ID
1134
Nationality
Scottish
British
Occupation
Percussionist
Musician
Summary
Born at Aberdeen, Scotland; resident of London. Began losing her hearing when she was 11 (another source says age 8); deaf within one year. Graduated from the Royal Academy of Music at age 19, with the Queen's Commendation for All-Around Excellence. London debut musical recital in 1986 as possibly the world's first full-time solo percussionist (drummer), hearing or deaf. Became a percussionist with the Royal Scottish Orchestra. Recorded several CD-ROMs of her percussionist music, and concertos were dedicated to her by composers Richard Rodney Bennett and others. She is also said to be herself a composer and pianist. Her autobiography is Good Vibrations.
References
Deaf Persons in the Arts and Sciences, p.146-148; Voices of the Oral Deaf, p.39-51; Silent News, Sept. 1990, p.3; Washington Post, Parade magazine, Feb. 13, 1994, p.18, 20-1; Living Legends, p.3-6; HiP Magazine, Sept./Oct. 1999, p.1, 8.
Dates
19 July 1965-