Book Maria Cairnie
Maria tells stories from many different sources and in many different ways but her greatest passion is highly energetic, participatory telling which usually always involves live singing and original compositions. Maria has always had a deep love of stories from many different cultures.
Her background as a Nursery and Primary School Teacher with a Specialist Drama Remit, Lecturer in Early Years Education/Childcare, Community Education Tutor and Author of Picture Books for children aged 4+ have contributed to her ability to engage in multiple levels of story with multiple audiences and their specific needs.
It is in light of her background and experience that Maria has used story not only to engage in live literature and the oral tradition of storytelling itself but also to educate others in the use and power of the spoken word for learning, teaching, motivating, creating and engaging in simple, complex and challenging dialogues.
Maria has performed in Toddler Groups, Nurseries, Primary and Secondary Schools, Further Education Colleges, at CPD events, Festivals across Scotland including The Tall Ships 2011, The Southside Festival, The East Renfrewshire Storytelling Festival, Pollok Park Family Day, The Edinburgh International Book Festival and The Wigtown Book Festival.
Maria has taken her storytelling across Scotland, into Ireland, Wales and England. She has told tales and shared her storytelling experiences across Europe, South East Asia, The West Indies and Africa.
In 2008 she established and founded The Starmusa Community which serves the creative education, experiences and engagement of young people and children across Scotland. Maria is the Author and Creator of The Blitzy Boy Collection and her latest book The Marveloso Minibeast Maloo which will be available by the end of August 2018.
Maria is the founder of Dramamusa; a theatre arts school in the South-side of Glasgow, with an amazing collective of pupils, family and friends of Dramamusa and the most friendly bunch of inspiring teachers and facilitators. With a healthy interest in public speaking, recitation, song-writing and live poetry, Maria’s greatest love is the instrument of voice.
Maria continues to live and work in Glasgow and you can keep in touch with Maria through her website.
