A PIONEERING Dumbarton business delivering music production programmes in the community has bagged yet another award for its innovative work.

Skapade Studios, based in Castlegreen Street, picked up the Community Impact Award at the Working4Business Awards on April 27 for the second year in a row.

The state-of-the-art independent studio was founded by Stephen Kirkwood, 29, and has grown to work with many of the area’s schools and education departments to teach children about music production in various styles of electronic music.

And this latest award goes to show just how much Stephen and his team are firing imaginations.

Speaking to the Reporter, Stephen, who also has a music career as a DJ, said: “What we’re doing is resonating in the area. It’s just a monumental feeling.

“It’s all about the team. A massive shout out to all the people who work with us, it’s a big effort across the board.

“I’m very confident we are bringing something new and innovative.

“I think the music industry is clouded with myth. That was the issue I had growing up in Dumbarton – there were no studios and I was the only DJ in the area.

“We created a platform for young people to demystify the whole thing. People are achieving amazing things through the studio.”

In just three years since SKapade started up, Stephen’s venture has gone from strength to strength, with the team now consisting of two full-time and five part-time employees.

He and colleague Jack Dyer were recently involved with the filming of a BBC documentary mini-series, as they helped budding DJ Christopher Knowles, who has Down’s syndrome, to prepare for his first gig in front of a home crowd in Oban.

SKapade have also just received an invitation to Prince Charles’ birthday celebration at Buckingham Palace on May 22.

And SKapade’s work within the community took Stephen to the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh just last week, where he jumped out of his comfort zone to give a talk to MSPs.

Stephen said: “It was great, it was a totally different experience.

“I like the idea that I’m giving something back. It’s a rewarding feeling.”