My career, background and motivations

I’ve been working for quite some time, so have lots of qualifications and experience! I’m passionate about teaching the things I’ve learnt, and helping people through creativity – both art, and music. I teach art skills in person to groups, have courses online, and can teach through Zoom and Skype. Find out more about my art & craft tuition. I also have a range of videos on my YouTube channel ArtLearn Studio. Community music work is done in person. I now also offer a professional voice over service.

art credentials

Following art school in Wales in the 1980’s then several years in London as a commercial artist  (check out some of my early work here) a passion for adventure in the wild outdoors took me to Scotland where I now live and work. A past member of the Society of Industrial Artists & Designers, I now hold a BA in Visual Communication with Distinction from the University of Abertay, Dundee. I’ve also attended courses at Duncan of Jordanstone, Dundee and Edinburgh colleges of art, and theatre design in Glasgow. I draw and paint with a wide variety of materials and am a greenwood crafter. I regularly exhibit in galleries and open studio events, and have recently completed a residency in the west of Scotland. I also take commissions. Find out more. Also visit my YouTube channel ArtLearn Studio.

Music credentials

Playing instruments and using my voice is also a large part of my life. I’ve performed regularly with bands as guitarist and vocalist, and also solo, sometimes represented by Entertainers Agency Perth, and over a hundred performances for Music in Hospitals. I studied musicianship at Dundee College, and received training with Sense Scotland for their Sensing Art & Music project, then later with Drake Music using assistive technology in schools. I’ve received community music training with Tonalis, Gloucestershire, and am a level II drum circle facilitator, trained by Arthur Hull from the US. I’ve also worked as a musician and workshop leader, co-founding a Scottish branch of Chickenshed Theatre Company. Find out more.

VOICE OVER WORK

I’ve used my voice in different capacities over many years, and since receiving training in 2021, I’m now also promoting myself as a voice over artist, working from scripts for commercial and corporate projects. This includes recording audiobooks and magazine articles for the Royal National Institute of Blind People . Find out more.

Lots more information is on my Unity Music website.  Find out more about my community music work.

Other stuff you might like to know about

I have Enhanced Disclosure and Public Liability insurance.

Other qualifications and experience include – D32/D33 Workplace Assessor, Level 3 Award in Education & Training, ECDL, First Aid, Food Hygiene, Child Protection and Health & Safety at Work courses, British Sign Language Stage I. For several years, I taught outdoor pursuits at centres around Scotland so have a Post Graduate Diploma in Outdoor Education, NGB awards in rockclimbing, canoeing, SMLTB Mountain Leader, PSIA Ski Instructor etc. (contact me for more information if you need it).

Copyright for all work including text and images are owned by Steve Bretel.