Workshops & Masterclasses
In addition to concert performances, James and Emma are able to offer participatory jazz violin and guitar workshops to all ages and abilities. This could be anything from a basic introduction to improvisation to a specialised masterclass on specific guitar and violin improvisation styles and techniques.
James Birkett (Ph.D., BMus(Hons), GDPLM, Cert. Ed., FHEA )
A Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, James has experience of teaching music at all levels and in all contexts (school, college and university - from beginner to professional levels). From 1986 – 2011, he developed and led the pioneering Graduate Diploma and BMus (Hons) degree programmes in Jazz, Popular and Commercial Music in the North East. He is currently Director of Jazz for the Youth Music Programme and Artistic Advisor: Jazz, Popular and Contemporary Music for The Centre for Advanced Training at The Sage, Gateshead.
Emma Fisk (MMus, BA Hons, LTCL)
Emma has 20 years of experience in teaching violin; music workshops; vocational popular music courses and Foundation Degrees in Music and Performing Arts. As a minority instrumentalist in the world of jazz she is passionate about introducing young string players to violin improvisation. While her current performance practice focusses on early jazz, Emma also has experience of free improvisation, North Indian classical music, rock, country music and electro-acoustic composition incorporating improvisation, all of which inform her approach to teaching and leading workshops.
James Birkett (Ph.D., BMus(Hons), GDPLM, Cert. Ed., FHEA )
A Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, James has experience of teaching music at all levels and in all contexts (school, college and university - from beginner to professional levels). From 1986 – 2011, he developed and led the pioneering Graduate Diploma and BMus (Hons) degree programmes in Jazz, Popular and Commercial Music in the North East. He is currently Director of Jazz for the Youth Music Programme and Artistic Advisor: Jazz, Popular and Contemporary Music for The Centre for Advanced Training at The Sage, Gateshead.
Emma Fisk (MMus, BA Hons, LTCL)
Emma has 20 years of experience in teaching violin; music workshops; vocational popular music courses and Foundation Degrees in Music and Performing Arts. As a minority instrumentalist in the world of jazz she is passionate about introducing young string players to violin improvisation. While her current performance practice focusses on early jazz, Emma also has experience of free improvisation, North Indian classical music, rock, country music and electro-acoustic composition incorporating improvisation, all of which inform her approach to teaching and leading workshops.
