When I was in secondary school, I told a careers advisor that I wanted to play guitar and was immediately shot down. I vividly remember her explaining to me how that was unrealistic and I should probably just do English or Maths at university instead.
Fortunately I was, and continue to be, incredibly stubborn. Twenty years later, it paid off as I’ve just won this year’s Youth Music's Inspirational Music Leader award after solely working in music-related roles since leaving education. I have worked as an instrumental teacher, freelance Music Leader in an SEN college, at an independent record label, as a technician and lecturer at a mainstream college, as well as performing paid work in live bands, before my current role at The Music Works.
I know how important and life-changing music can be
When I was 16 I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, which has been a constant battle since. Music was always a way for me to cope with the physical and mental stress of the condition, and I spent my latter teenage years throwing myself into music.
I spent countless hours locked away in my room learning bass, guitar, keyboards, drums, and music production. I subsequently joined bands, made lifelong friends, played shows all around the UK and in Europe, so I know how important and life-changing music can be.
Music leading is a conglomeration of music therapy, teaching, youth work, and mentoring
The Music Works is a charity based in Gloucestershire with a mission to transform young lives through music. We have two inclusive music hubs in the county as well as delivering outreach sessions in schools and community spaces. We work with young people who face significant barriers whether through mental health, disability, health conditions, or in marginalised communities.
I joined in 2022 as Senior Music Leader with a specialism in disability and have subsequently run over six hundred sessions each year, including 1:1 music mentoring, small group workshops, and whole class.
I always find it hard to explain to others what my job is, as music leading is this conglomeration of music therapy, teaching, youth work, and mentoring with participant-led music making at its core. Sometimes this will be working on intense 1:1 projects such as finding accessible tech to allow someone to DJ using eye gaze, whereas other times it might be singing George Ezra’s ‘Shotgun’ on repeat ten times a day…
My current favourite project is called Mobile Mix & Mash, where I lead outreach sessions in libraries across the county working with young people with additional needs and their families. This has led to some incredible creative work from participants with titles such as ‘Books ’n’ Books ’n’ Books ’n’ Books’, ‘Remotes, Grapes, and Hermione Granger’, and a personal favourite - ‘My Spectacular Burp and Fart Song’!
Working with young people on what they can do rather than what they can’t
I firmly believe that music is for everyone. Much of my work is in SEN schools and I find myself working with young people who might never have considered themselves to be musical, despite having a deep love of music.
My work can involve using accessible technology to offer up new ways of making music. I use MIDI devices with Ableton, iPads, synthesisers, and musical gadgets, as well as live looping and the voice to work with young people on what they can do rather than what they can’t. I also make use of visuals and vibroacoustic technology to better include those with sensory impairments.
Children and young people are innately creative, so I use that enthusiasm and encourage a playful environment where there are no wrong notes. Much of my work is based on the social model of disability, seeking to remove systemic barriers, derogatory attitudes, and social exclusion to allow fully inclusive access to music.
Inspiring better representation in the music industry moving forwards
One project we do at The Music Works is called Inc Fest, which brings together 100+ young people across eight SEN schools in the county to sing and sign songs to a sell-out crowd backed by professional musicians at a local theatre. It is a heartwarming and emotional evening for everyone, and I strongly believe that giving opportunities like this to disabled young people can only inspire and lead to better representation in the music industry moving forwards.
Working with young people has made me cognisant of my own neurodivergence. Our 1:1 sessions emphasise a connection between the young person and Music Leader and can involve deep conversations about the challenges they might be facing.
Talking with young people with ADHD about symptoms such as insomnia, intrusive thoughts, and disorganisation were all things I recognised in myself growing up. I’ve since started my own journey on adult ADHD diagnosis pathways.
We are making a tangible difference to the lives of young people in Gloucestershire
Winning the Youth Music Award for Inspirational Music Leader, sponsored by the Musicians’ Union, was a total shock. The event was filled with incredibly inspiring people, and when my name was read out it took me several minutes to recognise it was actually me!
The walk to the stage was long and truly terrifying but I just about managed a speech before being whisked off on a media tour, very little of which I can remember as it went by in a whirlwind of emotions and energy (and my blood glucose was naturally all over the place)!
Once the shock settled down and I was able to process what this win meant, I couldn’t be more grateful. The Music Works is full of absolute rockstars, from DJs and MCs through to instrumentalists, singers, and songwriters and together, we are making a tangible difference to the lives of young people in Gloucestershire.