A B O U T
Featured in BBC Music Magazines 'Rising Star' column, Aileen is a multi-award winning composer, arranger, accordionist and podcaster from Glasgow, who studied at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
Her music is rooted in the traditional folk music she grew up with playing the accordion and is often influenced by her interests in fields in cosmology, nature and folklore alongside an admiration for many different genres of music.
Aileen's music has been performed across the UK from pubs on The Isle of Skye, to primary schools in Glasgow to The Wigmore Hall and Queen Elizabeth Hall in London. Composition highlights include commissions from Huddersfield, Cheltenham and Presteigne Festivals, The CBSO, The Colin Currie Quartet, and Red Note Ensemble as well as successfully applying to the The London Philharmonic Orchestra’s, The Royal Philharmonic Society and Britten Sinfonia’s Young Composers Scheme.
As well as composing, Aileen co-founded the folk-fusion band Eriska who have self-released two albums, co-hosts the award-winning podcast Ear to the Ground and teaches at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland's Junior Academy.
"I was immediately interested in her style of writing - distinctive, direct, intriguing and un-cluttered. What transpired was the chance to commission and premiere 'Starburst' with my quartet which is a work of singular emotional distinction, flawless and fascinating control of the percussion sounds, all sewn up in a very convincing structure, and radiant, hugely memorable harmonies. Working with her was a real treat - great fun and easy-going. May this premiere be the first of many collaborations together, I sincerely hope." - Colin Currie (percussionist)
"Aileen wrote a truly phenomal quintet for soprano sax and string quartet. It was the first time we had worked together and it was the biggest joy to discover her music - her talent shone through from the very first note. Aileen's passion for music (and of so many different genres) is an inspiration."