About

Musical background...

Since graduating from Music college in 2004, Chris’ professional musical life consists of a busy schedule, balancing regular performances at weddings, hotels and restaurants, special occasions, solo concerts, charity events, residential homes, and performing with his beloved Rhos Male Voice choir, plus teaching in two youth music centres and - more recently - an invite to teach peripatetically across schools in the (former) West Glamorgan County.

Varied, musical activity has long been a part of his musical ‘upbringing’, and has been fundamental developing what has long been recognised, his exceptional musicality.

Principally a clarinettist, his love of music and hands on approach have seen him develop numerous other instruments and varied styles. Instruments such as electric, classical and slide guitar, mandolin, mandola, saxophone, violin and more recently the flute, as well as a natural vocal ability regularly appear in his large repertoire. Today this spans Classical to classic pops/rock, Crooning/jazz standards to Traditional Welsh.

Initially classically trained on the Clarinet, Violin and Piano, from the age of 3 his early development was essential founding a love for various types of music.

Chris around the world...

Chris’ musical ability has also enabled him to tour the world...

New York, Boston, Toronto, Melbourne, Adelaide, Edinburgh, Glasgow (between 1996-99 with Neath and West Glamorgan Youth Wind Bands).

EU funded trips (CMW project see below) to Amsterdam, La paz capital of Bolivia, and Bogota capital of Columbia,showcasing in Brussels EU parliament (between 1998-2000).
As well as an EU funded ‘ERASMUS’ exchange in his 3rd year of Music Colllege to study in Vilnius’, Lithuanian Academy of Music (2003)
More recently, with the vast growth of tourism and hotels in Dubai and subsequent need for corporate entertainment, Chris is planning to continue his travel in the near future.

Amongst Chris’ time with Community Music Wales, both in Amsterdam (1998) and South America (2000), he was expected to participate with groups from Finland, Netherlands, Bolivia and Columbia, in creating a music/theatre production. All performers were young, and most had grown up in poverty. Their production was directed and organised for all members to express, share and most importantly learn about poverty and its effects. The final project was presented in youth prisons, all three cities main squares, with a final performance in the EU parliament.

Chris’ musical training...

Gorseinon College 1999-2001 (with its award winning music department),
Dartington College of Arts (gaining BA Hons Music) 2001-2004
EU funded exchange programme to the Lithuanian academy of Music (2003)

Other Grants, Scholarships and Bursaries for development/training...

EU grant of £1500 through Gorseinon College for a new clarinet (2000).
Llandaff Summer Music Course (’96-7, Princes Trust),
Dartington International Summer School, (2002 & 05, Internationally renowned David Campbell (DC)),
Aberystwyth Music Festival (DC, 2003 & 05),
Benslow Music Trust (2004, Internationally renowned clarinettists Margaret Archibald, DC and Ian Scott),
The clarinet summer school, Hope University (2006, Internationally renowned Philippe Cuper, WNO’s Leslie Craven and Andrew Roberts)
Further lessons and masterclasses with David Campbell and Kevin Banks

Chris has gained extra orchestral experience performing with the Welsh National Youth Opera (Mikado). He was also involved in the Youth theatre production of ‘Pirates’ by ex-Dartington College of Arts graduate, Helen Woods at the New Theatre Cardiff (2000).