MADALEINE
Musical Director/Founder/Arranger/Piano
Madaleine is an established performer working professionally in the UK. She has performed in Europe, Scandinavia, the USA, Canada, Africa and Russia. After graduating with a first-class Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Strathclyde, she spent her formative years touring the world with bands such as the BAFTA award winning, OSCAR and GRAMMY nominated soul revivalists ‘The Commitments’.
Further appearances and session work have included live performances for The Average White Band, composer Paul Leonard Morgan (Limitless, Wormwood, Dynasty) Tom Jones, Susan Boyle, Mica Paris, Alesha Dixon, Edwin Collins, Wet Wet Wet, Paul Carrack (Mike and The Mechanics), Ricky Ross and Deacon Blue, Ian Anderson MBE (Jethro Tull), Stuart Murdock (Belle and Sebastian) and Hot Dub Time Machine. Other highlights include opening for The Fun Lovin Criminals, Bryan Adams, Al Green, Dr.John, Mayer Hawthorne, and British soul diva Alice Russell.
Performances at major international and famous music theatres include T-in The Park (Scotland), TRMSMT, Tabarka Jazz Festival (Tunisia, Africa) Edinburgh and Glasgow Blues and Jazz Festivals, 2014 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony, Edinburgh International Festival Milwaukee Irish Festival (USA), Winnipeg International Music Festival (Canada), Soul Summit Music Festival (New York, USA), Wickerman (Scotland), Isle of Wight Music Festival (UK), BBC Music Festival (London, Reading, Glasgow, UK), Niagara Music Festival, Sony Centre Toronto, Hydro, Glasgow, House of Blues (Chicago and LA)
© Video Killed the Radio Star
ALLAN
Co-Musical Director/Arranger/Piano
A vastly experienced educationalist, performer, arranger and pianist, Allan brings a wealth of talent to the position of Assistant Musical Director and arranger.
Having graduated with a BMus + PGCE he cites many creative influences – Stevie Wonder, Prince, Sting, James Ingram and Billy Joel to name a few. Allan has performed on stage with Paul Carrick, Karine Polwart, Horse, Ricky Ross and Lorraine MacIntosh. His personal highlight to date is taking part in a vocal masterclass with Bobby McFerrin. Allan has been a much loved addition to the Connect family since the choir first formed in 2016. He would like to add that any resemblance to Where’s Wally, Postman Pat or Stu from The Hangover is purely co-incidental.
CARISS
Co-Musical Director/Arranger/Piano
Graduating with a first-class BA in Applied Music from The University of Strathclyde in 2011, Cariss has since worked as a busy performer and session musician, both live and in the studio. Notable achievements include performing backing vocals for internationally established artists Corinne Bailey Rae, Natasha Beddingfield and Lewis Capaldi.
Cariss is especially proud of her song-writing and live/recording session work with prolific vocal trio Little Acres which features prominent Scottish vocalists Emilie Boyd and Rachel Lightbody.
Little Acres have shared a stage with acts such as Kathryn Joseph, Tom McGuire and the Brassholes, Kitti, Fat-Suit, Start to End, Kris Drever, Siobhan Miller.
© 2022 by Connect Choir ltd