Percussion is physical, as most instruments are. The body must function well in order to play the instruments well. Last year I climbed Mount Kilimanjaro.

My favorite instrument is the snare drum. In Scotland, the snare drum is very prominent in Highland bands. The Scottish style of playing is in my blood. It's a very powerful instrument, but it can also be soothing, like velvet. It's a real challenge for composers.

And as I grew older, I then auditioned for the Royal Academy of Music in London, and they said, well, no, we won't accept you, because we haven't a clue - you know - of the future of a so-called 'deaf' musician. And I just couldn't quite accept that.

I like the sparkle of the vibraphone.

Society cannot continue to disable themselves through their need to categorize people or make assumptions as to another individual's abilities.

Concerts have to be seen as a real event for which the aim is to try and feed everybody.

I walk into a kids' store, and it's amazing, the types of instruments - little squeaky things, rattling things, spinning tops.