Louise completed an MEd in Learning and Teaching in the Performing Arts at RCS in 2020, focusing on dance, adolescents identifying as female and femininity.

During his time studying on the MEd course, he developed a key interest in enhancing independent learning skills in young people through coaching approaches. Christopher designed and created his own coaching model and digital coaching website as part of his studies and now uses these as part of his daily practice.

After a career as a professional dancer working and performing internationally, Hazel obtained a Masters of Education in Learning and Teaching in the Performing Arts from Royal Conservatoire Scotland, a first class Honours Degree in Dance (Distinction), qualified as a Primary school teacher and Secondary School Dance teacher. 

The combination of a performing arts background paired with an educational context has given Hazel’s practice a strong foundation of how to support students through a creative approach whilst understanding the pedagogy from an educational setting.

Currently working full-time in a primary school as an EYP,  she is now in the process of setting up a professional learning programme for early years educators based on the approach she explored and developed. Her aim is to make modern language learning a positive and rich experience for all learners to develop confidence and self-esteem through creativity and play.

Lindsey has established links with the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) as a consultant and examiner for the IBDP Music course and also delivers workshops to international schools on programme developments and course implementation. At the moment she is researching into new thinking on bespoke arts pathways for programme development such as Creative Industry Pathways (STEAM initiatives) for the MYP and IBDP programmes.

Alongside her roles in education, Lindsey is a flexible musician, a woodwind specialist and singer, passionate about contemporary, vocal jazz and world music. She has performed across the UK in her younger days, and across Europe, the Middle East and South East Asia in various ensembles throughout her years abroad. Her passion is collaborating with innovative and diverse musicians and artists who embrace cultural collaboration, fusing the western and world music genres. 

He was one of the founding directors of The National Theatre of Scotland, where he pioneered the “Theatre Without Walls” approach across Scotland and the rest of the world. Over 15 years with NTS he created a programme of genre defying participatory and professional arts projects as well as 3 international festivals.  Since leaving NTS in 2018, and forming “The Necessary Space” which he calls a “Theatre of Opportunity” his work has expanded globally and across different sectors.

He is currently engaged in projects in Brazil, India, Jamaica, Trinidad, Canada and of course Scotland. He was one of the first people in the UK to receive a National Endowment of Science, Technology and Arts (NESTA) “international cultural leadership award.” He is a director, writer, coach, mentor, keynote speaker and most recently, a documentary film maker. He works on epic and intimate scales creating projects for social change and has mentored and supported executives, boards and global networks in re-visioning and repurposing their brands and operations. He co designed the Culture Collective for Creative Scotland and the Scottish Government, he designed a global network of hubs for the International Teaching Artists Collaborative, he co founded Artsi-(Art for social innovation) and has worked extensively with British Council in setting up projects and strategies across many regions. 

With two decades of experience as a versatile director and theatre maker for young audiences, Clara has produced compelling performances both in Scotland and on the international stage, authentically resonating with the lived experiences of the youth and addressing relevant social-political issues. Clara holds the distinction of being a Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts and the Higher Educational Academy, as well as an Arts for Good Fellow for the Singapore International Foundation as well as being Associate for the Royal Society for Public Health. 

As he continues to write, teach and perform, mostly he appreciates his work for the many inspiring people it allows him to meet.

In this podcast Tawona discusses the following values:

• Kuwanda huuya – the more we are the more we have
• Kudzidza hakuperi – learning is never exhausted
• Dzinonzwa hadzirimi – ears don’t farm the field but they are working

She completed an MEd in Learning and Teaching in the Performing Arts at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in 2022. Her final project centred on LGBT Inclusive Education: how pupil voice can impact teachers’ understanding of the need for inclusive practice in schools. Her research interests lie in learner autonomy, diversity, equality, and inclusion.

In 2024, he will join as a fellow with The After School program of the Center for Arts, Design, and Social Research. He believes in the transformative power of the arts as a centering place for healing, recovery, and renewal of courage

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Mairi Gillies is a visual artist, educator and a Gaelic woman from the Lowlands of Scotland. Her practice is rooted within her deep connections to her home in the Gaeltachd. Currently she is living and working on Scotland's Isle of Lewis. 

Gavin is the founder and current Artistic Director of Active Inquiry in Edinburgh. Before setting up Active Inquiry, Gavin worked as a freelance drama worker and as Research Assistant at the Centre for Community Arts Research and Practice at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh. Gavin has over 20 years’ experience of running both small and large-scale community arts projects. As well as a project manager he is also an established workshop leader and theatre director. He has trained with Augusto Boal, Julian Boal and Barbara Santos and is the leading expert in the Theatre of the Oppressed in Scotland. He is currently working on a long term project, called Drama for Democracy, which is exploring how theatre spaces can be used as sites for participatory democracy in Scotland.