Thomas Johnston Email & Phone Number

Dublin, Ie

Ireland

Curious Cubs Ltd. is an education technology application for iOS & Android specialising in early learning content development. The app (Oct ‘24 launch) offers a joyful world of newly composed songs, stories, dances, games & other creative activities to stimulate fun, learning & meaningful engagement for 2-7 year olds.Founded in 2020, The Curious Cubs is the product of a 12-year partnership between company directors, Dr. Thomas Johnston & Stephen Markham. Both Curious Cubs directors are longterm collaborators in the creation of instrumental music & songs, recordings & stage productions for the arts & educational sectors. OUR MISSIONWe believe every child should have access to high quality early learning & creative resources.OUR GOALSTo support & enhance children’s full creative potentialTo engage, stimulate & educate young minds & design engaging content that nurtures a desire to learn & exploreTo engage children in activities that contribute to their cognitive, physical, social & emotional well-being To design activities allow the child to retain control & set their own paceTo provide high quality, age-appropriate, researched-informed content & design that parents/guardians/educators can trust & be confident in when enjoying with their childrenTo build upon our work in this area which has been recognised for its quality & innovation at a national & international levelTo provide a stimulating environment for artistic & creative expression that encourages curiosity & self exploration both on & off screen.OUR CONTENTIn The Curious Cubs, children's learning is informed by best practice in digital pedagogy, combined with innovative technology & high quality creative & artistic content to ensure a highly engaging learning experience. Content includes: AnimationStorytellingIllustrationsInteractive gamesOriginal music & songListening activities Movement orientated playRelaxation & mindfulness area

Ireland

I am the Founder and Artistic Director of Ceol Connected. Ceol Connected is a dynamic & impassioned company that strives to create meaningful, beguiling, virtuosic, fantastical & gloriously joyful work for young audiences that is of the highest quality & that draws inspiration & intrigue from the world of traditional arts. Our dynamic work crosses the following areas: - gig theatre & album production for young audiences - immersive 360° video and virtual reality arts experiences - inclusive arts initiatives - education & facilitation - national and international touring - research & consultation - festivals & events See www.ceolconnected.ie for more information

Dubin

St. Patrick'S Campus Dcu / Music Generation

Transformative Implications of Diversity in Children and Young People’s Experience ofPerformance Music EducationMusic Generation (MG) is a five-year (2010-2015) philanthropically-funded performance music education (PME) service which seeks to provide access to vocal and instrumental music education for children/young people (0-18) throughout Ireland which is high quality, multi-genre, and overcomes barriers such as geographic, socioeconomic, cultural, and available local expertise. MG is currently being implemented nationally across 12 regional Music Education Partnerships (MEPs).The concept of diversity is central to MG’s approach in developing a national infrastructure for music education that includes many types of diverse musical practices. ‘Transformative Implications of Diversity’ is a research project which has as its broad focus the transformative potential for children and young people of a performance music education (PME) service which is underpinned by principles of diversity. In particular, the research is investigating the critically diverse conditions at each level of MG’s national infrastructure which work together to lead children and young people to PME experiences which are meaningful, intrinsically and extrinsically motivating, andultimately transformative.A two-year critical theory orientated, embedded multi-case study approach defines this investigation’s methodological design. Over three phases (Sep 2013–Dec 2014), observations were carried out across several MEP programmes (n=6), and focus group interviews conducted with children/young people, musicians, parents/guardians, and other individuals at various levels of the children/young people’s musical environments. What has emerged is a conceptual model of transformative experience for Music Generation which will provide a framework within which MEPs can ensure that the vision of Music Generation continues as it transitions into its publically-funded phase.

St. Patrick'S College Dcu

As part of my responsibilities at St. Patrick's College Drumcondra (DCU), I lecture on several undergraduate and postgraduate courses and supervise final year dissertations. These courses include the Bachelor of Education (Primary Teaching), BA Joint Honours - Humanities, and Professional Master of Education (Primary Teaching). Associated duties include planning lessons, engaging in reflective practice, communicating effectively with students, designing effective assessment strategies, setting and marking exams, and incorporating innovations in teaching and learning (e.g., flipped classroom and incorporating technologies in education)

Common Ground, Ceol Connected, And Early Childhood Ireland

In 2011, Common Ground, Early Childhood Ireland and The Base, Ballyfermot piloted 'Tiny Voices'​, an early years music pilot in two child care settings in Dublin for 16 weeks with two professional musicians. By 2012, in partnership with St Patrick's College and UCC, the research findings of 'Tiny Voices'​ were published in a report.From 2013 to 2014 Common Ground, Ceol Connected and Early Childhood Ireland took the next steps to progress and share 'Tiny Voices' as an early years music professional development programme for Early Childhood Ireland’s members. This CPD programme was piloted between September 2014 - April 2016 and learnings form this pilot of the programme is informing the next stage.

Online Academy Of Irish Music, Liscannor, Co. Clare

Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HmSKt_g-3E and www.oaim.ie

Irish World Academy Of Music And Dance

The Bloom of Youth: Conceptualising a Theory of Educative Experience for Irish traditional music in Post-primary Music Education in Ireland (2013)

Irish World Academy Of Music And Dance

During my time at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, I engaged in lecturing across several programmes, both undergraduate and postgraduate. Courses which I both lectured on and taught in a music-performance capacity include the BA Irish Music and Dance, BA Voice and Dance, Certificate in Music and Dance, MA Community Music, MA Irish Traditional Music Performance, and the Graduate Diploma in Music Education. I was also the online moderator for an undergraduate module in Traveller Music Studies.

Junior Music Hub Early Years Programme Co-Coordinator / Community Musician with responsibility for devising, implementing and evaluating weekly Early Years music workshops. Responsibilities include liaising with the school principal, crèche leaders, Learning Hub Limerick, and parents to ensure effective delivery of the music programme.

Moyross, Limerick City

Worldwide

Musical Duties include sourcing, composing, arranging, and directing music for a six-piece band for performances across Australia, New Zealand, and Germany. Other duties included liaising with the Choreographer, Producer, Sound & Lighting Engineers, Stage Managers, Recording Studio Engineers, Tour Manager, 'Wardrobe', Musicians and Dancers, TV and Radio Interviewers, Promoters etc.; creative input into other aspects of the show; presenting the show; recording an album; organising and administrating a range of practical aspects of a tour (for example, rehearsals, visas, travel, accommodation, payment issues, artist contracts etc.)

Doctor Of Philosophy (Phd), Music Education

Specialist Diploma In Teaching, Learning And Scholarship, Teaching, Learning And Scholarship, First Class Honours

Ba Irish Music And Dance, Music, First Class Honours