Lloyd Mayer
Lloyd Mayer
LLoyd Mayer is a soloist Dancer with the Martha Graham Dance Company.
Lloyd Mayer grew up on the Island where he became involved in gymnastics and did drama during his time at Ballakermeen High School. Impresively, Lloyd won Young Dancer of Man in 2009 without any prior professional dance training.
He since went on to have a place at the Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance until he was accepted at the Martha Graham Dance School in New York City. Today Lloyd is a valued member of the Martha Graham Company and continues to perform with them. Lloyd is considerably talented in his field and has been an ambassador for the Isle of Man Arts Council since 2014.
My personal experience of the IOM Arts has been fantastic. The Arts Council gave me the opportunity and the initial finances which began the journey that I have made so far.
-Lloyd Mayer
Michelle James
Michelle James
Michelle James is a singer and actor who grew up on the Island. Michelle went to Castle Rushen Highschool and is currently in her final year studying at the Royal Conservetoire of Scotland. She will graduate in July 2019 with a BA in Musical Theatre.
Michelle is multi-disciplinary artist who thrives on works collaboratively across different art forms. She is highly skilled in singing, acting, dancing and actor-musicianship (Saxophone). Michelle often returns the Island and teaches workshops and classes for young people and can also be found on Manx Radio's airwaves. Michelle is very thankful to the Isle of Man Arts Council for their support over her years of study.
Michelle is a unique local performer who is passionate about entertaining audiences. Michelle has performed with the Douglas Choral Union, Taylorian Productions, the Manx Operatic Society and the National Youth Theatre. Michelle was invited to be an Arts Council Ambassador following the Island of Culture year in 2014.
Find out more about Michelle James on our Artist Directory page.
Jason Evans
Jason Evans
Jason Evans was born on the Isle of Man, where he started learning to play the cornet since the age of 6. He studied the Royal Academy of Music, with a full scholarship under Mark David, Paul Beniston and John Hutchins. Jason has been an Arts Council Ambassador since 2014.
Prior to this, he studied at Chetham's School of Music in Manchester from the age of 10, being member of the National Youth Orchestra for the last two years of his studies at Chethams and Principal Trumpet for the last. Jason is part of a succesful London-based brass quintet, Total Brass, formed during his studies at the Royal Academy of Music.
Jason's emerging career has led to him performing with the Halle orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra and SuperBrass as well as playing Guest Principal Trumpet with the Gabrielli Consort, and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Touring experience has taken him to perform in countries including Spain, Italy, Germany, France, Greece, China and Japan.
Prior to joining the Philharmonia, Jason was on trial for the principal trumpet position in the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, being offered the principal trumpet positions in the latter two before deciding to join the Philharmonia Orchestra.
As a soloist, Jason has performed the Arutunian, Neruda and Haydn Trumpet Concerti with external orchestras, as well as many solo recitals including one at the Leeds College of Music in 2011. Being appointed to the position of Principal trumpet of the Philharmonia orchestra makes Jason one of the Youngest principal trumpets in the UK, and possibly the world.
The arts movement on the Isle of Man is one filled with excitement and diversity, and this has been my foundation to build on through interesting opportunities that I have been exposed to in the music world while studying and performing in London, and around the world.
-Jason Evans
Davy Knowles
Davy Knowles
Davy went to Castle Rushen High School and is a singer/songwriter and blues guitarist currently working in America and forging a highly successful music career. He played in local band Back Door Slam until deciding to follow a solo career.
His first solo album 'Coming up For Air' reached number two on the Billboard Blues Albums Charts on two separate occasions in 2009. Davy wrote and performed the anthem for the Isle of Man Commonwealth Youth Games in 2011 'Reach Higher' which was commissioned by the Arts Council. Davy still manages to come home on a regular basis and plays at venues across the Island.
I am thrilled and honoured to be asked to be amongst fine company as a Cultural Ambassador for the 'Island Of Culture'. I'm looking forward to helping promote our wonderful culture and heritage and at the same time diving in and deepening my own knowledge and understanding of the music of the Isle of Man.
-Davy Knowles
Clare Christian OBE
Clare Christian OBE
Clare Christian OBE is a Manx politician, who was President of Tynwald until 2016. She is a former member of the Legislative Council and former Health Minister in the Isle of Man Government. Clare Christian was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2016 Birthday Honours for services to the Isle of Man.
During Island of Culture 2014, Mrs Christian attended events as an audience member, supporter and speaker. Mrs. Christian has been a Patron of the Isle of Man Arts Council since July 2016.
Mrs. Christian was heavily involved in the installation of Michael Sandle's maquette of Godred Croven for display in the Legislative Buildings and led on work involving the Archibald Knox Society.
I am honoured to accept the invitation to be an Arts Council patron. I recognise the breadth and depth of the arts offering in the Island and I am delighted to lend support to all the people and organisations who embrace and nurture the arts in all their aspects in our community.
-Clare Christian
