Illustration by Young

Hello.

I’m Claire Jackson – journalist and occasional editor. I write about classical music, opera and the arts, and animals (sometimes simultaneously).

I am a regular reviewer for BBC Music magazine and Opera Now, and am a columnist for the Big Issue. My work also appears in Country Life, as well as industry titles including Classical Music and International Arts Manager.

As a former editor of International Piano (2011-15), I have a keen [nerdy] interest in keyboard music and piano making. I’ve interviewed lots of the world’s leading pianists and peeked into plenty of workshops, studios and rehearsals. I’ve been interviewed by the Independent and the Guardian for piano-related stories. Before joining International Piano, I edited Muso (2008-11), an alternative classical music magazine that was distributed throughout conservatoires in the UK and the US. (Both International Piano and Muso were subject to coverage in Private Eye; a personal thrill.) I was acting editor of Music Teacher (spring 2015 editions, and during 2018 and 2020). I have supported delivery of the Music Education Expo and Music Teacher Awards for Excellence.

I provide copy writing for composers, performers, exam boards, management agencies and musical instrument manufacturers. Sometimes I write sleeve notes. I also work on a number of bespoke publishing, events and strategic communications projects across the arts and academia. Please get in touch if you’d like to discuss a future collaboration.

Other information: I am a personal assistant to Bow the miniature dachshund. Contemporary opera features highly in my interests, as does woodwind music and all types of making.

For examples of published work, please click on writing.