Alumni

Ruby Rendall Mackay

Founder of the Chalmers Mackay Music School 1997. Educated at Stromness Academy, the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama Glasgow, St Andrews University. Specialising in Piano, Voice and Oboe.

Career mainly centred round teaching, stage performance, composing, broadcasting, and charity work. Loves dogs and cats. Looking after grandchildren.

Phil Allen

I started getting guitar lessons at Chalmers Mackay in 2003 and it was undoubtedly one of the most important and influential steps for me in my career as a musician. This is thanks to, firstly the great one-on-one tuition I received - from my tutor Stuart - which inspired me and fanned the flames of my love for the guitar. On top of this I was invited to join the bands program to jam with other musicians my age and through this gained invaluable experience playing live at various Chalmers Mackay concerts and charity events. A few years later I was delighted to be asked to join the teaching staff as a guitar tutor and while studying for an ATCL Music Teaching Diploma at Aberdeen College, built up a large number of students myself and ran the bands program for a couple of years. I spent around 8 years in total as a student and tutor here and throughout that time also gained fantastic experience performing with both student and tutor bands around Scotland and all over the world. In my time as part of the Chalmers Mackay family, I was lucky enough to perform in Ireland, Orkney, Sweden(twice!), and Colorado.

After leaving Chalmers I went on to Edinburgh Napier University and in 2015 I graduated with a BA Popular Music (1st Class Honours) and really enjoyed the chance to push myself academically again, as well as the experience of living in a new city where I developed my music network. Through those new contacts I was able to form a function band - The Jets - whom I still work with to this day and over the last 10 years we have had great success as one of the most in-demand wedding/function bands in Scotland. As well as performing with my band, since 2018 I have also been employed by Albyn School as their guitar teacher where I provide one-on-one lessons to students ranging from primary to secondary school age. Whenever I'm not teaching or gigging I spend my time being a father to my 2yo son Ruairidh.

Chalmers Mackay Music School provided the foundations for me to build my career as an educator and live musician and I am honoured to write this testimonial for that reason. On this 25th Anniversary year I have no doubt with the same passion for education and live music it will only go from strength to strength for the next 25 years. See you in 2048 for the golden anniversary!

Liam Flaherty

I first attended the music school in my early teens for drum and guitar lessons. Through the school’s band programme I joined the Celtic rock band, The Ceilidh Peppers. This gave me my first taste of playing in a band and touring which ultimately lead to my career choice. Whilst playing with the band I discovered an interest in the technical side of live music which Ruby and Sandy helped me learn and explore. Once I left school I went to university to study music performance and recording before doing a masters in sound production. Whilst I was at university I began working in various music venues as a sound engineer. This lead me onto working with some audio rental companies and then moving into touring full-time. I now get to travel all over the world with some amazing artists and do a job I truly love. Were it not for the incredible teaching, opportunities and encouragement I received at Chalmers Mackay Music School, I definitely wouldn’t be where I am today!

Ceilidh Peppers

Formed in 2006 by Ruby Mackay, the Peppers Toured abroad as far as Amal Sweden 2006, Colorado USA, 2006, and Stromness Shopping Week 2009. Ireland 2011. Played at Edinburgh Castle for an International Conference Delegation. As well as playing at local ceilidhs around the North East of Scotland.

Scott Jamieson

I was lucky enough to be involved with Chalmers Mackay Music School from a young age. I began taking piano lessons at age 10, learning important fundamentals of music and music theory. Although piano at a young age was beneficial, my heart was set on learning drum kit, and I pursued this throughout my teenage years.

Ruby noticed my enthusiasm for performing music and quickly had me involved in multiple ensembles. As a teenager, my music taste rarely stretched beyond any form of rock – Ruby had me involved in ceilidh and jazz ensembles hosted through the school, performing my first professional gigs and playing in festivals in across Scotland and Sweden.

I have lived in Edinburgh since graduating from Edinburgh Napier University, quickly becoming involved with the local music scene and working as a professional musician. I have performed regularly with many artists and projects in the almost 10 (yikes!) years since graduating, regularly playing venues and festivals across the UK and beyond. My performance experience via Ruby and the school prior to moving south was invaluable, preparing me for working in many different styles.

Chalmers Mackay was also my first teaching job, with Ruby trusting me to start tutoring at the school at a young age. Acting as a mentor, this gave me invaluable experience and majorly benefitted my future prospects in this field. I have now taught at many schools and music schools across Scotland including Strathallan School, St Mary’s School and Border School of Music, and currently teach drum kit and percussion at schools across Scottish Borders Council.

I’m currently performing with funk band James Brown is Annie, soul outfit The Tomorrow Band (often featuring Hamish Stuart), neo-soul act Atom Eyes and jazz brass band Saltire Street Band, as well as regular freelance work.

Joe Whiteman

Joe started learning violin at Chalmers Mackay Music School under the tuition of Ruth Hardie. He specialised in Scottish fiddle music and played in the school's successful ceilidh band The Ceilidh Peppers and celtic rock band Celtallica. With Chalmers Mackay, Joe took part in several overseas music tours including gigs in Sweden, Ireland and the USA. After leaving school he studied music at the University of Aberdeen and worked as a tutor for Chalmers Mackay teaching violin, piano and voice.

His musical interests broadened whilst at university with experience gained in musical theatre, opera, orchestral percussion playing and choral singing. Highlights of his university career include choir tours of Belarus, Poland and Northern Ireland, playing a principal role in the Aberdeen Student Show production of "Mary Torphins", and playing the gong for the Queen at the opening of the new university library. Following his graduation from the university Joe was awarded the "Derek Ogston Award" for services to the music department, which was a great honour. After this he traveled down to Guildford in Surrey to do a masters degree in Musical Theatre Performance.

Joe graduated a year later with Distinction and was signed on to an agent. His musical theatre career took him to America to work for a year as a singer in Branson, Missouri. On top of his American adventure Joe had performances in London and Edinburgh for various new musicals. Now Joe works as a performer and a teacher based in Perth and Kinross. He teaches violin and singing for the Instrumental Service and performs in Edinburgh as a fiddler for the "Spirit of Scotland Show".