University Centre Colchester | School of Visual and Performing Arts

Mick is Head of School of Visual and Performing Arts and is responsible for the overall management, planning, curriculum development and artistic direction.

Mick has extensive experience of delivering and heading Art-based programmes in Further and Higher Education settings in the UK, including positions at Leeds School of Art and Stamford College.

His professional work combines the role of artist and educationalist. A lot of Mick’s early work was in film animation and he produced a number of shorts, one of which was selected for the Cambridge Animation Festival. He also worked on the original series of Superted animated cartoons; up to that point at least, the only non-Disney cartoon to make it onto the Disney TV channel. Mick also worked commercially for several years, as a freelance artist, illustrator and sign writer.

Read staff profile

Stephen Ellison is Course Leader on BA (Hons) Fashion and Printed Textiles. As well as delivering textiles and contextual studies elements of the course, he has academic and administrative responsibility for the programme, facilitating live projects, arranging visiting speakers, exhibitions, shows, study trips and maintaining links with industry and employers.

Stephen has an MA Printed Textiles from the Royal College of Art, London and has worked as a Lecturer at University Centre Colchester since 2020. His understanding of the specialism of Printed Textiles has been acquired through 20 years of experience in the industry, having had a diverse and contrasting career in design, with experience in various print for fashion studios in Stockholm, London and New York.

Stephen currently makes bespoke, hand printed linen products for the home, exclusively made to order.

Read staff profile

Matthew de Kersaint Giraudeau is Course Leader for BA (Hons) Fine Art. Matthew has taught at universities and alternative art institutions across the country at undergraduate and post graduate level and before joining University Centre Colchester was an Associate Lecturer at Chelsea College of Arts on their Postgraduate Diploma in Fine Art.

Matthew is both artist and a teacher, exhibiting work across the country and internationally.

Matthew is currently undertaking a practice based PhD at Kingston School of Art where he is researching direct address in performance and video.

Read staff profile

Matthew is a Lecturer in Acting for Musical Theatre and Directing. Matthew has experience in teaching acting to primary ages right up to university level, and has previously delivered classes at Birmingham School of Acting & East 15 Acting school.

With over 10 years of industry experience Matthew has dedicated his work on the belief that creativity and artistic expression is a catalyst for change.

Matthew is an experienced practitioner having worked with educational theatre companies such as Rainbow Theatre Co. and continues to practition at the Mercury Theatre Colchester

Read staff profile

Dr Mark Pulman is a lecturer in Music and Performing Arts, teaching modules: in Critical Studies in Musical Theatre; Musicianship and Music Teaching in Practice. Mark also works as an accompanist for auditions and performances.

Mark is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and an Associate of the Royal College of Music (ARCM). He is also a former Head of Music in three secondary schools.

His professional life encompasses both popular and classical music performance, and music education. Mark has substantial industry experience with various music companies at senior levels, including Novello & Co Ltd, Warner/Chappell Music, Hal Leonard (USA), and Spartan Press.

Read staff profile

Julien Mery is the Programme Leader for the Digital Film Production degree course at University Centre Colchester. He teaches on the production and technology-based modules.

Julien has worked for over 15 years in the film and education sector in Germany, France, Denmark and the UK. He also works as regular media trainer for the UNHCR in Europe and West Africa.

To date, he has self-produced two feature films and established a regional organisation to help promote and coordinate film production activities across East Anglia. The formal network he established now has over 1500 talent and crew listed which he regularly provides with employment opportunities. As a result, he has supported over 8 feature film productions, along with countless shorts films and TV programmes filming in East Anglia, several of which our students were involved in.

Read staff profile

Simon Warne is Course Leader and Lecturer in Musical Theatre. He is the musical director of college choral groups, showcases and other course productions. Before joining University Centre Colchester, Simon combined his role as a lay clerk at Chelmsford Cathedral with working for Essex Music Services’ choral development and peripatetic singing team.

Simon is an experienced choral director and workshop leader, who works with a diverse range of advanced, and community based choirs including regular direction of the Essex County Youth Choirs.

He now combines his knowledge of traditional choral music with an in depth understanding of voice and physiology, through his wide experience of the Estill Model.

Read staff profile

Dr Mark Pulman is a lecturer in Music and Performing Arts, teaching modules: in Critical Studies in Musical Theatre; Musicianship and Music Teaching in Practice. Mark also works as an accompanist for auditions and performances.

Mark is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and an Associate of the Royal College of Music (ARCM). He is also a former Head of Music in three secondary schools.

His professional life encompasses both popular and classical music performance, and music education. Mark has substantial industry experience with various music companies at senior levels, including Novello & Co Ltd, Warner/Chappell Music, Hal Leonard (USA), and Spartan Press.

Read staff profile

Jason is a lecturer in Music Technology and teaches subjects including composition and production, alongside administrative responsibilities involving module creation.

Jason has extensive experience in education and industry, having spent 20+ years as a peripatetic teacher and composer in film, television and other media.

In addition to film and television, Frederick has also scored television advertisements, promotional trailers, and documentary subjects. He has played on recordings with artists such as Billy Preston, Peter Thomas and Will Young, and has played on soundtrack sessions for film and television.

Read staff profile