We are an inclusive music and arts organisation dedicated to bringing people together through new music, dance and theatre.

 

What We Do

  • Paragon

    We at Paragon believe that music and the arts have the power to transform lives.  Two important principles within music – equality and inclusion – guide our work, creating inclusive music, dance and performance opportunities that inspire and empower.

    We create inclusive learning and performance environments where people from all walks of life and with a wide range of additional support needs, can come together, develop new skills, meet new friends and discover their true potential through dance and music.

    Paragon’s musicians and facilitators are highly trained professionals who ensure that the best support is given to all those involved in our programmes where we aim to produce work to the highest level, as well as making it accessible to all.

    The following documents are available to download:

    Paragon brochure

    Paragon policies and procedures

    Social Impact Report (.pdf)

    Play On Evaluation Report University of Dundee

    Environmental Policy Public Statement 2019

    GAI-WE-ARE-PART-Green

     

  • Programmes

    • Mindful Drumming
      An exciting programme of afternoon Mindful Drumming workshops, lead by Gameli Tordzro – a regular inclusive music session for adults…

    • Resonate Dumfries and Galloway
      An exciting art and music project for disabled and non disabled young people (15 – 25 yrs) Come along to…

    • Stride
      Paragon Stride musicians meet regularly at an inclusive Sunday evening programme of workshops at

    • M3 (Make Music Move)
      Dance and Music Programme

    • Tune
      Learn a musical instrument

    • Horizons
      Mentoring programme

    • Beat It
      Musical 'jamming' workshops and performances

    • Train and Play
      Music practitioner training

  • Participant Profiles

  • People

    • Ninian Perry

      Creative Director

      Ninian is the Creative Director of Paragon Music. A founder member of Paragon, he is a passionate believer in the power of new music to help change people’s lives for the better.

      In 1990 he set up Paragon’s Music Programme and his work in schools and the wider community is regarded as one of the most successful models for bringing people together from all walks of life to create and perform new music. As a teacher, performer and director he leads Paragon’s inclusive performance and mentoring programmes for disabled young people and adults.

      He studied at Dartington College of Arts, the Royal College of Music and York University.

      Contact Ninian –  ninian-paragon@btconnect.com

    • Charlotte Riley Gibson

      Programme and Communications Manager

      In her role as Programme and Communications  Manager Charlotte connects with Partners and manages events and marketing. She also works as a Paragon music facilitator and has recently completed her British Sign Language level 2.

      Contact Charlotte – charlotte-paragon@btconnect.com

    • Fiona Macleod

      Business Development Manager

      Fiona helps to ensure Paragon can continue to deliver and develop its inclusive arts programmes across Scotland and abroad by raising funds through trusts and foundations, fundraising campaigns and events and building partnerships with likeminded organisations.

      Contact Fiona – Fiona-paragon@btconnect.com

    • Lisa Butler

      Programme Coordinator

      As Programme Coordinator, Lisa assists in the ongoing development of the Horizon’s mentoring programme. Lisa is responsible for researching opportunities that can help mentees to progress their musical aspirations, and developing partnerships with relevant organisations.

       

      Contact Lisa – lisa-paragon@btconnect.com

    • Ryan Hughes

      Communication Support Assistant

      I’m Ryan ‘Rydo’ Hughes and I’m a Communication Support Worker and Assistant Music Practitioner with Paragon Music. I can facilitate singing, percussion and guitar but I specialise in assisting participants who are on the autistic spectrum, who need support to communicate, or are Deaf as I can sign in BSL and Makaton.

      I have been with Paragon for many years and counting. I started by helping at Paragon’s M3 programme and never left. Now I’m part of the furniture! My favourite Paragon moment to date has to be when I helped a Deaf participant learn to vocalise sounds to a song we wrote and he loved it so much he wanted to show everyone. That was awesome! Here’s to many more years, moments and memories with Paragon Music!

    • Professional Musicians

      We work with an amazing team of  professional musicians:

      Gameli Tordzro (African music)

      Iain Sandilands (Percussion)

      Graeme Barclay (Percussion)

      Kristiina Watt (Guitar/Voice)

      Diljeet Bhachu (Flute)

      Brian Payne (Percussion)

      Charlotte Riley Gibson (Piano/Saxophone)

      Zac Scott (Guitar/Voice)

      Jani Lang (Violin)

      Stuart Macpherson (Double bass)

      Jennifer Austin (Piano)

      Kenny Cormack (Guitar)

      David Stephen (Guitar)

      Beth Taylor (Voice/Piano)

      Clare McBrien (Clarinet)

      Ross Wilson (Guitar)

      Reuben Quinn (Guitar / Vocals)

      Andrew McCulloch (Percussion)

      Darcy DaSilva (Voice/Piano)

      Grace Dale (Piano / Vocals)

      Cameron Black (Percussion)

      Paul Johnston (Clarinet / Saxophone)

      Sarah McWhinney (Cello)

      Ellie Kemp (Voice/Flute)

      Doug Milne (Guitar/Bass Guitar)

      Thomas Brumby (Music Production/Composition)

      Ollie Hawker (Cello)

      Laura Browne (Guitar)

      Thomas Sutherland (Percussion)

      Jamie Little (Guitar)

      Sorcha Pringle (Piano/Voice)

    • Professional Dancers

      Our team of professional dancers include:

      Jade Adamson

      Alex McCabe

      Ruth Foster

      KJ Clarke-Davis

      Nicolette Corcoran

      Penny Chivas

      Philip Alexander McDonald

      Sari Lievenon

      Laini Chrismas

      Jack Anderson

    • Board of Directors

      Our board of directors come from a variety of professional backgrounds, all with a unique interest in music and dance.

      If you feel you could add some expertise and would like to join our board please get in touch.

      Lio Moscardini (Chair)

      Colin Rutherford

      Terry Lynch

      Sonia McGrath

      Linda O’Neill

       

    • Volunteers

      Paragon Music is very grateful for the support from our brilliant team of volunteers.

      Anthony Flanagan (Assistant Drum tutor at Tune)

      Sam Solley

      Bernie Hunter – Digital Development Assistant 

      Nina Miller

      Kirsty Brown

      Jodie Taylor

      Steven Gavigan

      Ruairidh Whitmarsh

      Louis MacDonald

      Hannah Baldwin

      Hannah Mains

      Caitlin Campbell

      Siobhan McCaffery

      Liam Sutherland

      Jen Donnelly

      Max Thomson

       

       

       

    • Links with Higher Education

      Paragon works in partnership with a number of School, Higher and Further Education Institutions.  Recent placement include:

       

      Diana Witt  – Glasgow Caledonian University Occupational Therapy

      Sarah Cordeaux – Glasgow Caledonian University Occupational Therapy

      Ruairidh Whitmarsh – West College Scotland, Certificate for Work Readiness

      Ryan Morgan – The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

      Alex Christie – Gryffe High School

      Cara Smith – Glasgow Kelvin College

    • Lio Moscardini

      Chair

      Dr Lio Moscardini is an independent education consultant and researcher. He is also a part-time lecturer at the Royal Conservatoire Scotland. He specialises in the area of inclusion and additional support needs. His original career was as a professional orchestral musician.

      “Organisations such as Paragon are critical to developing inclusive practice in the arts and providing access to all in a wide range of performance-based activities. I’m proud to be associated with such a body and delighted to be able to support them in a number of ways”

    • Colin Rutherford

      Non Executive Director

      Colin developed his leadership experience working in the UK, EU and USA. His working life has covered a broad range of industries including financial services, manufacturing and professional football.”“I’m delighted to be involved with Paragon.
      “The arts tend by their very nature to be ‘inclusive’ and Paragon is a shining example of this – bringing music, performance and creativity to people, helping to make a difference to their lives and providing a platform for personal growth and development. Who wouldn’t want to be involved with that?“

    • Terry Lynch

      Non-Exective Director

      Solicitor, Glasgow.

    • Linda O’Neill

      Non Executive Director

      Linda is a psychology graduate who worked in children’s services for over ten years before moving to the Centre for Excellence for Looked After Children at the University of Strathclyde where she currently leads on the Education Programme of work.  Linda has worked with children, young people and parents and carers with additional support needs in both education and social work and is passionate about inclusion, equity and social justice.  Linda also plays the trumpet and has been a member of a variety of choirs.

      “I’m absolutely delighted to be working with Paragon to help support the invaluable work they do to ensure equity of access to the arts.”