Friends
I simply couldn't have achieved what I have were it not for the support and help of my friends and family. And many of them are exceptionally talented. So, here is a list of really good people and the things that they do or make with links to their websites. Please do check them out and support their work.
Huge thanks to Stuart Price for many of the lovely photographs that I have used on my website.
PanStream Handpans
People often enquire where they can buy a handpan from - There are now over 200 handpan makers worldwide, but if I were buying one myself this is where I would be heading. PanStream Handpans are made by Mark Wilson in North Devon. He is an incredible maker, and genuinely one of the most generous people I've ever met.
Mark has supported me enormously over the past few years by donating several of his prototype instruments for me to use in schools and other workshops.
PanAmor Handpans
I worked with Daryl from PanAmor Handpans at his workshop in Exeter for 2 years. He is a great guy and a superb handpan maker. His instruments are top class and are played by some of the best musicians in the world, including Danny Carey, the drummer from Tool.
I learned so much from Daryl during the time I worked with him, and am extremely grateful to him too for gifting me the beautiful 'C# Ysha Savita' handpan that is my main instrument for playing at weddings.
https://www.panamorhandpans.com
Sounds Inspiring
In my humble opinion the best handpan stands on the market are made by Richard Bowring of Sounds Inspiring in the Netherlands. I use 3 of his standing stands for performances, and they have been an absolute game changer for me.
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Daisi
Daisi are a wonderful organisation that both myself and Laura have had the pleasure of working with for a number of years. They are a not-for-profit arts education organisation who create and promote inspiring artistic and cultural experiences which enable children and young people to access the transformative and inclusive power of the arts. Daisi believes that such experiences should sit at the very heart of young people’s lives and learning; sparking their imaginations, supporting their well-being and self-esteem, and helping them to observe and explore the world around them.
Daisi works with talented, professional artists across all art forms – from animation and environmental sculpture through to music, dance, drama, visual arts and literature – to bring high-quality, creative and exciting experiences into a broad range of settings across Torbay and Devon, in schools and in non-formal settings.
WoodSmith Instruments
Pete Smith is by far the most multi talented person that I know. His beautifully crafted instruments including, amongst others, 'Dulzuki's' and 'Hamlet Dulcimers' look and sound wonderful. Look out for Pete at festivals in the UK as he tours with his instruments and his other hat as Night Sky Tours, using incredible telescopes that he built himself!
Pete's music - under the pseudonym AstroRambler - is available to listen to and download on Bandcamp and YouTube.
Horsemanship For Health UK
In the summer of 2020 we were introduced by a mutual friend to Belinda Seaward, Jo Frodsham and Jeff Perry, who run a Community Interest Company called Horsemanship for Health UK, based in the Teignbridge area of South Devon. Their primary aim is to promote lifelong learning and healthy personal development for people of all ages and social backgrounds through equine and animal assisted education. Their projects also aim to contribute to the growing body of research into the health and well-being benefits of therapeutic horsemanship and the connection between animals and humans. I have led collaborative sessions with them for patients from a local psychiatric hospital using handpans alongside their horses and ponies with some truly amazing results.