Advisory Board

Teacher of Music and Music Technology

Rob works in schools in Leicestershire delivering a range of GCSE, A Level, and BTEC courses in both Music and Music Technology. Now based at the Loughborough Schools Foundation’s Music School, Rob is busy delivering A Level Music Technology and contributing music technology expertise to the GCSE Music program. Published articles include ‘Recording for Dummies’ (National Association of Music Educators journal) and ‘Performing via Music Technology for GCSE Music’ (Music Teacher magazine).

Acting Coach

Ruth holds a Diploma in Acting and a BA in Theatre. She has performed on the London Fringe and in films and ran The Grove Fringe Theatre in Hammersmith, developing her directing, designing, and technical skills. She has also worked in rep, the drama unit of the BBC, created a youth drama group (now in its 20th year), been a SENCO, taught in a PRU and as a 1:1 coach for SEN pupils, and been a school Head of Drama.

 

Director of Music, Hurlingham Prep School, Director, MusicMaps

Ash Charles has over 20 years of experience working in music education across primary schools (private and state), specialist music schools, and mainstream schools. He is passionate about developing a modern curriculum for the primary sector that accounts for rapid developments in technology, genres, and the professional music industry.

Drama Educator and Practitioner

Bindya is a passionate drama educator and practitioner with a wealth of experience across schools in the UK and internationally. Having previously spoken at the Music & Drama Education Expo, she prides herself on delivering high-quality Drama CPD through the We Teach Drama and Mary Myatt platforms. As a Fellow of the Charter College of Teaching, she champions all aspects of CPD. With a proven track record as a Middle Leader achieving outstanding results, she is a dedicated advocate for the arts and DEIB.

Early Years and Primary Drama Practitioner

Lou Collins, a freelance drama teacher, has over 20 years of experience in drama education. Passionate about children accessing drama, Lou develops and delivers interactive drama and storytelling sessions for early years settings and creates bespoke workshops for primary schools. Her work enhances exploration of the wider curriculum fostering children’s confidence and self-esteem. Outside of the school day, Lou runs a successful drama company, TheatriKids, providing an extracurricular drama experience to 150 pupils a week.

Acting Head, Sutton Music Trust

Claire is a passionate and dedicated music education leader with over 15 years of experience. She held a busy freelance career as a performing and teaching musician, both in the UK and Germany. Her specialisms are in Early Years, WCET delivery, classroom management, SEND provision, and inclusive practice. In March 2024 she was appointed as the Acting Head of Sutton Music Trust, having previously worked for the service as a tutor and Senior Instrumental Curriculum Leader.

Founder, Drama Matters

Tracy has been the Head of Drama and Performing Arts at Bishop Stopford’s School in north London for nearly 10 years, and she has had the pleasure to pass on her passion for the subject to all students she has taught. She is excited to be moving to Herts and Essex High School in Bishops Stortford as Subject Lead for Drama and Performing Arts. Tracy is the creator of Drama Matters, a community to connect solo drama teachers.

Music Lead, Nelson Primary School, Trombonist

Nathaniel leads music at Nelson Primary School, which won Outstanding School Music Department at the 2023 Music & Drama Education Awards (the school runs five choirs, a 50-piece orchestra, two rock bands, and a Carnatic music program). He is also an active trombonist, leading the Newham Music Jazz Collective. Nathaniel is in demand as a speaker on music education and his charity fundraising efforts, which you can read more about at bowelcancerbucketlist.com.

Director of Drama, The King’s School, Canterbury

Rebekah is Director of Drama at The King’s School Canterbury, where she has worked since completing her PGCE (Secondary) Drama in September 2018, having previously worked in youth theatres. Her passion is for inclusive drama practice that simultaneously sets high standards, particularly in musical theatre. She is keen to highlight the value of drama in the classroom as well as outside, equally valuing the work towards examined qualifications as the whole-school show.

Hub Lead, Wiltshire Music Connect

Nick’s been around a bit – from leading Wiltshire Music Connect, Sound Connections and programmes at Youth Music to sitting on the Manifesto Partnership & Advocacy Group and chairing the Wiltshire & Swindon Cultural Education Partnership and DiME (Digital Innovation in Music Education). In 2022 he commissioned Over the Digital Horizon, a series of groundbreaking sessions connecting music educators with ‘ideas and innovations from around the world’. He has also worked on integrating arts and culture within economic regeneration.

Outreach and Widening Participation Lead, Drama Studio London

Lynn delivers contextual studies and outreach activity for UK HE conservatoires following many years with Stagecoach Theatre Arts as Education Associate. Currently the Outreach and Widening Participation Lead for Drama Studio London, she delivers workshops and Q&As for education and arts organizations, and she is an acting tutor for BIGLITTLE’s Professional Development Programme, Foundation Plus, in Dorset. Lynn trained in acting at LAMDA before studying an MA in Applied and Participatory Arts at Royal Holloway, University of London.

'Teaching Notes' Podcast Presenter, Music Teacher, Freelance Musician and Radio Producer

Patrick Johns teaches music (KS3–5) at the Tiffin Girls’ School. He is also a subject expert for Ofqual, a former A Level examiner for Eduqas, and former Classical and Jazz Expert for Trinity College London. Patrick presents the popular music education podcast ‘Teaching Notes’, having conducted over 300 interviews to date. He is also a freelance arranger and trombonist, notably with the quintet Oompah Brass. Patrick produces the BBC Radio 2 show Top Brass, having formerly produced for BBC Radio 3, and is an experienced deliverer of CPD at conferences and online.

Musician and
Music Education Consultant

Gennie is a performer and music education consultant based in London. She has worked in a range of fields across orchestras and chamber ensembles, music theatre, and community music as both a performer and leader around the UK. Gennie is an experienced music educator and consultant, working with participants of all ages in a diverse range of settings. She is also the co-founder, writer, composer, and actor-musician of Merryweather Theatre, a London-based arts collective.

Prep School Music Consultant, ‘Sonata’ Music Consultancy

Jeremy, a retired classroom teacher with 34 years of experience as a Director of Music in prep schools, served as a music subject leader for IAPS from 2000 to 2014 providing support and INSET to Heads of Department and class music teachers all over the UK. Now, he leads ‘Sonata’ Music Consultancy, which offers support to Headteachers, Bursars, HoDs, and class music teachers in the independent preparatory school sector. He has two young sons and is a keen fly fisherman.

Senior Lecturer in Language Learning/Teaching, University of Lorraine, Nancy, France

Virginie Privas-Bréauté has examined the educational potential of drama in language classrooms since her first years as an English teacher in France. More recently, she has trained language teachers to use drama and artistic practices in their classes to facilitate language learning and other transdisciplinary skills. Her research falls within neuroscientific theories involving embodied cognition and emotions. She is a member of IDEA (International Drama in Education Association) and the Vice President in charge of scientific research for ARDAA (Association pour la Recherche en Didactique et Acquisition de l’Anglais).

Vice Chair, National Drama

Zeena enjoys teaching in Barnsley and previously enjoyed learning and leadership in different phases. She is Vice Chair of National Drama, Chair of Lung Theatre, and is completing a Counselling Diploma. She studied at Bretton Hall, Central School, and Homerton, and achieved AST and Leadership certification. CPD and conference highlights include BSME 2017, the Music & Drama Education Expo in London, The National Theatre’s Drama Teacher Conference, and ND’s 2024 Advocacy Conference. Her special interests include representation, diversity, inclusion, and campaigning for curriculum equity.

Curriculum Leader of Level 4 Professional Diploma in Performance, UAL

With 24 years of teaching experience, Wyn is a Drama and Acting lecturer at Gower College, Swansea. An AS and A Level Drama lecturer, he is also Curriculum Leader for UAL’s Level 4 Professional Diploma in Performance, as well as one of UAL’s Performing and Production Arts subject experts. He is an Associate Artist of the National Youth Theatre, and a three-time nominee for ‘The Guardian Award for Teacher of the Year in a Secondary School’.

Music Teacher, Examiner, Composer, Performer, and Author

Simon Rushby is a teacher, composer, performer, and author who taught music for 27 years in schools across Surrey, holding Director of Music and Assistant Head posts in two of them. His books include ABRSM’s Discovering Music Theory and GCSE books for Rhinegold Education, and he regularly writes online resources for Music Teacher. He composes music for major television channels and is a grades, diplomas, and jazz examiner for ABRSM.

Performing Arts Educator, Creative, and Examiner

Kate has over 15 years of experience teaching performing arts in vocational and academic settings. She holds a wealth of experience in this sector, from course leading A Level Drama to running her own theatre school in south Wales. Kate is passionate about developing and sharing her knowledge and expertise in this field, alongside being an advocate for creative and inclusive practice.

Managing Director, The Spit Game UK & Rap Club Productions

Award-winning educator and youth leader Benjamin Turner has led music departments across London, embedding industry-standard practice and learning. Now Founder/Managing Director of Rap Club & The Spit Game UK – leading innovative programs for learners and supporting teachers to engage progressive practices – Turner manages young creatives entering the industry, launching careers. With his young team of exceptional industry-engaged creatives across music and film, Turner is a champion for youth voice and youth-led social action through creativity.