WHIMSICAL
COMPOSTION
AND
STRING PLAYING!
Photograph by Max Brown
ABOUT ME
I'm Ailsa!
As a whimsical, and flexible musician and composer, I bring a passion for sound, creation and expression to all my work. I blend traditional, experimental and classical music, and create pieces that leave you thinking, and feeling!
Composer
Composing is one of the few ways I believe humans can share their 'soul' with one another. I am deeply passionate about exploring sound!
my favourite instrument to compose for has to be oboe! I love it's rich tone.
Violinist
I am a Violinist, and have acheived a Grade 8, and studied Recital 1 and 2 at University. I play traditional, experimental and classical repertoire!
Cellist
I am a beginner cellist, however after just one year of learning - I have already performed six times! I really enjoy playing cello and would love to try repertoire out!
MY INSPIRATIONS
My inspiration to weave stories and create comes from my grandmother, who was a storyteller and passed the oral tradition to me. I believe composition is just another way of storytelling, which can continue old stories on - or create new ones!
I use already Scots traditional stories and songs for inspiration for my music, or I use my own struggles with life and mental health to create works.
I have been playing Violin since I was 7, and began composing during the pandemic.
Photo taken by John Thompson.
Performance
Upcoming Performances
May 17th - Footlights Gala Ceilidh Band
May 28th-June 5th - University of Edinburgh Graduate Show
Performing at;
- ECA Exhibition
- 3rd June - Graduate Reid Concert
4th June - Raging Orchestra
20th June - Composers' Orchestra Music on the Mezzanine
October 26 2025 - Reid Concert Hall
More Than Melodies Concert
This concert was a charity concert, organised by Lucy Good. (@lucygoodmusic on Instagram) This was organised in memory of Myiesha Mulla. It was a beautiful concert and raised money - for a wonderful cause which I had the priveledge to play in!
I played 'For the Devil on My Shoulder' by Emilia Kibble, with a String Quartet on cello.
Photo taken by John Thompson.
September 10 2025 - Greyfriars Kirk - Composers' Orchestra Chamber Concert
December 9 2025 - Reid Concert Hall - Composers' Orchestra Winter Concert
April 4 2026 - Reid Concert Hall - Composers' Orchestra Spring Concert
University of Edinburgh Composers' Orchestra Concerts
As President of the Composers' Orchestra from 2025-6 I organised, and played in these concerts! I played both Violin and Cello in the Chamber and Winter Concert, and Violin in the Spring Concert. Moreover, I also had compositions premiered at these concerts!
MY COMPOSITIONS!
Whimsy in all emotions and forms!
Each composition I create is unique, drawing from my experience with experimental, classical and traditional music in sound and scoring! I'm comfortable creating graphic or standard notation scores across a wide range of instruments and genres! However, all my compositions are inspired by myth or fairytale, with a real life element to them. This makes them very adventurous, detailed and whimsical!
COMMISSIONS
OPEN!
I am currently taking commissions! Whilst my commission rate is based on the amount of time and skill it takes to create a work - if you are in financial hardship, I am happy to work out a rate that works for both of us or negotiate alternate methods of payment. So please don't feel money is an obstacle to getting in touch!
You can get in touch with a very specific brief or we can work out together what would be best for you!
Xenos
I rescored, and recorded an art installation for a University Composing for Screen Class! My composition centres on a violin and the use of a loop pedal. I also use ‘noise’ from rustling the cables to create rhythms, and beats underneath the violin part, which I felt added to the ‘foreignness’ of the score as it’s a sound we aren’t using to paying attention to in a serious manner.
Into the Deep Cavern
This piece explores the adventures of a small creature exploring a vast echoing cavern using a repeated motif which bounces throughout the orchestra!
This piece was premiered by the University of Edinburgh Composers' Orchestra at their Spring Concert 2026.
The Broken String
The Broken String is inspired by a Scottish Murder Ballad 'The Twa' Sisters'. It tells the story of the ballad, and the fiddle ultimately serves as a condemnation of a sisters cruelty!
This piece was premiered by the University of Edinburgh Composers' Orchestra at their Winter Concert 2025.
Recent Works
Recent Premiered/Recorded
Compositions
Here is a collection of some recent work! Have a listen to hear my style!
The Potion
This piece explores the creation and subsequent failure of a potion through guided improvisation!
This piece was premiered by the University of Edinburgh Composers' Orchestra at their Chamber Concert 2025.
This is a fun piece!
This piece explores a jazzy folk style, with the core idea being that music should be all based on fun for the musicians!
This piece was premiered by the University of Edinburgh Composers' Orchestra at their Chamber Concert 2025.
'What Happened to Pretty?'
I composed the 'Baroque section' of the soundtrack to a Masters Film final project, created by Tarik Jaawani.
The comedic short film focuses on the architecture in Edinburgh, highlighting it's beauty and flaws.
The baroque work compliments the comedic tone well.