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Jennifer Port has very
kindly agreed to play during the President's Reception.
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Jennifer is
originally from
Golspie, a Scottish village in the northern county of
Sutherland. There she attended school taking her first steps as a
musician. Her interest in music was encouraged by a number of
people, including her Primary 6 class teacher, Graham McCarthy.
Graham first introduced Jennifer to the clarsach, sparking an
interest that has endured throughout her life.
Playing a variety of instruments, including bass
recorder, Jennifer performed in an early music consort called The
Cattach Consort. Under the leadership on John & Ruth Whittaker,
instructors at
Golspie High School, the consort played in a variety of venues
including the Scots Kirk in Paris.
In addition to
specialising in
clarsach, Jennifer plays oboe and was the principal oboist in
Highland Regional Youth Orchestra from 1995 until 1999, conducted
by Nigel Boddice and Susan Dingle. During this time, Jennifer also
played Cor Anglais in HRYO as required.
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Jennifer’s course
director at the Academy, invited her to perform with him at the prestigious Cambridge
Folk Festival and on a tour in Denmark and Germany. Jennifer’s
main focus at the RSAMD was clarsach, singing and composition, while
gaining valuable teaching and recording studio skills.
During her career
Jennifer has won many awards and accolades, most notably the Danny
Kyle award at the world famous
Celtic Connections Festival and in the same year was a finalist
in the BBC Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year.
During her time as a professional clarsach player and
singer, Jennifer has enjoyed the privilege of entertaining at
weddings and events throughout Scotland, the British Isles and
beyond. Her noteable performances include playing at the
weddings of Madonna & Guy Ritchie, and Travis guitarist Andy Dunlop
to Jo Monaghan. Jennifer regularly plays for leading Parliamentary
figures and has played for the Princess Royal, the Duke of York and
Prince Edward on separate occasions and represented Scotland as an
ambassador for VisitScotland promoting their ‘Romantic Scotland’
campaign. Other celebrity clients include: Donald Trump,
Gywneth Paltrow, Sting, Donatella Versace, Stella McCartney, Trudie
Styler, Dame Maggie Smith, Rupert Everett, Fran Healy and Mick
Hucknall.
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"During
my time as Scottish First Minister, Jennifer entertained
Scottish, British and International dignitaries at a number of
prestigious state functions, both at home and abroad. A great
ambassador for Scottish music, Jennifer is a consummate
professional, reliable, friendly and, above all, a truly gifted
performer.”
Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale; First Minister of Scotland
2001 – 2007
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