Charlotte McMillan
Hi! I’m Charlotte, and I founded Hullabaloo Pre-School Music in 2008. It started as a couple of small classes in Pencaitland (where I live) but has gradually built up over the years. We now have classes in East Lothian and around the West of Edinburgh, and of course have extended the invitation to older children in the form of Nightingales Music School. I’m delighted to have some great teachers on board with me now too – you can read all about them here; just click the names on the left.
I am a music lover and I play the clarinet (Grade 8), saxophone, piano (Grade 7), guitar and recorder and was even in a hand-bell team when I was at school! I am currently learning fiddle (well I’m trying anyway!). I have an A-level in music performance, and I also have a lot of experience at leading pre-school music classes, as I have taught for other organisations in the past. I hold an Arts Award from East Lothian Council jointly with East Lothian Youth Music Forum (ELJam) for “Early Years Music: Singing Rhymes and Percussion”, and I am on the Steering committee for ELJam as well as being part of their Local Haddington Working Group. I have trained with the National Youth Choir of Scotland and have completed various of their courses including Musicianship and The Kodàly Approach to Primary Methodology. I am also assistant director for one of the NYCOS East Lothian choirs.
I am the Youth Music Initiative Community Arts Worker for East Lothian Council and have been in post since 2017.
I love to participate in music outside of work and play sax in an Edinburgh soul band Soulacoaster. I also sing in a three part harmony group called “The Wintones”. I have recently had the pleasure of guesting for the Aberlady Moonshine Orchestra, where I’ve been dabbling in a bit of Jazz clarinet too.
I thoroughly enjoy teaching the classes and truly believe that young children benefit hugely from participating in musical activities at an early age. I put an awful lot of hard work and energy into preparing and delivering the classes, but for me it is very rewarding and worth every minute. I hope you will think so too!
Please feel free to contact me about any aspect of the McMillan Young Musicians school. I welcome any feedback or suggestions.