Shows
Music for Education & WellbeingPODCAST [48] Growing a trauma-informed creative organisation with Jenny Young of Blue CabinIn this episode I talk with Jenny Young, Director and founder of Blue Cabin, a charity based in the north East of England that strengthen relationships between care-experienced individuals and the people in their lives through creative activities. We talk about how Blue Cabin has grown, touching on developing practitioners, growing income streams, working with local authorities and adoption/fostering agencies, and evaluation.2025-07-1040 minMusic for Education & Wellbeing[47] One way to solve the arts framing problem? In this second mini podcast, I want to quickly touch on framing again, but this time, thinking about long-term, systemic solutions. But perhaps not in the way you might imagine. Because at a time when support for the arts from politicians in the UK doesn’t seem to be improving, I think we have a massive opportunity. It’s an opportunity to make a systemic shift our arts CPD and support system, a shift in focus that will enable us to · Change perceptions about the work we do, and why it matter...2025-06-2610 minMusic for Education & Wellbeing[46] Do the arts, culture and music have a framing problem? With Anita Holford In this short episode, I’m talking with … myself! In a change to the usual format, I’m sharing some thoughts on how we talk about why arts, culture and music matter. I touch on framing, messaging and decision science, and I mention organisations and individuals that can help, and are worth following. 2025-05-1617 minMusic for Education & Wellbeing[45] Evaluating and communicating impact: the key to resilience - with Adam Joolia, CEO, AudioActive How did a youth music charity go from moments of almost giving up, to being core funded by Arts Council England, and respected by commissioners/funders in public health and youth justice? Listen in on my chat about resilience with Adam Joolia, CEO of AudioActive, the brilliant Sussex charity that uses music as a tool for social change, education, and personal development with young people. 2025-03-0743 minMusic for Education & WellbeingPODCAST [44] A rich music education ecology – with Dr Ally Daubney, researcher & John Bergin, Newham MusicIn this episode, I talk with Dr Ally Daubney, educator, researcher, evaluator and author and John Bergin, CEO of Newham Music, one of the partners in the East London Music Alliance music education hub. Following 5 years of research into participation, professional development, progression and sustainability in music education, they’ve developed a model for what they term a ‘rich music education ecology’. 2025-01-0838 minMusic for Education & WellbeingPODCAST [43] Music education research, social justice and public engagement – with Erin Johnson-Williams and Caz CreaghIn this episode, I talk with Erin Johnson-Williams and Caz Creagh from the Arts & Humanities Research Council - Hub for Public Engagement with Music Research. The hub is part of the Centre for Music Education and Social Justice at Southampton University. It aims to connect music education research to real-world settings, and to fund research that informs government policy to have a lasting impact on people and music across the UK. 2024-11-2534 minMusic for Education & WellbeingPODCAST [42] Drumming research with young people and world-famous rock musicians - Professor Marcus Smith, Clem Burke Drumming Project In this episode, I talk with Professor Marcus Smith, who is co-founder of the Clem Burke Drumming project, based at Chichester University which is researching the physical, mental and health benefits of drumming. Marcus co-founded the project with Dr Clem Burke, who is the drummer with Blondie; and Professor Steve Draper of Hartpury University. We discuss the research, including the impact of drumming for young people with additional needs including those who are autistic. 2024-09-2537 minMusic for Education & WellbeingPODCAST [41] Running a community music organisation - with Nikki-Kate Heyes MBE, founder, soundLINCSIn this episode, I talk withNikki-Kate Heyes MBE, who was the founder, and until recently, CEO of soundLINCS, a community music organisation that’s been working with people from all walks of life through music, for 26 years. We talk about the development of the organisation, the health and direction of the community music sector, and Nikki-Kate gives her three tips for survival and resilience. 2024-08-2238 minMusic for Education & Wellbeing[40] Evidencing music education’s impact using local authority & music service data - with James Dickinson, Head of Hull Music Service and hub lead In this episode, I talk with James Dickinson, head of Hull Music Service, which is part of the local authority and also lead for the new music education hub covering Hull, East Riding, north and northeast Lincolnshire. We discuss how the music service is partnering with the local authority to use data to explore the impact of music on attainment. We also discuss how the service is using an annual impact report to engage partners, supporters and staff with the bigger picture around their value and impact. 2024-07-0131 min
Artworks AllianceArtWorks Alliance Podcast – Exploring Participatory Arts and Cultural BelongingWelcome to the latest episode of the ArtWorks Alliance Podcast, hosted by Rob Watson. In this conversation, Rob is joined by Anita Holford and Sarah Longfield, two professionals with extensive experience in participatory and community arts.
Anita Holford is a freelance communications practitioner, copywriter, and editor dedicated to making music and the arts more accessible. She collaborates with organisations focused on social, educational, or wellbeing purposes, helping them communicate their value and impact effectively. Sarah Longfield, a theatre director, social entrepreneur, and coach, has a background in participatory arts and a history of working with young people...2024-06-271h 11Music for Education & WellbeingPODCAST [39] Music, positive youth development, and academic partnerships, with Professor Beatriz Ilari, University of Southern CaliforniaIn this episode, I talk with Beatriz Ilari, a Professor at the Center for Music, Brain and Society at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles. We discuss a 10-year study looking at the impact of music and sports programmes for young people; and a short study using an evaluation method and approach to teaching called Positive Youth Development. We also discuss how academic researchers and music educators might connect to work in partnership. 2024-06-0633 minMusic for Education & WellbeingPODCAST [38] A new music and leadership course driven by young people’s musical passions, with James McPherson In this episode, I talk with James McPherson, Managing Director of Music Leaders UK, a new music course and award for secondary school age students. The downturn in numbers of young people pursuing music in schools and other settings is a worrying trend, particularly in the UK. The award aims to address this, by acknowledging learners’ own musical passions and interests while also developing their interpersonal and leadership skills. 2024-05-0819 minMusic for Education & WellbeingPODCAST [37] Music, healing and activism with Ami Gaston of the International Cultural Arts & Healing Sciences Institute A hate crime and a near death experience caused Ami Gaston to re-evaluate her life and future. She now works internationally to promote healing and wellbeing through music and activism. She’s worked with refugees and families through organisations such as the US government and the United Nations. She also has a great story to tell about performing for the Dalai Lama. 2023-01-1838 minMusic for Education & WellbeingPODCAST [36] Routes into the music industry with Dr Oliver Morris, UK Music; and Serona Elton, University of Miami and the Mechanical Licensing Collective In this episode, I talk with Serona Elton, from the University of Miami and the Mechanical Licensing Collective; and Dr Oliver Morris, Head of Education and Skills at UK Music. We talked about their routes into the music industry, and the challenges and opportunities for young people – and their families - wanting to understand what roles they could pursue in music. 2022-11-1844 minMusic for Education & WellbeingPODCAST [35] How singing and songwriting can help new mums experiencing mental health problems – with Penny Osmond, workshop and choir leader In this episode, I talk with Penny Osmond, workshop and choir leader, about her singing work with new mums who have perinatal mental health disorders. We discuss the first randomised control research in this area, led by Professors Rosie Perkins and Daisy Fancourt, which found that singing could relieve moderate to severe post-natal depression at double the rate of control groups. We also hear about Penny’s wider music and perinatal mental health programmes including Songs from Home – addressing social isolation in new mums through online songwriting, and Music at Heart, singing with mothers referred through a hospi...2022-07-2840 minMusic for Education & WellbeingPODCAST [34] Making music accessible to anyone through music tech instruments, with Emma Supica of ArtiphonIn this episode, I talk with Emma Supica, Education Coordinator for Artiphon, a music tech company that creates new instruments to enable everyone to be creative, with or without prior musical experience. It’s latest is the Orba, a palm-held instrument that can be used alone or connected to other technology. We talked about the importance of play in music; how the Orba is being used in education, wellbeing and social justice settings and can be adapted for different people and environments; and the value of participant and user voice in education and in tech. 2022-06-3035 minMusic for Education & WellbeingPODCAST [33] How Rocksteady Music school created a rock band model for inclusive music education – with Mark Robinson, founder In this episode, I talk with Mark Robinson, the founder of Rocksteady Music School, which brings in-school rock band lessons to primary schools across the UK. It’s a new model for music education that combines peripatetic tuition approaches with group rock band tuition and inclusive pedagogy, increasing children’s interest in and uptake of music lessons. Mark’s lightbulb moment was when he realised that children in his lunchtime band workshops were progressing faster than those in one-to-one lessons, and his mission ever since has been to get more children making music by choosing what they want to learn...2022-05-0539 minMusic for Education & WellbeingPODCAST [32] Reducing prisoner reoffending with music - Carl and Grace of Inhouse Records In this episode, I talk with musicians Carl aka C. Roots, and Grace from Inhouse Records. Inhouse is an award-winning record label for change, working inside and outside of prisons with emerging musicians who are prisoners. The team work to highlight the creative potential of prisoners and to reduce reoffending, focusing on what's strong, not what's wrong. They’re supported by a range of impressive partners and funders from the Universal Music Group to the Ministry of Justice, and have won awards for their social enterprise work 2022-04-0130 minMusic for Education & WellbeingPODCAST [31] From connection to catharsis: the benefits of singing in a choir, with Sam Chaplin from The Choir With No NameIn this episode, I talk with Sam Chaplin, community choir leader for The Choir With No Name, workshop leader, singer-songwriter, jazz trumpeter, pianist, composer and arranger. We discuss: how community choir leading is ‘caught rather than taught’; the four Cs of connection, confidence, congratulations and the catharsis of ‘singing it out and the song on Sam’s new album inspired by this; the value of peer mentors as part of advocating for the choir; music more central in everyone’s lives.2022-02-1031 minMusic for Education & WellbeingPODCAST [30] Community music, coaching and wellbeing – with Rachael Perrin, of Soundcastle In this episode, I talk with Rachael Perrin, a co-founder of community music organisation, Soundcastle, which runs projects in the south of England, coaches and trains music practitioners across the UK, and has an online community to support them. We talk about bringing together the music and social care worlds and wanting to find ‘other uses for music’; their Musical Beacons work with families and People’s Music Collectives work with adults on a journey of mental health recovery; the crossovers between coaching, mentoring and community music; the importance of creative autonomy; and wellbeing, the thread that runs through everythi...2021-12-0931 minMusic for Education & WellbeingPODCAST [29] How I became X Factor’s vocal coach, with Annabel Williams In this episode, I talk with head vocal coach for X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent, Annabel Williams. Annabel talks about her route into vocal coaching, gives some insights into the support given to TV talent show contestants and shares some tips and advice for vocalists. She goes on to talk about her The Vocal Coach app for singers of all levels wanting to develop their voices, or use singing for fun and wellbeing 2021-10-2035 minMusic for Education & Wellbeing[28 Routes into the profession from youth arts participant to soul vocalist, tutor and mentor - with JB Rose]In this episode, I’m talking with JB Rose who is a soul vocalist, recording artist, and vocal tutor at three charities (Heart and Soul, Clean Break Theatre Company and Second Wave Youth Arts where she’s also an Associate Director). JB has supported Chaka Khan, and worked with the likes of Coolio, Omar and Junior. Alongside all of this she also has an impressive scriptwriting and songwriting career. I was particularly interested in her beginnings in youth arts, and the difference that’s made to her progression into the music industry.2021-08-0237 min
Music for Education & WellbeingPODCAST [27] Progressive, inclusive whole class instrumental teaching with Helen Brookes, Services for Education Music Service, BirminghamIn this episode, I talk with Helen Brookes, Head of Whole Class Instrumental Teaching for Services for Education Music Service, Birmingham which leads the music education hub for the city. It’s part of the Services for Education charity, which provides a range of services to schools from school-centred initial teacher training to school improvement consultancy. We talk about the services’s progression model for whole class instrumental teaching; taking that model online during the pandemic; how they bring inclusion into the work in SEN/D and mainstream schools; and managing the balance between partnering with and marketing to schools.2021-05-2046 minMusic for Education & Wellbeing[26] Developing the next generation of jazz musicians – with Janine Irons and Gary Crosby of Tomorrow’s WarriorsIn this episode, I’m talking with pioneering and award-winning jazz musicians, educators, and producers Janine Irons MBE and Gary Crosby OBE, who together run the music education and development charity Tomorrow’s Warriors. We talk about their routes into music and their work addressing barriers to music and the music industry for young people facing barriers to progression in the music industry – in particular black or/and female musicians.2021-03-2645 minMusic for Education & Wellbeing[25] Equality, Diversity & Inclusion planning and instrumental tutor training with Roz De Vile of Music MastersIn this episode, I’m talking with Roz De Vile, CEO of Music Masters, a music education charity that runs group music making programmes in five London schools, teacher training, and has developed ‘I’m In’, a diversity tool and process to help music organisations to be more inclusive and better reflect the society we live in. This episode was recorded in December 2020 and before the new January lockdown rules in England.2021-01-1439 minMusic for Education & Wellbeing[24] Trauma-informed practices in community music & music education – with Catherine Birch, York St John UniversityIn this episode, I’m talking with Catherine Birch, who is a senior lecturer in Community Music at York St John University. She is currently researching, how trauma-informed approaches can benefit community music practice, through singing and songwriting work with women prisoners as part of the York St John Prison Partnership.2020-12-1700 minMusic for Education & Wellbeing[23] How we use reflective practice: with music tutors from Hertfordshire Music ServiceIn this episode, I’m talking with Ije Amaechi, Victoria Port, and Ross Lanning: music tutors working for Hertfordshire Music Service, part of a local authority in the UK. They specialise in working with young people who face barriers to music education, particularly those with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties.2020-10-2932 minMusic for Education & Wellbeing[22] Music as a tool to connect & heal – with Laura Hassler, Director, Musicians Without BordersIn this episode, I’m talking with Laura Hassler, Founder and Director of Musicians Without Borders. It’s a charity based in Amsterdam that uses the power of music for peacebuilding and social change, particularly in areas of war and conflict ||| There are many reasons why you’ll be interested in Musicians with Borders. From its early beginnings as a bus full of musicians bringing music to refugee camps and communities affected by the Balkan Wars, to its community music work in Palestine, Central Eastern Africa, Central America and Europe and training of music leaders. Laura herself has had a fascin...2020-09-1746 minMusic for Education & Wellbeing[21] Body percussion, STOMP & accessible music-making with Ollie Tunmer of Beat Goes OnIn this episode, I’m talking with Ollie Tunmer of Beat Goes On. Ollie teaches STOMP-style body percussion and samba drumming to all ages, including in schools from primary to secondary, and to teachers. In primaries, he’s developed Body Percussion with Literacy, working with literacy specialist Pie Corbett, and his sessions recently moved online during lockdown.2020-07-2342 minMusic for Education & Wellbeing[20] Representation and inclusion in music education – with Malaki Patterson, music producer, manager and community musicianIn this episode, I’m talking with Malaki Patterson, who is Gloucestershire-based music producer, community musician, music manager, and creative director. Malaki has helped to achieve much change in the county, to support young people facing barriers in access to music and progression routes into the industry.2020-06-2535 min
Music for Education & Wellbeing[19] Pandemic mini-series: Sally Cathcart, The Curious Piano TeachersSally Cathcart of The Curious Piano Teachers, shares how they’re continuing to provide services and support to piano teachers, and piano teachers to young people, during lockdown.2020-06-0426 minMusic for Education & Wellbeing[18] Pandemic mini-series: Stuart Birnie, Services for Education Music Service BirminghamStuart Birnie of Services for Education Music Service Birmingham, shares how they’re continuing to provide services and support to young people during lockdown.2020-05-2930 minMusic for Education & Wellbeing[17] Pandemic mini-series: Steph Dickinson, Pie Factory MusicSteph Dickinson, of Pie Factory Music, an East-Kent creative youth charity, shares how they’re continuing to provide services and support to young people during lockdown.2020-05-2723 minMusic for Education & Wellbeing[16] Pandemic mini-series: Emma Coulthard, Cardiff County & the Vale of Glamorgan Music ServiceEmma Coulthard, of Cardiff County and the Vale of Glamorgan Music Service , shares how they’re continuing to provide services and support to young people during lockdown.2020-05-2523 minMusic for Education & Wellbeing[15] Pandemic mini-series: Neil Phillips, Awards for Young MusiciansNeil Phillips, of Awards for Young Musicians, shares how they’re continuing to provide funding and support to young people and those who teach and mentor them, during lockdown.2020-05-2222 minMusic for Education & Wellbeing[14] Pandemic mini-series: Helen Murray, Nottingham Music HubHelen Murray, of Nottingham Music Hub, shares how they’re continuing to provide support and services to young people during lockdown.2020-05-2027 minMusic for Education & Wellbeing[13] Pandemic mini-series: Ben O’Sullivan, The Music WorksBen O’Sullivan of The Music Works, a Gloucestershire-based community music charity shares how they’re continuing to provide support and services to young people during lockdown.2020-05-1502 minMusic for Education & Wellbeing[12] Bev Foster of Room 217, on using music to change the culture of careIn this episode, I’m talking with Bev Foster, Founding Director of Room 217, a Canadian social enterprise that uses music to change the culture of care || Bev started the organisation with her husband Rob, after experiencing first-hand the power of music for her dying father || It now provides music training for care staff as well as research-informed products like conversation cards, music books, and CDs, so that music can become an integral part of the day-to-day life of the home.2020-04-2346 min
Music for Education & Wellbeing[11] Elle Williams, one-to-one music tutor - on working with disabled people and those with additional needsIn this episode, I’m talking with Elle Williams, a classically-trained guitarist who previously worked as a music tutor in mainstream schools, and now specialises solely in one-to-one music lessons with disabled people and those with additional needs || We talk about: the lack of music tutors working one-to-one with disabled people, particularly young people with moderate or profound and multiple disabilities; the tendency for provision in special needs schools to be music therapy or group music-making; and where tutors can find information and guidance to broaden their skills to reach more young people || Elle also shares three helpful tips for fe...2020-02-1424 minMusic for Education & Wellbeing[10] Paul McManus, Chief Executive, Music Industries Association, on music education and music industry partnershipsIn this episode, I’m talking with Paul McManus, CEO of the Music Industries Association (MIA), the trade body for the musical instrument industry. The MIA work in a number of ways to support music education for all ages, and recently in October 2019, held the first of what will now become an annual conference focused on music education and the music industry working together. The MIA also has a charitable arm called Music for All, which runs initiatives like the Learn to Play day and Make Music Day UK, and gives grants to encourage more people to make music.2019-12-1836 minMusic for Education & Wellbeing[9] Jimmy Rotheram, primary school music teacher, on advocating for music educationIn this episode, I’m talking with Jimmy Rotheram of Feversham Primary, Bradford. Jimmy is the teacher who was thrust into the spotlight to tell the story of how music contributed to transforming his school. He’s a great example of how one person with a mission and a story can get noticed and listened to - and can make a difference through music education advocacy.2019-11-1646 minMusic for Education & Wellbeing[8] The role of freelancers in the arts and music sector - with Ruth Jones, youth arts specialistIn this episode, I’m talking with Ruth Jones, who is a youth arts specialist, trainer, music development manager and bass player, as well as being an experienced arts and music development manager currently working with Arts Awards and Wiltshire Music Connect || We discuss the value self-employed people bring to the sector and the challenges they face || Ruth shares some tips about being clear on your purpose, marketing yourself and earning money|| And we talk about what organisations can do to support this growing workforce2019-10-1736 minMusic for Education & Wellbeing[7] How can parents/carers involve children in pre-school music? With Liv McClennan, community musicianIn this episode, I’m talking with Liv McLennan, who is a community musician and a specialist in early years music || We discuss what parents and carers can do to introduce music to their pre-school child, and share some ideas for making music with babies, toddlers, and pre-schoolers || We talk about || keeping it simple - thinking of music as communicating using what’s available to you daily || being guided by your baby/child || combining music with movement and touch || introducing music to your regular daily routines || using the music you enjoy and not being limited to ‘kiddies’ music || finding a range of...2019-09-1533 minMusic for Education & Wellbeing[6] Getting media coverage for your music education and community music work – with Penny James, Cardiff-based media publicistIn this episode, I’m talking with Penny James, Cardiff-based freelance press and PR specialist who’s held PR Manager roles with organisations such as Welsh National Opera and St David’s Hall, and has gained national and in some cases international coverage for Wales Millennium Centre, Music Theatre Wales, Black Rat Productions, Artes Mundi and many others ||| We talk about * how to prepare for approaching journalists * why you need a content calendar and a media toolkit and what they contain * thinking creatively about where you place your stories * the importance of documenting your work * preparing a press release * what you ca...2019-08-0233 minMusic for Education & Wellbeing[5] Making music education a core subject in the poorest schools in New York – Education Through MusicIn this episode, I’m talking with Penny Swift, Executive Director and Katherine Damkohler, Director of National Activities of Education Through Music (ETM). ETM is a New York-based organisation working with under-resourced schools to provide music education as a core subject for all students ||| It’s grown significantly over the last few years, and has an effective model which combines partnering with schools in the poorest neighbourhoods, and employing and training music teachers who then go on to be employed by the schools ||| We talk about how ETM: * works with every class in each school, for 1-3 years – prioritising ‘long-term, sequenti...2019-07-1253 minMusic for Education & Wellbeing[4] Young people, music mentoring and digital stories - with Simon Glenister of Noise SolutionIn this episode, I’m talking with Simon Glenister, Director of Noise Solution, a social enterprise based in Bury St Edmunds which provides 1-1 music mentoring programmes using music technology for young people in challenging circumstances |||| Noise Solution is interesting for a number of reasons. Firstly, the business model is unusual for this sector – Noise Solution is not a charity and all of its income for delivery comes from commissioning ||| Secondly, they use digital storytelling as a central part of the work and its evaluation ||| And thirdly, they have developed a robust evaluation model that’s recognised by the Cabinet Office...2019-06-1554 minMusic for Education & Wellbeing[3] Breaking the mould: Wiltshire Music Connect’s community development model for a music education hubIn this episode, I’m talking with Nick Howdle and Sophie Amstell of Wiltshire Music Connect, which is a music education hub. Hubs are partnerships of organisations in England, who receive government funding to create joined-up music education provision in their local area as part of the government’s national plan for music education to 2020 |||| The Hub works in quite a different way from other hubs because it has a small team which doesn’t deliver music education, but devolves this to a range of music tutors and organisations, and supports local clusters with CPD, networking, and identifying needs |||| We talk a...2019-05-1549 minMusic for Education & Wellbeing[2] Music therapy, community music and music education - Dr Simon Procter, Nordoff RobbinsIn this episode, I’m talking with Dr Simon Proctor who is Director of Music Services (Education, Research and Public Affairs) for Nordoff Robbins, the national music therapy charity. You may know Nordoff Robbins because of famous supporters like Nile Rodgers, Sting, Ricky from Kaiser Chiefs, and many others, as well as fundraising events given by people like the Premiere Football League and the Music Industry Trusts Awards. We talk about: We talk about: • how Simon became involved with music therapy • what music therapy is and does • the intersection between community music and music therapy • evaluation and evidence for music work...2019-04-1550 min
Music for Education & Wellbeing[1] Music education, brain research & advocacy - with Dr Anita CollinsIn this episode, I talk to Dr Anita Collins, an educator, researcher and writer in the field of brain development and music learning, based in Australia.You may know Anita from her TED Ed lesson, How playing an instrument benefits your brain, and her TEDx talk, What if every child had access to music education from birth? And more recently, she’s starred in the Australian version of a British TV show, ‘Don’t Stop the Music’.We talk about: • why Anita is so passionate about this area of work and her early childhood struggles with readi...2019-03-1450 min