MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2017: Emma Tomlinson

Congratulations to Emma Tomlinson who have been nominated in Music Tutor of the Year sponsored by Creative Scotland Youth Music Initiative in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2017. Vote now!

We asked Emma Tomlinson of Emma Tomlinson the following questions.

Tell us about yourself
I am a musician who lives in Glasgow. My work is multi-portfolio including freelance playing, composing, researching and teaching. I play the viola and violin in both folk and classical traditions and I am a founding member of The Routes Quartet. Alongside my freelance playing career I am also a research student at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland focusing on the viola in traditional music (PhD candidate). My teaching involves the following on a weekly basis, upper strings and fiddle tuition for East Ayrshire Music Service (3 days a week up to 90 students a week), director of East Ayrshire Council's Folk Ensemble, Junior String Group and Senior String Group, 12 private students, Junior and Senior class tutor at Glasgow Fiddle Workshop. Throughout the year I give workshops including organising and leading The Routes Quartet workshops across Scotland, leading 'How to Practice' and fiddle workshops for Feis Gleann Albainn. I am also part of the Monster Trad team which brings students across the country to play the same trad repertoire. I set up the Ayrshire Traditional Music Summer School and teach on that each summer with guest tutors from across Scotland. I have also been a tutor at the Tinto Tasters Summer School and Senior Tutor for the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland MusicWorks program in Dumfries.

Why are you involved in Scottish music?
My love for Scottish Music began several years ago when I packed my viola and fiddle and headed to the Highlands to the legendary Fort Augustus music weekend; Feis Gleann Albainn. Six months later I moved to Scotland from my home city of Liverpool to fully immerse myself in the vibrant Scottish Trad Music Scene. I now have a multi-portfolio career including performing, research, teaching and composing.

Any particular career highlights?
Founding The Routes Quartet in 2014 and the release of our debut album 'Windrose' in Spring 2017, the very successful album launch and tour. My Ayrshire Traditional Music Summer School has been a highlight as it's created an exciting annual event for music students of Ayrshire to engage with a host of highly experienced musicians and tutors. Becoming a research student at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland to pursue a practical based PhD researching how the viola is used and could be used in Scottish Traditional Music.

What are your plans for the future?
To continue to facilitate the engagement of young musicians with trad music and to find new ways to help young people benefit from music. To continue exploring the viola in terms of performance, collaboration and composition within trad music.

If you would like to come along to the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards in Paisley’s Lagoon Centre call 0300 300 1210 or to buy online visit www.paisley2021.co.uk/events/the-mg-alba-scots-trad-music-awards. Tickets can also be purchased via Paisley Arts Centre. Bands performing on Saturday 2nd December include Elephant Sessions, The Shee Big Band, Siobhan Miller, Tidelines, Paisley Fèis, Snuffbox, The Seamus O’Sullivan Experience, Lori Watson, Jenna Reid and Harris Playfair, Songs of Bàrd Phàislig (featuring Gillebrìde MacIlleMhaoil, Sìneag MacIntyre, Màiri NicAonghais, Seonaidh MacIntyre, Ewan MacPherson, Mhairi Hall, Màiri Nic a Mhaoilein and more to be announced. There will also be a late night ceilidh after the Awards till 1am.