Manuel W Balaguer-Cortes

I’m from Aragón in North-East Spain, though I’ve been living in Scotland since 2001. I picked up my first whistle at 15 and my first 's jew's harp slightly earlier. I also play Spanish and Swedish bagpipes, flute, willow pipe and recorder (to various degrees of ability!)
I played in some local bands in my hometown (Zaragoza) before moving to Scotland. While living in Brechin, Angus, I spent four years as Folk and Traditional Music co-ordinator for the Brechin Arts Festival. I play regularly at sessions in Tayside. I play mainly a mixture of Scottish, Spanish, Nordic and Irish music.
I have been teaching tin whistle since 2002, both private classes and group classes. I undertook training with Fèisean nan Gàidheal in Skye and the Adult Learning Project Scots Music Group in Edinburgh where I taught intermediate whistle. After moving to Angus, I ran a Beginners class for Angus College in Forfar as part of their leisure-class programme.
I teach traditional music, mainly from Scotland but also from other European traditions like Irish and Spanish. I teach in a traditional manner, by ear although I provide written music for those who are not used to aural learning (as a help. not a substitute).