It’s been a year of massive changes here at Happy Willow Studio. We first got a peak at our new studio space in September 2021 when it was being used as storage, piled high, home to mice and full of cobwebs. A very old barn, originally used for cattle, we decided to try and transform it into a studio and home. We started by binge watching George Clarke’s, ‘Old House New Home’ and every other makeover programme on TV. Then with a lot of help from our amazing family, friends, the talented folk of St Columb, and plenty of blood, sweat, tears and money, two years later we are officially in the studio (although the rest of our home is still on the go)! Big shout out to Marcus, Mike, Graham J, Ngaire, Steve, Jamie and Graham M who have worked incredibly hard on the design and build and are an incredibly talented bunch, we are so grateful!
In January 2023 at the same time as we started building, I left my full time role as a Secondary Head of Music, having worked full time in Secondary schools for around 14 years. One year later I am now fully self employed teaching 1-2-1 music lessons, running an art group, working as the North Cornwall Primary and Community Music Engagement Lead for ASONE and freelancing for an amazing charity, Music For Good. I am loving the extra freedom and creativity that comes with working in a variety of settings with a variety of people. I am learning lots as I go and making plenty of mistakes but I am so glad I made this leap into a new chapter. I am also so grateful to all of my lovely students, it’s been so much fun to get to know you all, and help you on your musical and artistic journeys. Thank you for supporting my new venture and for persevering with lessons despite the building noise, mud and general chaos!
It’s been so amazing to welcome everyone into our new space and if you haven’t been already we hope to welcome you soon! It’s been very busy times here but we hope to start offering and advertising more events at the studio as things settle down. If you’d like to find out about upcoming events please sign up to our monthly newsletter to keep up to date with what’s on.