Staff
Staff - Full Time
SHAARON GRAHAM - Principal and Artistic Director
Shaaron studied Philosophy, English Literature and Drama at the University of Glasgow. After founding GAMTA together with Stuart in 1994, she assumed the role of Artistic Director in 1996 with the innovative production of the new Vince Hill musical 'Zodiac'. Since then she has directed a wide range of productions including Christmas panto, Studio showcases and Musicals. As well as directing the Academy's varied productions, Shaaron is Principal of the School managing the team on a daily basis.
CHRISTOPHER BRECKENRIDGE - Singing & Voice Tutor
Christopher is a B.Mus(Hons.) graduate of The University of Glasgow, where he specialised in performance with subsidiary subjects including: editing techniques; notation; performance practice; and composition. Christopher spent several years performing throughout Europe with ensembles including Collegium Vocale, Gent, the Choir of la Chapelle Royale, The Jugend Chor in Mainz, and Scottish Opera. Christopher was Head of Singing at Radley College in Oxford for four years, and also worked at La Sainte Union and Birds College in London, and as a free-lance teacher and voice coach in Glasgow and London. He is also a member of staff for NYCoS.
Staff - Part Time
IRVIN DUGUID - Musical Director and Arranger (Visiting Staff)
Irvin trained at the RSAMD in Glasgow. He has worked all over the world as a pianist/keyboard player in many different guises, from rock groups to music theatre, and many things in between.
Stiltskin, GUN, Fish (ex Marillion) and Ray Wilson (ex Genesis) are some of the acts Irvin has worked with, as well as a brief spell with Paolo Nutini just before he shot to international fame.
Music theatre work includes playing piano on full UK tours of Jesus Christ Superstar, The Full Monty, The Producers, The Wedding Singer, and Footloose, as well as deputizing on shows such as Sunset Boulevard, Miss Saigon, Beauty and the Beast, The King & I, and most recently Cats.
Irvin has acted as Music Director for many other theatre shows in Scotland with Elaine C Smith, Brenda Cochrane and Dean Park, as well as 15 Scottish pantomimes including 6 at Eden Court in Inverness and 6 at The Kings in Glasgow.
Irvin has composed original scores for several short films, many of which have been aired at various film festivals all over the globe, such as the 2006 Nokia Shorts nominated Tarot. In 2007 Irvin produced, arranged and played on the the first ever album of Christmas songs in the Gaelic language entitled Duan Nollaig. He was also M.D. on the live concert version of Duan Nollaig for Midas Multimedia Productions, aired on STV.
As well as tours of The Wedding Singer and Footloose, 2008 saw Irvin compiling a book of the Duan Nollaig songs, appearing in concert with John Barrowman at the Faenol Festival in North Wales, appearing as M.D. on an episode of Dear Green Place (Effingee Productions) and assisting on Highland Heartbeat (PBS America) starring Fiona Kennedy.
KENNEDY AITCHISON - Musical Director and Arranger (Visiting Staff)
Acclaimed as one of the top musicians in the UK, Kennedy's career has spanned two decades. During that time, he has worked at the top level of the entertainment industry as a musical director for theatre, film and television, and has conducted and played with some of the most famous orchestras in Britain. He is in great demand as a pianist, arranger, orchestrator and music producer.
His theatre credits include: Musical Director in London's West End and touring productions of Jesus Christ Superstar, Cats, The Beautiful Game and Saturday Night Fever, working for Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sir Cameron MacIntosh and Robert Stigwood. He was also Assistant Musical Director on the Emmy award winning movie of Jesus Christ Superstar. He recently toured the US, Canada, Mexico and Europe as Musical Director with Irish dance phenomenon Riverdance. He has also played principal keyboard in major productions of Joseph, Evita, White Christmas, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Sunset Boulevard.
Kennedy has an impressive list of television credits, working as musical director, music associate and pianist on countless network television programmes including ‘Only Fools and Horses’, Noel’s House Party’ and ‘The Big, Big Talent Show’. He worked for four years on the BBC's top rated Saturday night talent show, "Opportunity Knocks" - the precursor to today's X Factor and Pop Idol.
Kennedy has also worked with some of the top names in popular music - The Three Degrees, The Supremes, Randy Crawford, Shirley Bassey, The Drifters, Martha Reeves and Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes. He also had the pleasure of working with country star Nanci Griffith, conducting the Orchestra of Scottish Opera in a live performance of her acclaimed album "The Dust Bowl Symphony".
Recent projects include performing as principal keyboard on the UK tour of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ and Musical Director and arranger on ‘Highland Heartbeat’, a new Scottish TV special to be broadcast coast to coast on the PBS network in the US.
Future projects include touring the UK and Europe in 2009 with Jeff Wayne’s War of the Worlds. He is delighted to be involved in this year’s GAMTA panto production.
"An Outstanding Pianist" Michael Tumelty, The Herald.
PHILIPPA CLARK - Drama Tutor
Philippa is a BA (Hons) graduate of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, where she trained on the Contemporary Theatre Practise course specialising in performance; also gaining experience as an educator and director. Before coming to Glasgow Philippa established herself as a freelance performer and workshop leader working for companies such as Northern Stage and West Yorkshire Playhouse. Philippa has performed, devised and directed in other major venues and educational establishments in Newcastle, Leeds, London, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
EMILY JANE BOYLE - Choreographer
Emily Jane trained at the Dance School of Scotland, London Studio Centre and Steps on Broadway, NYC.
Theatre credits include: Seven Deadly Sins (Sadlers Wells), Night 1000 Voices, A Tribute to Trevor Nunn (Albert Hall), Opera North's Petrushka (UK Tour), Giving In (Cottier Theatre), Jazz Art UK's Messin' Round Midnight (Edinburgh Fringe), Scottish Ballet's Peter Pan, La Sylphide (UK Tour), On The Town (ENO Colosseum), Kismet (ENO Colosseum) and Imagine This (New London Theatre). EJ has worked extensively in film and television, as well as a busy schedule choreographing for various events and productions. She also teaches jazz at Mountview Theatre School, London.
MATT MALTHOUSE - Choreographer
Matt trained at the Dance School of Scotland, Arts Ed London and Steps on Broadway, NYC. Theatre credits include: Edward in Edward Scissorhands (UK Tour, US Tour, Australia, Paris, Athens and Saddlers Wells), Carman (UK Tour), Mary Poppins (London), Anything Goes (London), On Your Toes (London), Beauty and the Beast (UK Tour) and Tabaluga & Lili (Germany). Matt continues to work extensively in the profession and also teaches Jazz at Mountview Theatre School, London.
RHONA CLELAND - Choreographer
After appearing as a Babe in 'Babes in the Wood' at 15 year old, Rhona swiftly moved into professional dance appearing in numerous theatre and television productions, including performances alongside the great Stanley Baxter. After hanging up her dancing shoes, she continued to work as a choreographer and has to date worked on over 30 productions. Additionally, Rhona has worked extensively in the commercial circuit including her shortest ever piece for a Kwik Fit ad! She is still in high demand today.
IAN MCLEOD - Dance
Ian danced with Royal Ballet and worked extensively around the world before moving into teaching and choreography. Ian delivers the jazz program and conditioning class here at GAMTA.
JULIE SINCLAIR - Dance
After gaining Distinction in both ISTD and RAD Teaching exams Julie worked in various dance schools across Scotland. In 1993 she became Principal Teacher in Dance Academy. In 2001 Julie began working in her first teaching position of vocational students at Ecosse Performers, from there she became a tutor for the Royal Academy of Dance, tutoring professional dancers who wanted to train as teachers on their CBTS and BA Honours Degree Programmes. Julie has now joined the faculty of GAMTA teaching syllabus and technique classes.
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