Folkworks Summer School 2024 - Tutor Biographies
Grace Smith
Grace is a dedicated music educator and is in high demand as a tutor. She is the Musical Director for the 2024 Folkworks Summer School. She has taught in many settings for a wide range of ages and abilities, including for National Youth Folk Ensemble, Newcastle University, Fosbrook Folk Education Trust, North East Fiddle School, Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Company, Band on the Wall, and music hubs across the country. Grace is committed to always developing her teaching practice through learning. As a performer, her band, the Grace Smith Trio, released their debut album Overleaf in Autumn 2023 which has had a great critical reception. In their review of Overleaf, Folk Radio UK said; “If you’re looking for the exciting future of instrumental folk music, you need search no further.” She is also part of French-inspired dance band, Cri du Canard, and since spring 2022, Grace has been playing fiddle with Katie Doherty & the Navigators.
Jon Doran
Jon Doran is a multi-instrumentalist and educator from the UK. He was a 2019 finalist on BBC Radio 2’s Young Folk Awards and a recent winner of Bromyard Folk Festival’s ‘Future of Folk’ competition. Best known for his work in the award winning folk duo Janice Burns & Jon Doran, they’ve toured extensively throughout the UK and received high praise for their latest album No More the Green Hills, which found its place in the Official UK Folk Chart. R&R describes it as ‘superb’, ‘Great singing, fantastic harmonies, and very sympathetic backing’, It also gained airplay on stations such as BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio Scotland, and a live session for BBC Radio 3. His new trio Jon Doran & The Northern Assembly are quickly following in these tracks with their upcoming debut EP.
Jon’s sensitive approach to arranging and performing traditional songs on guitar and Irish bouzouki is often said to draw a likeness with revivalists Nic Jones and Andy Irvine. He has a powerful and intricate accompaniment style but never fails to place the narrative at the forefront of his arrangements. After a year of studying Norwegian fiddle technique in Universitetet I Sørøst-Norge, it’s clear his influences don’t solely lie within the confines of the British Isles.
As an educator, Jon is committed to focusing on the individual needs of the musician. He’s a much sought after teacher and a dedicated workshop leader at festivals and residentials including Cambridge Folk Festival’s Hub Band, Halsway Manor, Newcastle University, and he’s the current musical director of Morpeth’s Voicemale choir.
Amy Leach
Amy Leach is a traditional singer from Edinburgh. She loves big ballads and odd songs found down the back of the sofa. She learnt from some amazing tradition bearers and singers whilst studying on the Folk Degree at Newcastle University and has sung with The Lindie Quartet, The Flyting and can now be found singing with Alasdair Paul. She’s also a choir leader and loves the sound when people really give it laldie and sing together.
Sam Partridge
Sam Partridge is a concert-timber flute player who has performed across many platforms and stages in the UK, and internationally, appearing in various line-ups and ensembles. Primarily seen playing with the instrumental sextet, Pons Aelius, Sam is also a member of French dance band Cri du Canard, and plays Guitar and English Concertina in the Grace Smith Trio. An accomplished composer, frequently contributing his efforts to the folk repertoire, he is also a renowned and sought-after educator in his roles as a Newcastle University Folk Degree flute tutor, and the Artistic Director of the National Youth Folk Ensemble (2019-2023).
Sarah Hayes
Sarah Hayes is a singer, flautist and keyboard player from Northumberland. Based in Glasgow since 2005, she leads a busy and varied musical life performing, writing and recording with Admiral Fallow, Field Music, Andrew Wasylyk, Rachel Newton, You Tell Me and more. Sarah released her debut album Woven - a studio recording of her Celtic Connections New Voices commission – to widespread acclaim in 2015. She is a member of songwriting and production collective Hen Hoose and in 2023 composed the music for Hold Fast, a circus show created in collaboration with Superfan Performance. Sarah teaches privately and in community settings, and has been a tutor for Folkworks Summer Schools, National Youth Folk Ensemble, Tinto Summer School, Edinburgh Youth Gaitherin’ and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
Tom Kimber
Tom is a Northumberland based multi-instrumentalist, who specialises in fretted strings and is best known for playing mandolin, tenor guitar and tenor banjo.
Originally from Bath, he moved to Newcastle in 2011 to study Folk and Traditional music at Newcastle University. After graduating in 2015, he won the renowned Danny Kyle award at Celtic Connections festival in Glasgow with his band, Pons Aelius, which was formed during his time on the degree. With Pons Aelius and Assembly Lane, he has released numerous albums and performed at venues and festivals in the UK and Europe.
Tom is a dedicated educator and is a regular instrumental tutor at Newcastle University and National Youth Folk Ensemble. He also leads North East based Yellow Rattle Band and Hexham Bluegrass, as well as providing online tuition and workshops.
