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Maria Cairnie

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Contact: mwcairnie@googlemail.com
Local authority: Glasgow City
Languages: English, Scots
Maria Cairnie's headshot

Maria’s unique style is highly energetic, participatory-sharing, interspersed with live singing and original compositions; based on a deep love of stories from many different cultures.

As a teacher, drama specialist, Lecturer, Community Education Tutor and author of picture books for children, Maria has developed an ability to engage in multiple levels of story with multiple audiences of specific needs, helping people to learn, motivate, create and engage in simple, complex and challenging dialogues.

Maria has performed in Toddler Groups, Nurseries, Primary and Secondary Schools, Further Education Colleges, at CPD events and numerous festivals across Scotland and further afield into Europe, South East Asia, The West Indies and Africa.

In 2008 she established and founded The Starmusa Community which serves the creative education, experiences and engagement of young people and children across Scotland through her work as Author and Creator of The Blitzy Boy Collection, The Marveloso Minibeast Maloo, Asphuttel and The Hazel Tree and The Clever Clog Frog series which will be available in the near future.

Maria continues to live and work as an Educator, Professional Story-teller and creative practitioner from her home in Glasgow and you can keep in touch with Maria through her website.

(Works in Scots)

Local authorities can visit

Aberdeen City; Aberdeenshire; Angus; Argyll and Bute; Clackmannanshire; Dumfries and Galloway; Dundee; East Ayrshire; East Dunbartonshire; East Lothian; East Renfrewshire; Edinburgh City; Falkirk; Fife; Glasgow City; Highland; Inverclyde; Midlothian; Moray; Na h-Eileanan Siar (Western Isles); North Ayrshire; North Lanarkshire; Orkney Islands; Perth and Kinross; Renfrewshire; Scottish Borders; Shetland; South Ayrshire; South Lanarkshire; Stirling; West Dunbartonshire; West Lothian

Events can deliver

Chairing events; Performance; Professional development, CLPL or CPD; Reading; Residency; Talk; Workshop

Audience can work with

Adult learners; Care-experienced people; Carers; English as an additional language (EAL); Intergenerational learning; Outdoor learning; Adults with additional support needs; People experiencing mental health problems; Reluctant readers; Vulnerable young people (under 18); Vulnerable adults; Vulnerable older people; Young people in the community (e.g. Youth clubs, Guides, Scouts); Young people with additional support needs (under 18) (ASN/SEN)

Topics of work

Adventure; Animals; Childhood; Fairy tales, folklore & mythology; Family; First experiences for younger readers; Friendship; Health including mental health & wellbeing; Performance training; Picture books; Rhyming books for younger readers; Science; Self-publishing & independent publishing

Age groups published for

Children; Adults

Age groups can work with

0-2; 3-5; 6-8; 9-11; 12-14; 15-18; 18+

Audience size

0-10; 11-30; 31-100; 100-500; 500+