Shoz's Palace

Well, if you don't know me, then my name is Shona and I am 20 years old and I come from a small town in North Ayrshire called West Kilbride which is located on the South West Coast of Scotland.   

I started playing the violin when I was in primary 5, so I was about 8 or 9.  I played classical for a few years and the I was introduced to Scottish Traditional music and have never looked back since!!  I don't have much of an interest in classical music but I like some light stuff.  I like all the common pieces like Pachobel's Canon, Ashokan Farewell and Schindler's List.

I play in my sisters ceilidh band most weekends and we play for weddings, ceilidh's, country dances, etc.  I really enjoy playing Scottish Music and my advice to everyone is... DON'T KNOCK IT 'TIL YOU'VE TRIED IT!

My sister and I playing.

I studied for a year at college for an HNC in Music Performance in Benbecula as part of Lews Castle College.  I loved every minute up there and sometimes wish I could go back.  I made some great friends up there and I had a brilliant time.  I had many fiddle tutors throughout the year including:  Angus Grant Snr, Angus Grant Jnr, Gabe MacVarish, Ronan Martin, Charlie McKerron, Gordon Gunn, and Allan Henderson, Louise MacKenzie.  The list will grow.

I am currently in my second year at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow studying for a BA (Hons) in Scottish Music.  It's great fun... until the work load gets piled on!   I have met some great people on this course!  And, for once, we all have the same interest in music!  YAS!!!!  No longer do people laugh at me when I tell them that I play Scottish music.  Everyone in Scotland should be proud to be Scottish and be proud of their countries music too and not laugh at people that play it!! 

I love going out with my friends and going to the cinema and shopping with them!  I also like going out drinking... what student dosen't, eh?   It's so hard when I'm coming up to Glasgow everyday not to just go shopping instead of going to class!  When it comes to shopping I probably spend far too much compaired to any other student.  I may as well just take out a share in Dorothy Perkins because I'm convinced it's me that keeping them in business the amount I buy from there!  Lol!