Laura and Michael formed a strong musical partnership six years ago when they met on the Newcastle University Folk and Traditional Music degree course. Since then they have performed their unique blend of folk and jazz music all over the UK and abroad, including some leading venues such as the Sage Gateshead, the Royal Concert Hall Glasgow and the Usher Hall Edinburgh. In 2008 they released their debut album Red Herring featuring guitarist Dan Walsh. Michael and Laura have made several BBC TV and radio appearances including providing music for a BBC documentary series. In 2008 they were jointly commissioned to compose music for Tim Rubidge’s Arts Council England project, Footfalls Echo at Belsay.
Alongside performing they are committed and skilled music educators. In 2008 they were selected to represent Newcastle University, teaching music in a specialised Kodály school in Hungary. They joined Yehudi Mehnuin’s prestigious Live Music Now scheme in 2007, and this has informed a great deal of their practice as musicians. Since joining the scheme Laura and Michael have worked in many different venues ranging from homes for the elderly to schools for children with behavioural difficulties. Their speciality is leading concerts and workshops for children including those with special needs. Recently, Laura and Michael have delivered highly successful musical storytelling events for the very young in collaboration with North Yorkshire library service and Live Music Now as part of a unique project. In 2009 the duo represented Live Music Now internationally in Al Ain Zayed Higher Association as part of a residency, collaborating with members of Alba Brass Quintet. They also toured the south of Scotland in collaboration with Gaelforce Arts Association in 2009 and were selected to join the national outreach organisation, Music in Hospitals. 2010 will further Laura and Michael’s International remit, with projects in Berlin, Dresden and rural France, alongside an appointment as Artists in Residence for the Scottish Arts Council’s Youth Music Initiative at pre-school nurseries in Moffat and Edinburgh.