Contributors
Georgina Leach
Author, composer, violinist
Georgina has been teaching the violin for over twenty years. She started playing at 4 years old via the Suzuki method and went on to study at conservatoire level. Though classically trained, she developed a strong interest in improvisation and now enjoys an international career as a teacher, performer and string arranger playing anything from bluegrass to folk, jazz to rock.
Ten years ago, faced with a group of rather disinterested students, Georgina wrote 'Twinkle Blues'. It was a runaway hit with children, parents and teachers alike... so she wrote some more tunes. Lockdown brought the opportunity for her to finally compile them all into a book. Of all the projects she has undertaken, Dynamite Strings is the one she is most proud of.
Georgina holds a First Class honours degree in Music from Manchester University, GRNCM in Violin Performance from Royal Northern School of Music and a PGCE in Secondary Music from UEL and Mossbourne Academy, Hackney. She currently teaches Curriculum Music for Southwark Music Service and is Violin Tutor at All Saints Catholic College, Ladbroke Grove.
Nick Pini
Producer, bass, drums and sound effects
Nick is one of the most patient, talented and kind men on the planet. He collected all the various recordings of instruments together for ALL 27 tracks, added bass, drums and sound effects and generally made them sound amazing. He programmed in every clippy cloppy hoof on 'Lonesome Cowboy'. Now that is commitment.
When he is not producing tracks for Dynamite Strings, Nick makes music with luminaries and legends such as Ethan Johns, Sir Tom Jones, Laura Marling, Ramin Karimloo and Mary Chapin Carpenter. Only the best will do for Dynamite Strings.
Bruno D' Ambra
Piano
Bruno is a highly sought after pianist and keyboardist based in London. He has played for US President Barack Obama and HRH Queen Elizabeth. Bruno works with a fantastically diverse array of artists. Details can be found on his website.
He plays on tracks 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20 & 23
Alan Markley
Piano and keyboard
Alan Markley is a singer, keyboardist, and music producer based in Brooklyn, New York. Alan makes music with artists such as Ramin Karimloo, Maggie Rogers, Freestyle Love Supreme, and Ron Pope.
He plays on tracks 1, 2, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 18, 21, 25, 26 & 27
Nick Cornu
Guitar
Nick is a guitarist and sound engineer. His playing has been featured on tracks by Ellie Goulding, Chris Coco and Marta Riccardi as well as compilations like Cafe Del Mar, documentaries and movie scores.
He plays guitars on Rockin' Rock Climbers!
Illustration and Design
Cover design Georgina Leach and Kirsten Taylor
Front illustration Georgina Leach
Back illustrations Jayden (10 yrs)
Internal layouts Georgina Leach
Page Illustrations
Pages 2, 4, 7, 13 and 24, George Buchanan (GB)
Page 31, Rick Bosman
Page 3, left to right: Rachel (10 yrs), Jayden (10 yrs)
Page 6, Jayden
Page 7, GB, GB, Nina (10 yrs), Camila (10 yrs), GB
Page 8, Snake by Laurie (7 yrs)
Page 10, Raphael (10 yrs), Jayden
Page 11, Chioma (10 yrs)
Page 16, Gemma (12 yrs)
Page 22, Rosamund (5 yrs)
Page 32 and 33, Laurie (7 yrs)
All other images are available for free commercial use