Ullapool parents to get free music workshops for tots and babies

Ullapool parents to see new free music workshops for babies and toddlers, led by two renowned local musicians.

Fèis Rois is starting a new run of sessions in Ullapool later this month, and parents and carers of babies and toddlers are being invited to attend a Come and Try workshop, with local musicians, Anne Wood and Mairearad Green.

Tàlaidhean Ura: The Lullaby Project, in collaboration with New York’s prestigious Carnegie Hall’s Weill Institute, is set to encourage those with or expecting babies and toddlers, to explore song-writing and come up with their own lullabies.

This latest phase of the project kicks off on Monday May 13 in Ullapool, with people invited to come along and learn more about the project during a free ‘come and try’ session.

One of the session leaders for The Lullaby Project in Ullapool is Anne Wood. She is a multi-instrumentalist from Scourie and is currently in the middle of a tour of her ‘When Mountains Meet’ theatre production, which has received rave reviews and sell-out performances so far. The other session leader is Mairearad Green; a well-known piper, accordionist, composer and visual artist, with upcoming albums with Mike Vass and Rachel Newton.

Fèis Rois community engagement officer Teya-Jean Bawden said: “Our Lullaby Project has become one of our core projects since first running it in 2020. This heart-warming project has resulted in some incredibly powerful music, created by parents and carers with the guidance of expert local musicians.

“No musical experience is necessary and our first session is a Come and Try session, to allow participants to find out more about the project in a relaxed environment, and get to know one another through craft, play and music before creating new lullabies. There will also be some entertainment provided during the sessions for babies and toddlers, to allow the parents and carers to immerse themselves in the process.”

The Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute began The Lullaby Project in New York, pairing pregnant women and new parents with professional artists to write and sing personal lullabies for their babies. This helped support parental health, aiding childhood development, and strengthening the bond between parent and child. Extending around the world, the Lullaby Project now enables partner organisations to support families in their own communities.

The sessions will be held on Mondays mornings, from 10am – 12pm, from May 13 – September 23 at the MacPhail Centre, Ullapool. Please note that no sessions will take place during the summer holidays.

For more information about the Lullaby Project, visit www.feisrois.org or contact Teya-Jean, tj.bawden@feisrois.org

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