Kay Charlton is a trumpet player, educator and composer and teaches KS2 music, brass and WCET (whole class ensemble teaching). She completed an MA in Music Education at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in 2018, and was delighted to be awarded the Director’s Prize for Excellence in Music Education. Her passion for making music fun and accessible for beginners has led to a number of tutor books, and she is the author of How to teach Whole-class instrumental lessons: 50 Inspiring Ideas (Collins Music).

Andy was a stand-up comedian, actor/director and part of a BAFTA winning team and has had EdFringe Firsts. He has taught, taken masterclasses and directed at many institutions such as the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. His book The Excellent Audition Guide is a best seller. He has helped 400+ people into drama schools, and coaches actors including Vanessa Kirby, Viveik Kalra and Maxim Baldry.

Adam Milford is a stage actor, director, West End collaborator, and educator who has been working in theatre since 1993. His credits include UK tours, classical and contemporary productions, and international projects, and for the past 14 years has run Theatre Workout, the leading producer of theatre workshops in London's West End.

Annabel Thomas is Head of Development, UK&I Arts at Trinity College London, leading on supporting arts teachers to engage with Trinity's suite of arts qualifications. Prior to her current role she has held positions in Learning and Outreach teams at The National Theatre, Rambert Dance Company and regional arts organisations. She has been a school governor at primary and secondary levels.

Ollie is the director of ‘Beat Goes On’, a percussion workshop company specialising in STOMP-style Body Percussion and Afro-Brazilian Percussion. They deliver workshops and CPD sessions throughout the UK including at the Music & Drama Education EXPO, the Music Mark Annual Conference and for numerous music education hubs throughout the UK.

Beat Goes On also work with a range of international schools. This has included keynote presentations at the Latin American Heads Conference in São Paulo, BSME (British Schools in the Middle East)’s inaugural Music & Drama Conference in Dubai, Musical Futures Australia's 'Big Gig' in Melbourne, a residency at North London Collegiate School Jeju in South Korea, '798 ICAF' Festival in Beijing,  Little Kids Rock's 'Modern Band Summit' in Colorado, USA and numerous events throughout Europe.

Ollie is a former cast member of the hit show STOMP and their sister show ‘The Lost & Found Orchestra’. He is also an ex secondary music teacher and combines these to create experiences that are beneficial, memorable and great fun!

His body percussion tutorial ‘Body Beats - an easy and fun guide to the art of Body Percussion’, published through Hal Leonard, is available from www.beatgoeson.co.uk
For free downloadable resources, videos and all workshop and teacher training enquiries please visit www.beatgoeson.co.uk and follow @BeatGoesOnUK

Benjamin Turner is director of music at ELAM (East London Arts and Music) and founder/managing director of Rap Club Productions C.I.C. He is an award-winning educator and youth leader and has been recognised for his work supporting young people at risk of youth violence.

Mike Simpson is the Musical Director of Inspire-works, a Trinity College London examiner and author of Rhinegold Education’s Teach & Play world-music series. He is also a trained REMO HealthRHYTHMS facilitator, Rhythm2Recovery facilitator, Mental Health First Aider and an Associate of the Royal Society of Public Health. In 2020, Mike authored the #BodyPercussion #RecoveryCurriculum which has been used by approximately 200,000 children over 1,500 schools in 24 countries.

After studies at the Royal Academy of Music and the University of London, Paul Harris has now established an international reputation as one of the UK's leading educationalists. Paul writes frequently on music education and is in great demand as a workshop and seminar leader around the world.

Liz Rozier is a music education consultant and teacher based in the East Midlands with more than 25 years of experience as a music lead and subject teacher across key stages 1-5. Passionate about music and its role within education, Liz has created resources and given training for British Council and music hubs. Liz enjoys working to help teachers deliver the curriculum that their children deserve.

Ali Warren brings over 30 years of Drama teaching experience to this session. She is a Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching and a Founder member of Open Drama.

Marcia Carr completed her training at Royal Holloway (University of London) where she returned to start her PhD. She is a recognised Feldenkrais Practitioner completing her graduating year with Sussex VIII (FITC); her specialism is in ‘tuning bodies’ for performance.

Marcia is also Deputy Chief Examiner for the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), an Associate Artist with National Youth Theatre of Great Britain and has her own theatre Companies, Impetuous Kinship and Creative Blast, specialising in making theatre with the Community and providing training in all aspects of Performance including specialisms in delivery with SEN and young people. Marcia is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and has just achieved her SFHEA. Her vocal training is in the classical and musical theatre voice.

As a performer Marcia has toured nationally and Internationally and has won and been nominated for a number of awards: Tours include The Wild Party (The Mousepeople) Time Out Critics Choice, nominations - Vita Award, Market Theatre, Johannesburg, Best Ensemble, Stage and Television Award; Pigtales (Inamorata),Best Fringe Performer 2000, Manchester Evening Standard, nominated for Best Production; the Little Girl who was too fond of matches Best Actor 2007, Buxton Festival, nominated for Best Production (Impetuous Kinship).

After 16 years as Head of Department at Kingswood School in Bath, Catherine Nash has recently taken on a new role at St Laurence School in Bradford on Avon. She is proud to have been a co founder of Open Drama UK and enjoys sharing good practice as well as moderating and examining for GCSE.

Rachel is head of learning and development for Rocksteady’s skilled professional musicians, who teach over 30,000 primary school children every week. Her focus is to remove all barriers to learning music and inspire more children to engage and learn music in school. An experienced speaker at high profile educational events, she regularly hosts seminars and training sessions for primary schools throughout the UK, helping teachers support and inspire their pupils.

Dan has over 20 years’ experience as a senior leader and teacher in a range of educational contexts. As a trumpet player and pianist, Dan has performed across the UK and Europe in orchestral, jazz and pop ensembles and believe firmly in an holistic and integrated approach to music education.

Cheryl Stapleton is the founder of Learning Through Theatre. She trained at Ècole Philippe Gaulier in physical theatre, masks and mime and now specialises in storytelling and commedia dell’arte. She also delivers communication & leadership workshops and specialist CPD for teachers internationally. She is passionate about enabling others to achieve.

Alexander Pullinger is a freelance classical singer, teacher and LGBTQ+ advocate. In his choral and opera work, he has become increasingly aware of the prejudice faced by gender non-conforming singers. He is currently conducting funded research on obstacles faced by trans singers because of gendered expectations attached to voice type.

I am a professional violinist and member of the first violins in the City of London Sinfonia. In 2017 I developed a Music & Mindfulness program within the orchestra and independently using live music, mindfulness techniques and guided meditation. I am an experienced workshop leader and performer.

Annie Sheen (Music) and Kate Barden (Drama) are educators, youth workers and creative, trauma informed practitioners. Having worked in both formal and informal settings, they are passionate about co-curating work with young people. Join them as they share music and drama activities using the PACE model.

Annie Sheen (Music) and Kate Barden (Drama) are educators, youth workers and creative, trauma informed practitioners. Having worked in both formal and informal settings, they are passionate about co-curating work with young people. Join them as they share music and drama activities using the PACE model.

Barbara Houseman is an acclaimed voice and acting coach and theatre director who has worked extensively in the West End, with the RSC, the Young Vic and Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. Her books, Finding Your Voice and Tackling Text, are an invaluable resource for actors and teachers. In collaboration with Digital Theatre+, the world’s leading educational platform for the performing arts.

Chris Weber is the co-founder and owner of Songbug, a company dedicated to song writing and singing workshops in primary schools, as well as liturgical music for faith primary and secondary schools. Chris has many years of experience working with all Key Stages around the country and is an experienced instrumentalist and composer. Alongside Josh, he has developed the Songbug website as a resource tool for teachers to stream and download original songs to be used both in the classroom and in extra-curricular performances.

Josh Simpson is the co-founder and owner of Songbug, a company dedicated to song writing and singing workshops in primary schools, as well as liturgical music for faith primary and secondary schools. Josh has many years of experience working with all Key Stages around the country and is an experienced instrumentalist and composer. Alongside Chris, he has developed the Songbug website as a resource tool for teachers to stream and download original songs to be used both in the classroom and in extra-curricular performances.

CJ Hazel is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and teacher. Since graduating in 2001 he has worked as a solo performer, MD, composer, arranger and accompanist in a variety of theatre, jazz and classical groups, including Giffords Circus, Tayo Aluko and Friends, Spotlight Theatre (Hunts) and The Barefoot Doctors.

Claire Cordeaux is BAPAM CEO, a UK charity for performing arts health. She worked in healthcare management and is a musician.

Dr Sarah Upjohn is a physiotherapist with a PhD on injury risk in young musicians. A bass player, she works at Purcell and runs BAPAM specialist performer clinics.

David Allen is Artistic Director of Midland Actors Theatre. He undertakes regular schools projects with a particular focus on drama and history. He has published numerous articles and books including "Performing Chekhov" and "Stanislavksi for Beginners." He runs the website www.mantlenetwork.com and the Facebook group, "The Commission Model of Teaching."

Emily Penn has led youth music organisation NYMAZ's flagship online music education initiative Connect: Resound since 2014. She brings over 20 years experience of working on innovation and inclusion focussed arts and culture programmes, including previous roles at Arts Council England, arts organisations and local authorities, and as a freelance cultural consultant, trainer and producer

Geoff Smith is Head of Drama at Malbank School and National Trainer for the NASUWT. He's the Federation Secretary for Cheshire East and Chairs the North West NASUWT Health and Safety Committee.

Helen is an internationally renowned consultant, trainer, author and speaker in physical activity/movement in Early and Primary Education. Her training style is energetic, passionate, and highly motivational. She has been working as a dance and movement specialist for over 19 years and continues to work directly with children. Helen is respected globally for her valued contribution to raising the profile of early years physical activity.

Kim Jackson delivers Applied Theatre events in a range of professional contexts including educational and corporate settings focusing on communication and behavioural change. His methodology has been developed to respond to the diverse demands and needs of the schools, companies and organisations he has worked with.

DISNEY THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS, a division of The Walt Disney Studios, was formed in 1994 and operates under the direction of Thomas Schumacher.  Worldwide, its ten Broadway titles have been seen by over 200 million theatregoers, and have been nominated for 62 Tony Awards, winning Broadway’s highest honour 20 times. At the time of the pandemic shutdown in March 2020, with 20 productions self-produced or licensed, a Disney musical was being performed professionally somewhere on the planet virtually every hour of the day.

Dr Pippa Wheble is a GP, with a Masters in Performing Arts Medicine. She is also a musician and conscious breathing expert. She runs a specialist clinic for performing artists and weekly drop-in sessions supporting performers to achieve health and well-being. She is a trainer for BAPAM specialising in injury prevention, performance anxiety, mental health and resilience.

Rachel Fenn is currently taking a break from teaching to study for an MA in Playwriting. Before this, she was Head of English in an international school in London, and taught English and Drama for 9 years. She has a keen interest in innovative pedagogy and has published two books for English teachers with Routledge; Teaching Grammar Through Literature (2018) and Teaching Nineteenth Century Literature (2019).

Emma Tompkins is a theatre designer and educator. Her workshop practice covers set, costume and puppetry for ages 12-18+. She works with schools and further education, and is a set and costume design facilitator for secondary schools with the National Theatre. As a designer she has designed over 40 productions including work at the Hampstead Theatre and Lyric Hammersmith.

James has been teaching music for 18 years and runs a successful Music Department. He is also an active member of the music teacher community and sits on the Music Teachers Association Committee. James writes a music education blog and speaks regularly at conferences and events.

Martin's studies began in 1970 with Eric Gilder, followed by undergraduate study at Trinity College of Music with Anthony Lindsay, Simon Young & Christine Croshaw. In addition to his extensive work as composer, pianist and musical director, Martin is the head of singing at Mountview, London.

As well as being a renowned jazz musician, broadcaster and composer, Richard Michael is a teacher with over 30 years teaching experience. He is in constant demand as a guest speaker and radio broadcaster, combining his extensive experience with an approachable style, leading to an easy rapport with audiences when explaining how jazz works.

Trudi Rees is Director of The School, London – a conservatoire drama school in Islington. Trained originally in classical ballet, she enjoyed a successful dance career before retraining as an actress. Her extensive work includes West End, regional theatre, television and as a director of The Poor School for 20 years.

Ula Weber is head of events for Sing for Pleasure (SfP), a national choral organisation which encourages the enjoyment of better singing in class and choir. She is a regular tutor at SfP conductor training weekends and leads workshops in schools and community settings around the country and abroad.

A singer and violinist, Michelle originally trained as a musician and has a degree in music and English literature. She has a 30-year professional background within music and education organisations including Trinity Laban, a stint as Orchestral Librarian of the National Symphony Orchestra in Johannesburg and soprano in the SABC Singers, followed by senior management roles at ABRSM, The National Foundation for Youth Music - and most recently as CEO of Sing Up. In 2018, Michelle wrote The Singing School Handbook which is published jointly by Faber Music and Sing Up and won ‘Outstanding Music Education Resource’ at the Music & Drama Education Awards 2020.

Michelle has a deep commitment to every child having the opportunity to experience high quality music as a regular part of school life because of the many educational, developmental, societal and health benefits it brings and has a particular interest in music and the development of the brain.

Michelle is on the Board of the Sing Up Foundation and also of the UK’s Music Education Council.

Margaret Rawlings, GTCL LTCL PGCE, has taught music in London for 35 years as both a primary and secondary school class music teacher, and as a peripatetic instrumental teacher. She plays and teaches a variety of instruments, including brass, piano and recorder and currently works for Lewisham Music.

Phil is director of creative learning and engagement at Bristol Beacon. He is a trained sound engineer and music teacher. After spending 7 years as a peripatetic teacher at Berkshire Young Musicians Trust and Highgate School, Phil went on to co-found the International Guitar Foundation. After taking an MSc in Cultural Management, Phil became CEO of Newham Music Trust, winning several awards for music education. Phil chaired the Bath Cultural Forum and spent 6 years as trustee at Bath Festivals. In July 2021 Phil became chair of the Music Education Council.

Andy Godfrey has been a teacher, workshop leader and theatre maker for the last 20 years. Working in a huge range of schools and educational settings. As a theatre maker he has been nominated for a total theatre award and his work has toured nationally and internationally.

Chris Walters is National Organiser for Education and Health & Wellbeing at the Musicians' Union. He is also a professional clarinettist and teacher, and a former editor of Music Teacher magazine. He was Head of Music Qualifications at Trinity College London, where he developed the Certificate for Music Educators, prior to his role at the MU.

Karen has taught a range of creative subjects in secondary education for 14 years. She is a co-founder of, and East Region Champion at Open Drama UK, a national Drama education network. She is an experienced assessor and drama education consultant.

Liam Harris is the current Chair of the National Association for the Teaching of Drama, a post he has held since 2014. Alongside this role, Liam is the current Head of Drama at Hurstpierpoint College in Sussex where he also works with trainee teachers. Previously, Liam was the Artistic Director of Bridges Arts Group where he specialised in creating theatre to give a voice to refugees and asylum seekers. Liam previously taught English and Drama in inner city London.

Marc is an actor who trained with Fourth Monkey Theatre Company and then with the National Youth Theatre Rep Company. While training he performed in a rendition of Frantic Assembly's OTHELLO produced by the National Youth Theatre.

Previous work also include; Boys (The PappyShow), Macbeth (Orange Tree Theatre), Twelfth Night, HenryV & Borrowers (Storyhouse, Chester), The Fall (Criterion Theatre), Jekyll&Hyde, Mrs Dalloway (Ambassadors).

Marie is Lead Subject Advisor at OCR, leading a team of subject advisors and with a specific responsibility for all Performing Arts qualifications.

Marie joined OCR in July 2014 as after teaching Music for 10 years. With experience as Head of Department at secondary schools and FE colleges. Marie has a wealth of experience teaching Music and Performing Arts at GCSE, A Level, and Level 2-4 Vocational qualifications. As OCR’s Performing Arts specialist Marie lead in the development for the new Music GCSEs and A Levels, and now oversees the management and support of Music and Drama GCSE and A Level, and the Cambridge Technical Vocational Performing Arts qualifications. Alongside this Marie is an organist and pianist with a love for rock music.

Sarah Vaughan is Head of History at Malbank School and Divisional Secretary for the NEU in Cheshire East. Sarah is a champion of equality and has worked extensively in developing training programmes across the North West and at a national level.

Sophie trained in Dance and Drama and completed a PGCE at Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. She taught full time for eight years in secondary education. She has set up a Community Interest Company - running creative projects as well as working professionally as a movement director and began working for Frantic Assembly in 2017 where she is Associate Director for Learn and Train. For Frantic Sophie has worked as the movement Director on the Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time as well as leading international residencies.

Sue Clarke is Trinity Drama Associate, working to support teachers, schools and performing arts organisations to deliver Trinity’s range of performing arts qualifications. An ex-Head of Drama at a large state school, she is passionate about empowering all young people to reach their full potential, and sees drama as a core part of any young person’s education.

Currently head of music at Woodlands School in Essex, Thomas has been a teacher of music since 2010 and has led the music department since 2016. His team has integrated the Trinity Rock & Pop syllabus into the school's KS4 curriculum within the last two years to help students with their composition skills.

Head of Performing Arts and member of the Heathland school leadership team in Hounslow, London. A Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert, Master Trainer, PhD researcher & freelance director. All these experiences have taken Chris across the country to support teachers and their schools in developing opportunities for young people through the arts.

David Barnard is an Education Official for the Musician's Union and a freelance consultant specialising in music education. His clients have included Roland Europe, I Like Music, Music for All and a number of music education hubs and co-operatives.

He holds a first-class honours degree in music, a Post Graduate Certificate in Education, a Performance Diploma from the Royal College of Music, and Diplomas in Management and Employment Law. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and member of the Chartered Institute of Management. David’s professional career has included a number of senior positions, including: Director of Education for Roland UK; Course Leader for the ABRSM’s professional development programme; Director of Swindon Music Service; Head of Music Centres for Kingston Music Service and Enfield Arts.

He has also worked as a professional trombonist, conductor, lecturer (Middlesex University), publisher and examiner (Guildhall School of Music), and was founder of the Swindon Music Co-operative. David is co-founder and Chairman of Resonance – a new higher education provider specialising in music and education, and is a trustee of the Ernest Read Music Trust.

Charly became CEO of Lewisham Music in August 2019 after leading Essex Hub for 5 years.  Previously Charly was a touring musician, primary music specialist, community workshop leader, and Training Manger for Charanga. Charly is especially passionate about SEND, inclusion, and blurring the lines between different forms of music education.

Keith is the Community Music Manager for Lewisham Music and the former Leader of Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) ‘ArtsTrain’. Keith has developed a portfolio of multi award-winning youth and community music programmes, with a particular focus on creative music programmes, fundraising and evaluation.

Dr Kerry Boyle is a singing teacher, choral director and lecturer. She has worked in schools, colleges, universities and a local authority music service as well as various community music settings. She is co-author of The Essential Handbook for Musicians Who Teach: A Practical Guide for Instrumental and Singing Teachers (Faber Music, to be published this year).

Catherine Hatcher is Voices Foundation’s Learning and Impact Manager. She leads evaluation and research for the charity, distilling learning into key insights that inform future programme activity.

Deborah Guest is the Programme Manager at Voices Foundation. She is responsible for the management of all national programmes, and leads on workforce development for the practitioner workforce.

Graham Dowdall is an experienced community musician, lecturer and trainer. He leads community music teaching at Goldsmiths and works for many Music Hubs and organisations across the country. He is a specialist in using music with people who face challenges in special schools, PRUs and many other contexts.

Leonora Davies MBE has been involved in music education since 1965. She worked as a classroom teacher in both primary and secondary schools before being appointed as Inspector for Music and Music Services in Haringey. She now works as a freelance music education consultant. Leonora was chair of NAME and MEC and has numerous music education publications to her name. She is a mentor for Music for Youth and took part in the BBC series ‘The Choir’ with Gareth Malone.

Dr Jodie Underhill is a research associate at the Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM). She holds a PhD in psychology from Keele University where her research focused on musical culture and participation within different school settings. Jodie is a qualified music teacher with over 18 years’ experience in state and independent schools.

President of the Music Teachers’ Association (MTA), Don Gillthorpe is assistant principal and director of music at Ripley St Thomas CE Academy in Lancaster, head of publications for the choral charity Sing for Pleasure, and director of music at Lancaster Priory. Don's specialisms are in choral music, with a particular focus on establishing a singing culture in a secondary school, and boys’ changing voices.

As chief examiner of ABRSM, John has strategic leadership of 700+ examiners, who deliver over 600,000 music exams in over 80 countries each year, and a department of 18 staff who manage the examining standards, quality and approach of ABRSM assessment. A teacher himself of over 30 years’ experience, John is committed to supporting progress in music teaching and learning worldwide.

Mark Phillips is Ofsted’s national lead for music. He is also senior HMI in London, where his role includes leading on inspector training. Before joining Ofsted, Mark taught music for over 20 years (including as an Advanced Skills Teacher), led a large local authority arts advisory team and worked in county music services.

Tashi Gore works predominantly in socially engaged contexts as a facilitator/director, producer and consultant. She is Associate Director at Dundee Rep and Scottish Dance Theatre and  Co-Artistic Director of Glass Performance where she leads projects on small and large scales, working with people to explore questions about the world.  With Glass she co-founded Junction 25 at Tramway in Glasgow and Polmont Youth Theatre at HMYOI Polmont. She is a visiting lecturer at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and a partnering artist with American company Dance Exchange, Tashi Gore is a trainer and facilitator for the Liz Lerman Critical Response Process and part of the Federation of Scottish Theatre CRP facilitators network. Tashi is based in Scotland but works across the UK and Internationally. 

She co-authored A Beginner’s Guide to Devising Theatre published by Bloomsbury in 2019.

Touchstone is a charity that specialises in delivering drama projects all over the UK to learners with Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC).

Our body of work includes projects and partnerships with The National Theatre, The Royal Shakespeare Company, English Touring Theatre and many SEND schools around the UK. Recent projects include collaboration’s with the National Theatre on their ‘Let’s Play’ programme, and a large scale project based on the NT’s production of “The Curious Incident of the dog in the Night-time” working with groups of autistic learners.

Touchstone is a charity that specialises in delivering drama projects all over the UK to learners with Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC).

Our body of work includes projects and partnerships with The National Theatre, The Royal Shakespeare Company, English Touring Theatre and many SEND schools around the UK. Recent projects include collaboration’s with the National Theatre on their ‘Let’s Play’ programme, and a large scale project based on the NT’s production of “The Curious Incident of the dog in the Night-time” working with groups of autistic learners.

The Music Teachers' Association (MTA) is the largest and longest established association of music teachers in the UK, supporting all who are connected with a school music department. Its year-round CPD programme of webinars, podcasts, e-bulletins and Ensemble magazine, supported by our Facebook Staffroom and Annual Conference, enables music teachers to connect with each other, share ideas, develop good practice and work together in partnership.

Tim Hallas is the teacher in charge of Music Technology at Hills Road Sixth Form College, and is also the teaching and learning lead for Digital Learning. He also works as a freelance writer and speaker. He writes for several publications on music, technology and education, including work as a technology editor for Music Teacher magazine.

Louisa Smurthwaite the Head of Lighting Training at Mountview Academy of Arts and is a lighting and production designer. She has worked worldwide with artists such as Sam Smith, Grace Jones, Keane, Florence and the Machine, Pulp and Rag’n’Bone Man, as well as for theatre & dance companies.

She was shortlisted for a Knight of Illumination award in 2017 and was commissioned for the Brent 2020 London Borough of Culture to create a semi-permanent light sculpture in front of Wembley Arena.

Mark Robinson is the founder of Rocksteady Music School. Music changed his life when he discovered the electric guitar and playing in bands as a child. He has spent his career so far providing the same opportunity to tens of thousands of 4-11 year olds in the UK, through Rocksteady’s progressive and inclusive approach to music education. He’s passionate about teaching and believes every child should have access to the magic of music and that our goal in education should be to build the whole person, which includes children’s confidence, wellbeing and independence.

Chris Calcutt has been the European Product specialist for Focusrite and its sister brand Novation for nearly 10 years. Prior to this he had a 16 year background in supplying Music technology solutions to schools across the UK.

The Paper Birds are experienced, award-winning, prolific theatre makers; leaders in the fields of verbatim and devised theatre. For the past 18 years we have been listening to, working with and drawing from the communities around us to create original performances with breath-taking theatricality. Our vision is to provoke change, one encounter at a time. Our mission is to be quiet rebels, amplifying the voices of everyday people. We inspire change through the theatre and participatory opportunities we create. Our Creative Learning department sees us engaging over 20,000 children and young people per year as audiences and participants of our programme. We offer a range of workshops and teaching resources to schools including videos, schemes of work, performances and our celebrated Theatre Creativity Cards, a tool for developing skills and confidence in improvisation.

The Paper Birds are experienced, award-winning, prolific theatre makers; leaders in the fields of verbatim and devised theatre. For the past 18 years we have been listening to, working with and drawing from the communities around us to create original performances with breath-taking theatricality. Our vision is to provoke change, one encounter at a time. Our mission is to be quiet rebels, amplifying the voices of everyday people. We inspire change through the theatre and participatory opportunities we create. Our Creative Learning department sees us engaging over 20,000 children and young people per year as audiences and participants of our programme. We offer a range of workshops and teaching resources to schools including videos, schemes of work, performances and our celebrated Theatre Creativity Cards, a tool for developing skills and confidence in improvisation.

Ruth Elder is a world-class violinist, arranger and educator. After studying at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, she has gone on to enjoy a performing career which has seen her appear with major orchestras, ensembles and artists including Muse, Madness, Sophie Ellis Bextor and ABC. Whether she's on stage at the O2 Arena, Royal Albert Hall, working in productions at the National Theatre, writing, arranging and recording in London's top studios, producing remote recording sessions from home, or teaching, Ruth's musical journey has spanned an eclectic range of styles and situations - a breadth of experience which she brings to the RSL Classical Violin syllabus.

Patrick has been working at RSL (formerly Rockschool) for over a decade. In that time, he has acted as Programme Manager for Vocational Qualifications, Head of VQ and Responsible Officer. In his position as Head of Business Development, Patrick is responsible for promoting the whole RSL Vocational portfolio in the UK and overseas. Alongside his work at RSL, he has acted as an event promoter and blogs about new and emerging music.

Rachel is passionate about composing in the classroom. She is the founder and director of I can compose (www.icancompose.com), an innovative company dedicated to inspiring the next generation of great composers. Based in Manchester, Rachel has taught in both state and independent secondary schools. She won the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation Business Award in 2018 and Outstanding Music Education Product Award in the 2019 Music Teacher Awards for Excellence. Rachel is author of How to teach Composition in the secondary classroom: 50 inspiring ideas (Collins Music) and is on the board of trustees for the charity, Drake Music.

Multi award-winning musician YolanDa Brown has become one of the pre-eminent champions of music education in the UK. Chair of the UK’s biggest music education, “Youth Music”, YolanDa has also been celebrity ambassador for the Prince’s Trust, Children and the Arts, Plan UK and World Child Cancer, as well as the London Music Fund, Greater London Assembly and ABRSM’s "Learn Music London” Campaign.

A regular broadcaster on BBC Radio, YolanDa’s eponymous TV series, "YolanDa's Band Jam" for CBeebies, is now in its third series, recently winning the Royal Television Society Awards as “Best Children’s Programme.” The UK’s premier female saxophonist, YolanDa was the first musician to win a MOBO award for “Best Jazz” in two consecutive years and has released multiple albums, including her most recent 2021 “Band Jam Album.”

The Canadian guitarist, composer, and arranger Tim Pells studied at the University of British Columbia, and the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity (Jazz Performance). He completed his studies at the Royal Academy of Music, London (Classical Guitar-Performance and Advanced programmes). With a strong profile in education, Tim’s publications include ‘Sight Reading for Guitar’ (New Punchbowl Music, 1988), ‘Learn to a Play Guitar’ (Usborne, 1988), and ‘First Lessons and Repertoire for Beginners’ (University of Reading, 2000).
He has performed, broadcast, and recorded worldwide with the English Guitar Quartet since 1984.
Tim is Head of Guitar at the London Centre for Young Musicians, and Lecturer in Music at Colchester Institute, and is an elected Associate of the Royal Academy of Music.

Matt Yeoman is an experienced Teacher of GCSE and A-Level Drama. He has led many courses for teachers and students from both the UK and internationally, working to develop practice and improve outcomes for students. Having achieved outstanding results at both GCSE and A Level, Matt has worked as the CPD advisor for the National Music and Drama Expo for the past few years. As Assistant Headteacher in his school responsible for CPD, Teaching and Learning, he has supported the development of practice with a wide range engaging programmes. As a Fellow of the Chartered College of teachers he has worked closely to develop the Chartered Teacher programme and the national CPD Quality Assurance Award. He currently also works as a Specialist Leader of Education (SLE) for Drama education and ITT/NQT Induction.

Jayne is a multi-faceted practitioner, passionate about dramatic art, having trained as an adult actor at several North-west training centres, latterly with Jim Cartwright and Karen Henthorn, achieving performance and teaching qualifications with London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) and Trinity College London, in addition to a BA (Hons) in Theatre and Performance. She is currently studying for a Master of Arts in Applied and Community Arts at the University of Bolton. 

As a performer, Jayne holds membership with Equity and Spotlight and prior to the current pandemic, performed several musical theatre songs in shows at Oldham Coliseum. She is a member of the British Voice Association and the Society of Teachers of Speech & Drama (STSD) of which she is an active Council member. As a peripatetic Speech and Drama teacher, Jayne teaches a wide range of children in several schools as well as teaching numerous private pupils, both adults and children, helping them develop their acting and communication skills.  In 2017, she achieved a career goal, joining the examiner panel at LAMDA, a role that she enjoys immensely. Jayne also adjudicates at several local Speech and Drama Festivals and sits on the committee of the annual Blackburn Festival. Furthermore, she co-manages a boutique talent agency for children and adults.

Jayne is married to Alan and has two grown-up children, Jack and Lydia. She also has a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Charlie, and several free-range chickens.

With a background as a guitarist and guitar teacher, Merv has been working in the music and music education sector for more than 30 years. As well as teaching extensively, both privately and in schools, he was heavily involved with the Registry of Guitar Tutors for 10 years in both a business development capacity and as their chief examiner. Merv was employed as business development manager for LCM Examinations in 2016, a role he fulfilled until appointed head of LCM Examinations in 2018.

Philip Raymond studied at the Royal College of Music. He has been a tenor soloist in recital, oratorio and opera in the UK and abroad. He was Head of Music at the Webber Douglas Academy and currently teaches singing on the BA, MA Theatre Lab and Foundation courses at RADA. Philip is also a church organist and a keen competitive cyclist.

Isabel trained at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, graduating with a first class BA (Hons) degree in Musical Theatre. Before the pandemic, she made her professional debut in the Theatre Marigny production of Funny Girl, playing Emma and covering the role of Fanny Brice.

Disney Teaching Artists, are professional actors, singers, dancers, artists, and share the world of musical theatre with students of all ages.

David Mastrocola is the Head of Visual and Performing at The Bourne Academy in Bournemouth; where he has been teaching for 10 years. David has a wealth of experience teaching vocational music and performing arts to students aged 11 to 18. As well as teaching music David is a session musician for a number of record labels and performs with the critically acclaimed Ian Prowse.

Hal Leonard Europe companies are part of the Hal Leonard group of companies - the world’s largest source of music publications, representing many of the world’s best-known and most respected publishers, artists, songwriters, arrangers and instrument manufacturers.

Hal Leonard Europe companies publish and distribute an extensive catalogue of printed and digital publications, sheet music, music education resources, instruments, gifts, accessories and pro audio in Europe and around the world.