Breesha Maddrell
Breesha Maddrell comes from the south of the Island, where she attended Rushen Primary and Castle Rushen High School. She studied flute with Nigel Street and piano with Jennifer Bird, leading the woodwind section of the Manx Youth Orchestra for many years. She has a BA in Music and Germanic Studies from the University of Sheffield and PhD in sociolinguistics and Manx Studies from the University of Liverpool, her thesis looking at aspects of cultural revival in the Isle of Man. She started playing traditional music at school, learning Manx Gaelic on her return to the Island in 1996.
After graduating, Breesha worked for a number of years as a lecturer at the Centre for Manx Studies. Her role as Manx Music Development Officer is to promote Manx music within and without the Island, developing resources, supporting festivals and maintaining the Manx Music Database. She will work closely with the Manx Music Specialist, providing workshops in schools.
Breesha plays flute and whistles and sings with Caarjyn Cooidjagh, Moot, Skeeal and Sheear. She has been a member of the Cooish Manx Language Festival committee since 1998 and joined the Yn Chruinnaght committee at the end of 2007. Breesha is also a government elected member of Bing Ymskealley Gaelgagh (Gaelic Broadcasting Committee) and the IOM Arts Council.
Breesha can be contacted by telephone on 01624 695159 or email:
