Ailsa started playing the tenor horn at the age of 9 in her local primary school under the direction of Michael Robertson and she is now regarded as one of the finest tenor horn players in the world of brass bands.

 

Having previously played with the Arbroath Instrumental Band and the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland, Ailsa began studying at the at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama in 2009 and during the same year joined Cory Band on first horn. Five years later, she seamlessly stepped up to Solo Horn with Cory, a position she has now made her own, with countless recordings, concerts and competition successes. 

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Upon graduation from the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, Ailsa became the Corps of Army Music's first professional tenor horn player, when she accepted a position with the newly formed Prince of Wales Division Brass Band. 

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In recent years, she has appeared as a soloist in the United States and regularly tutors on various music courses, including the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain. We are delighted that Ailsa is able to join the NABBSS faculty this year, together with her Cory friends and colleagues, Tom Hutchinson and Robert Nicholson.