pianist and composer

Originally, I intended to train as a music teacher but I realized creative and performance potentials when I went to the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (RSAMD). A fairly late developer, I entered RSAMD in 1987 at 18 with Grade 5 piano to study a B.Ed Degree in Music and changed to a piano performance degree course in my second year and quickly progressed to concert level. At this point my aim was to become a concert pianist. I studied the virtuosic piano repertoire of Liszt, Debussy and Ravel and received master-classes from the renowned British concert pianist John Lill. I also had a master-class with French pianist Pascal Roge, performing Ravel's infamous Gaspard de la Nuit; Pascal Roge is an acclaimed interpreter of Ravel's work. The sound world of Debussy and Ravel is a definite influence in my writing. Composers for the piano in a more modern context whose work I have performed or am influenced by include the Argentinian composer Alberto Ginastera and Peter Sculthorpe from Australia.

Piano is a re-occurring feature in my writing and my playing has become synonymous with my writing. More recently I have introduced my vocals into the work. My tendencies towards composition grew out of my piano playing and my interests in song writing; most of my work is derived from my vocal and piano improvisations. Whilst being introduced to the ambience of the Debussy and Ravel sound I discovered the Cocteau Twins whose work has been a major influence on my writing - particularly their song-structures and rich harmonic textures. I was absorbed by the whole 4AD sound world during the 80's and early 90's. My principle interest is in contemporary song-writing/ vocal based works and exploring different instrumentations. I created the DPJ Ensemble from a need to work directly with musicians and to break the confines of the ivory-tower
existence of the composer and to explore my performance interests within the group situation.

Within the ensemble I am sole writer but the artist's interpretation has become a vital part of my production process. Tonality and melody is a fundamental element in my writing. Current interests include exploring electronics especially in collaboration with experienced electronic practitioners. Electronic dance sound is a particular area of interest. Interested in arranging and performing established songs. Film and Dance scores (particularly contemporary dance and including contemporary ballet). I am also interested in developing the use of my voice in my work and interested also in being involved in other people's work as a vocalist and pianist but not necessarily both together.

I enjoy working with my own lyrics and exploring use of language and I am always on the look-out for voices and instrumentalists to write for. I am interested in cross-art collaborations. I explored my interests in theatre by becoming a member of the collaborate creative team in the Theatre Cryptic work and played a part in three Cryptic productions as composer-performer and musical director between 1995 and 2000.

Compositions and Discography

MUSIC FOR THEATRE/ MIXED MEDIA
Seven Lears (1993) RSAMD School Of Drama
Cygnus (1994) RSAMD Academy Now Festival Ensemble
Macbeth (1994) RSAMD School Of Drama
Childlover (1995) Theatre Cryptic
Parallel Lines (1996) Theatre Cryptic
Inquiry (Dialogue with Distraction) (1996) Inquiry Productions
Nothing But Pleasure (1998) David Benson & DPJ
Electra (1999) Theatre Cryptic
Something There (2000) Cryptic Productions, DPJ & DPJ Ensemble (Beckett Time
Festival)
Diving-Bell (2002) radio-play featuring DPJ & DPJ Ensemble

CONCERT WORKS
Footsteps Across Knadgerhill (1991) Scottish Chamber Orchestra Ensemble
(SCO)
Sigh (1991) RSAMD Academy Now Festival Ensemble
Journeys Through An Unconscious Mind (1991) RSAMD Academy Now Festival
Ensemble
A Second Glance Across Knadgerhill (1992) Scottish Chamber Orchestra
Ensemble (SCO)
Precious (1992) RSAMD Academy Now Festival Ensemble
Lullaby (1992) RSAMD Academy Now Festival Ensemble (featuring Lisa Milne)
String Quartet (1992) Scottish Chamber Orchestra Ensemble (SCO)
The Protagonist (1992) Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO)
Words for Sometime (1993) DPJ and Lisa Milne
From The Edge of the World (1994) Edinburgh Royal Choral Union/ Aberdeen
Youth Choir
Time Sleeps As The Heart Speaks (1998) Inquiry Productions
Something There (2001/2002 Concert Version) DPJ & DPJ Ensemble
Mr K's Talk Without Words (2002) National Youth Choir Of Scotland

RECORDINGS
Something There (2002) Linn Records (Linn CKD 179) (Released September 2002)

WORKS IN PROGRESS
Diving Bell EP a recording project - four track EP from the original radio
play featuring DPJ & DPJ Ensemble
Palmstar Poppy a recording project and live performance presentation - song
collection featuring DPJ & DPJ Ensemble
Farewell Whistling Shonsho a recording project and live performance
presentation - song collection featuring Lisa Milne, DPJ & DPJ Ensemble