NICK Sorensen, 53, is an independent education consultant and jazz saxophonist, who was headteacher at St Laurence School in Bradford on Avon from 1997-2003.
His consultancy business, The Improvising School, helps individuals and organisation and is about supporting people to develop the skills to become life-long learners. As a musician he performs regularly, principally with the pianist John Law, and also runs music workshops. He lives in Bradford with his partner and children.
How would your best friend describe you?
Loyal and reliable with a good, and rather wicked, sense of humour. I am aggravatingly optimistic.
Where would you recommend for a great evening out?
The Fat Fowl in Bradford on Avon. They have a wonderful menu, have just received an award and once a month jazz and blues musicians perform upstairs.
advertisement
What do you do for fun?
Jazz trumpeter Miles Davis, a great hero of mine, once remarked that playing jazz was the most fun you could have with your clothes on and I would agree with that!
What motto or phrase do you try to live your life by?
There is a very funny, practical and provocative book called Impro by Keith Johnstone. In it he says that you have to "accept what your imagination gives you or screw up your talent".
Who in the public eye do you most respect and why?
The Dalai Lama. The power of his leadership is rooted in deeply held beliefs, humility and the ability to understand your emotions. And he has a wonderful sense of humour!
What is your biggest regret?
I wish I had lived abroad for a while before going to university. To have discovered Italy when I was younger would have had a significant impact on my life.
What is your favourite TV programme or film and why?
At the moment I am really enjoying Waking the Dead because it's a very dark, ambiguous and complex. I also like classic 40s films like The Big Sleep and Casablanca.
What makes you sad?
The way so many people criticise the teaching profession. The problem with teachers is not that they are bad but that they don't know how good they are.
Describe your perfect day.
Breakfast of smoked haddock topped with a poached egg, spend the day walking with family and friends - preferably within sight of the sea - then visit an art gallery, ending with playing a gig at Ronnie Scott's.
If you liked this article and would like to share it with others on the web who might be searching for good content we've made it easy for you to do it.
At the bottom of all articles, you'll see links to six sites. These sites - commonly called 'social bookmark' or 'social news' sites - have large communities of web users who share and rate interesting, useful and fun things on the web.
Clicking the links will automatically add the address of the story you are reading to one of these sites, letting you share it with others. Each site will ask you to register to share stories. Registration is free and once a member, you can store, recommend and search for stories that interest you.
Print
Email this
