I'm well equipped for this adventure.
I coach poets, poetry and poetry coaches in many different settings: primary, secondary and tertiary schools and colleges; schools for children and young people with specific learning difficulties and emotional and behavioural difficulties; youth clubs; local, regional and national projects like BBC Blast and Shake The Dust; festivals including Glastonbury Festival and the Wise Words Festival; the Fringe Festivals of Brighton and Edinburgh; and, best of all, exploring outdoors.
The projects that I am most proud of are Speak for Yourself and Culture Clash: Poets v MCs v Comedians. For Speak for Yourself, I coached children from Glastonbury Festival’s Green Kids Field to speak their political voice and perform it on Billy Bragg’s left field stage, and answer questions from Billy and a panel of political observers. Culture Clash emerged from Poets v MCs, a project that I set up to involve professional spoken word artists in coaching young people to write and perform their own shows that then were put on at Brighton Fringe and Edinburgh Fringe Festivals. In each project the young people and their families said that the impact was life-changing.
The projects that I am most proud of are Speak for Yourself and Culture Clash: Poets v MCs v Comedians. For Speak for Yourself, I coached children from Glastonbury Festival’s Green Kids Field to speak their political voice and perform it on Billy Bragg’s left field stage, and answer questions from Billy and a panel of political observers. Culture Clash emerged from Poets v MCs, a project that I set up to involve professional spoken word artists in coaching young people to write and perform their own shows that then were put on at Brighton Fringe and Edinburgh Fringe Festivals. In each project the young people and their families said that the impact was life-changing.
In coaching children, young people and adults in this range of settings I have become highly skilled and extremely flexible in providing what is best according to need. I lead a learning and growing process that is individual-centred, self-generating and sustainable, as the celebration of one achievement feeds into the inspiration for the next goal.
The participant
To Edinburgh I departed a liquid, I returned solid,
I learnt that the greatest wisdom is to in fact share knowledge,
We openly discussed strengths and weaknesses alike always truthful and honest,
And the shows and performances swept me away like a uncontrollable torrent,
We grew more confident and confident, all nerves demolished,
I came back part of something, a tree in a forest.
But trees grow from great roots,
So to everyone who made it happen and nurtured us as we grew,
My thanks and praise must go solely to you.”
Eben
The parent
"Thank you very much for giving Molly such a lovely day. She thoroughly enjoyed herself and I think found it a very inspirational experience.
We were very impressed with the presentation at the end of the day which I'm sure was largely down to the fact that all the children had enjoyed themselves. I think it would have been difficult not to, considering the obvious enthusiasm of the adult poets and their encouragement towards all the children. So a big thank you from two grateful parents.”
Catherine and Paul
The teacher
"Poets v Rappers inspire the most disengaged boys -and jaded teachers - through fearlessness, originality and a love of words in a way they can emulate.”
Jane Lucas, Portslade Aldridge Community Academy
The assistant
“Mike's courses are simply brilliant, and I love working with him, as do all the (other) children too! I am always talking to my friends about his workshops, and giving them tips about 'how he does it'. He has a very well tried and tested formula, which never fails to inspire and excite the young poets. Though relaxed, there is never any doubt as to who is in control during his workshops, where he effortlessly blends easy friendliness and accessibility with extreme professionalism, providing a safe, creative atmosphere, within which even the assistants find themselves writing great poems. His years of experience mean he knows exactly how and where to adapt his workshops according to age groups and special needs. Mike takes the children out of the classroom and off the page into the highest levels of creative expression and imagination. His magic rubs off on anyone who comes into contact with him."
Yvo Luna, Poet & Workshop Assistant
The Media
"Michael's well planned sessions and personal enthusiasm for language see him unlock the unlock the hidden talent of participants who surprise themselves with their new-found ability to write and perform from their inner voice"
Matt Gallop, Lead Facilitator, BBC Blast
The participant
To Edinburgh I departed a liquid, I returned solid,
I learnt that the greatest wisdom is to in fact share knowledge,
We openly discussed strengths and weaknesses alike always truthful and honest,
And the shows and performances swept me away like a uncontrollable torrent,
We grew more confident and confident, all nerves demolished,
I came back part of something, a tree in a forest.
But trees grow from great roots,
So to everyone who made it happen and nurtured us as we grew,
My thanks and praise must go solely to you.”
Eben
The parent
"Thank you very much for giving Molly such a lovely day. She thoroughly enjoyed herself and I think found it a very inspirational experience.
We were very impressed with the presentation at the end of the day which I'm sure was largely down to the fact that all the children had enjoyed themselves. I think it would have been difficult not to, considering the obvious enthusiasm of the adult poets and their encouragement towards all the children. So a big thank you from two grateful parents.”
Catherine and Paul
The teacher
"Poets v Rappers inspire the most disengaged boys -and jaded teachers - through fearlessness, originality and a love of words in a way they can emulate.”
Jane Lucas, Portslade Aldridge Community Academy
The assistant
“Mike's courses are simply brilliant, and I love working with him, as do all the (other) children too! I am always talking to my friends about his workshops, and giving them tips about 'how he does it'. He has a very well tried and tested formula, which never fails to inspire and excite the young poets. Though relaxed, there is never any doubt as to who is in control during his workshops, where he effortlessly blends easy friendliness and accessibility with extreme professionalism, providing a safe, creative atmosphere, within which even the assistants find themselves writing great poems. His years of experience mean he knows exactly how and where to adapt his workshops according to age groups and special needs. Mike takes the children out of the classroom and off the page into the highest levels of creative expression and imagination. His magic rubs off on anyone who comes into contact with him."
Yvo Luna, Poet & Workshop Assistant
The Media
"Michael's well planned sessions and personal enthusiasm for language see him unlock the unlock the hidden talent of participants who surprise themselves with their new-found ability to write and perform from their inner voice"
Matt Gallop, Lead Facilitator, BBC Blast
