christmas 2017 update
Blog
World Mental Health Day 2017: The Role of Music
Hello! First of all, I’m so sorry for neglecting this blog for the last two years. An update is long overdue and is in the pipeline. For now I’d like to write a brief post. Today (10 October 2017) is World Mental Health Day. Over the past few years, I have become increasingly interested in … Continue reading World Mental Health Day 2017: The Role of Music
What I Learned from Chilly Gonzales
The other week I met, played for and hugged Chilly Gonzales, a man whom 24 hours previously I did not know existed but of whom I am now an avid fan. Attending his gig with the Kaiser Quartet and their masterclass the following day has changed the way I think about music. Here is how. … Continue reading What I Learned from Chilly Gonzales
I travelled from Oxford to Caen for free… Wait, what?!
On the weekend of 7th-8th February, my friend Julian and I took part in Oxford Jailbreak 2015, an event in which teams of 2 or 3 students have 36 hours in which to get as far away from Oxford as possible without spending any of their own money, in order to raise money for charity … Continue reading I travelled from Oxford to Caen for free… Wait, what?!
A few thoughts since Uganda
Several weeks have passed now since I left Uganda, and my time there is sadly beginning to feel like a distant memory. For a while my normality was so firmly in Uganda that I felt like a stranger in my own city and in my own country. For a short time I woke up every … Continue reading A few thoughts since Uganda
Goodbye and thank you!
I have now arrived home after an incredible 4 weeks teaching music at Tender Talents Magnet School, Kasangati, Uganda. It was amazing beyond anything that I could have imagined. The experience of teaching was incredible. I witnessed the students grow as musicians and as people, and I too have grown as a person and as … Continue reading Goodbye and thank you!
Dancing, marriage and a trip to Kaka’s
(Please bear in mind that this post was written on Tuesday 9th September but I haven't managed to upload it until now. I have actually now left Uganda. I will give you an update on my last few days in Uganda as soon as possible.) And indeed there has been more excitement! I forgot to … Continue reading Dancing, marriage and a trip to Kaka’s
A Craft Village, a 7th Birthday, a Choir Competition and a trip to Kampala Music School and M-Lisada
Wow, Iʼve been very busy! Last Sunday (24th August) I had a day out in Kampala with Sharon (Frankʼs eldest daughter). First we went to a service at Watoto Church Central which was amazing! It was totally different to a typical service at home. A band of an electric keyboard, an electric guitar, a bass guitar and a … Continue reading A Craft Village, a 7th Birthday, a Choir Competition and a trip to Kampala Music School and M-Lisada
My teaching routine and a trip to M-Lisada and the Mummy Foundation
(Please bear in mind that I wrote this post on Saturday 23rd but was unable to upload it straight away because there was a power cut.) I'm really enjoying my time here. Every day brings something new and the students are making rapid progress. I now have five permanent violin classes: beginners 1 (primary-school-aged), beginners … Continue reading My teaching routine and a trip to M-Lisada and the Mummy Foundation
Matooke, violin classes and Scottish singing
Iʼve been having a lovely time here! The teaching is very enjoyable and rewarding, and everyone is so friendly and welcoming. I was met at the airport by Frank Katoula, the Director of Tender Talents, his wife Brenda and their children Ruben (8 years old) and Grace (6 years old). It would usually be a 2-hour drive from … Continue reading Matooke, violin classes and Scottish singing
Isla Ratcliff 
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