A large part of my work has been collaborating with composers; I think we've commissioned about 140 pieces now, a lot of them percussion concertos.

I hope the seeds I have sown will be taken up by those who will follow me because the journey I have begun cannot be undertaken in isolation.

Apart from Scottish traditional music, I wasn't really influenced by any kind of music. I just basically followed my own instincts.

I suppose I don't hear things, but I listen, if you know what I mean. And there is a big difference between hearing and listening. So it's like a conversation, you know. When you speak to someone, it's one on one, and that's exactly how I play.

I am really quite fascinated by echo-locating bats and dolphins and have always wondered how sound affects the unconscious brain.

I'm not a deaf musician. I'm a musician who happens to be deaf.

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