I am of British and Afro Caribbean heritage, and a parent of two children who are of mixed Afro Caribbean, British and African descent. My sons are both on the Autistic Spectrum, but with differing abilities. As a former medical professional working with special needs children and adults, and also as a parent, I am passionately concerned about access to music. I have personal experience of how beneficial music is to the progress and well being of both mainstream and special needs children and adults.
As a Secondary School Headteacher, I see firsthand the benefits of music and creativity to all students. As someone involved in education and governance across Brighton & Hove and East Sussex for over 20 years, I have always championed music and will continue to be an advocate for music for all.
Stewart is director and CEO of the De La Warr Pavilion (DLWP) Charitable Trust, with a 30 year career in cultural organisations, including the Museum of London and Crafts Council. He has established DLWP as a major music venue on the live circuit, with appearances by Kae Tempest, Jah Shaka, Wyes Blood, Napalm Death, Pixies, John Grant, Cat Power, Patti Smith and Goldfrapp, amongst many others. Stewart also played a key part in the establishment of OUTLANDS, the national experimental music network representing diverse organisations – from ‘NPO to DIY’, including Fat Out, Supersonic Festival, Fuse, KARST and MK Gallery. The network is now an Arts Council England funded client in its own right. Recently, DLWP entered into a partnership with Eastbourne to extend the music programme along the coast - launching with a Blur Wembley warm up show, and Peaches alongside the launch of Turner Prize in 2023.
Dr Marusa Levstek holds a PhD titled “Social Change Through Marginalised Young People’s Engagement with Inclusive Group Music-Making”, which was supported by Create Music (Brighton and Hove Music & Arts at the time of completion). Marusa's expertise lies in music education sector, EDI, community engagement and project evaluation. Marusa currently holds a role as a post-doctorate researcher with StoryFutures, Royal Holloway, University of London, applying her expertise to the development of new creative technologies.
Phil has been an Artist Manager since 1988 managing first The Levellers who achieved 1 Platinum and 5 Gold records with Phil and headlined the Glastonbury Festival before starting their own Beautiful Days Festival. He went on to manage The Longpigs, and current clients include Grammy and Ivor Novello winning Matt Hales/Aqualung, Duke Special and Sweet Billy Pilgrim. Phil worked for the Society for the Promotion of New Music (SPNM) where he ran NMC Recordings, and EMAS, which he renamed Sonic Arts Network (this and SPNM have now been folded into Sound & Music). Phil was the Vice Chair of the Music Managers’ Forum from 1997-2007. He co-founded The Great Escape Festival and now runs the Education conference at TGE and Pathways Into Music with Chris Cooke. Phil is Principal Lecturer for the MA in Popular Music Practice at BIMM University, London. He is a lapsed bassoonist.
After graduating with an MA in Arts Administration and Cultural Policy at Goldsmiths College (University of London) Lucy started her career in arts education as the Scottish Chamber Orchestra Connect Director. She has been Head of Learning & Engagement at Glyndebourne since 2012. The award-winning programme supports people to discover opera, co-create new work, and provide opportunities to those who may not otherwise have them to develop their talent. During that time Lucy has also been Chair of RESEO (European Network of Opera, Music and Dance Education) and a governor of Ringmer Primary School.
Imogen is one of two Associate Producers at Opera Holland Park, working closely with the Chief Executive and Artistic Director to plan and produce the OHP season of 5-6 operas per year as well as other artistic output. Prior to joining Opera Holland Park she worked for the Young Artist Programmes at Britten Pears Arts and at the Royal Opera House.
Chris Stones is currently Director of Community and Education at the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and a Create Music Board Member. He has extensive experience in learning and engagement in the fields of music and opera, not least from his various roles at Glyndebourne between 2013 and 2023.
Erin is an undergraduate student reading Music at Oxford University and former student of Create Music. She received music lessons through the hub from aged 6 and participated in ensembles, music tours and many concerts during her time there, as well as volunteering at ensembles for younger students. She led Brighton & East Sussex Youth Orchestra and was a Student Leader, providing valuable feedback to staff on the student experience of the hub during and moving out of the pandemic. She is interested in all aspects of (mainly classical) music performance at university, from violin or clarinet playing to singing and conducting, though she also enjoys coming back to sit on the board for Create Music. There she learns a lot about education policy in line with her academic interests in community music and social justice, and provides the board with an invaluable student perspective. Erin doesn't know exactly what she will do with her career yet, but thinks the next step will probably be a postgraduate degree in either musicology or music therapy.
Ebou Touray is the CEO of African Night Fever, He has a passion for disseminating and increasing the awareness of African & African Caribbean cultures and heritage in the UK, with a focus on music. Ebou’s passion for African Music led him to co-found ANF 20 years ago. The organisation, which has a niche practice within the UK of increasing exposure for music and musicians of African and African Caribbean influenced, has Ebou at its helm. African Night Fever is one of the leading contributors and programmers within the world music sector in the UK.
Nicky is the Careers Manager at BIMM Institute Brighton and is dedicated to helping students get ready for work in the music industry, arranging internships, volunteering opportunities and work experience. BIMM students have interned at businesses including Universal, BMG, Sony and The Great Escape Festival. Career highlights include being a panellist for The Great Escape’s Education Conference and DIY Magazine’s Education Tour event. Nicky is a heavy-rock vocalist. She used to front all-girl metal band Vier playing at festivals such as Hard Rock Hell and was a backing singer for Canadian metal act The Devin Townsend Project at a sold-out Royal Albert Hall show. She started in the world of music journalism, writing reviews for Rocksound online, working at Total Rock Radio and had a brief stint at Kerrang! magazine. Nicky currently is a singer in professional alt-choir, Choir Noir.
