Staff

Tracy has a varied career background from both the corporate and voluntary sector. Since moving to the South West of England 20 years ago, she has developed strong networks and knowledge of the creative sector within a wider business context.

With a passion for music of all genres, she played both the flute and guitar. Tracy has two musical daughters, one labrador and two cats! In her spare time, she loves walking, the countryside and relaxing with her family.

Kate’s career in arts administration started in the British Council music department before programming Bush Hall and South Bank Centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall, and heading north to produce contemporary music festivals for Leeds International Concert Season. Now firmly back in the South West, Kate works as a project manager and adminstrator with a range of arts and community organisations including La Folia Music in Salisbury.

From 1997 to 2012 Mark was Executive Director, Trinity College London, directing its academic and commercial operations in 60 countries. Mark headed up the DfE’s Dance & Drama Awards Scheme and, with Arts Council England, the Arts Award and Artsmark.

Mark studied keyboard and conducting at the RNCM, graduating with honours. Appointed Assistant Organist at the Royal Parish Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields in 1985, he combined this with study at the University of London Institute of Education. In 1989 Mark was promoted to Master of the Music and Artistic Director of Concerts at St. Martin’s. He has performed in/directed live and recorded broadcasts transmitted worldwide for BBC TV/radio and international networks. As a performer, lecturer, adjudicator and examiner, he has worked in the US, throughout Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Australasia and Europe.

Previously, Mark was President, The Friends of The Connection at St. Martin-in-the-Fields, London’s, largest charity working with the homeless.

David spends the majority of his professional life working with charities and other not for profit organisations. He has been a trustee of South West Music School since 2017.

In his spare time, David plays sport, runs and taxis his children to various activities. He is passionate about music but has no musical ability whatsoever!

This all within a safe environment and a peer group who are as excited about their music making as you are. He has first hand experience in how SWMS can do this, and is keen to see it flourish at a time when support for an inspiring musical experience at school can be hard to find, particularly away from urban centres.

She is Chair of the Orff Society UK and a Trustee of DAISI. She has served as the President of the European Association for Music in Schools and was an elected board member of ISME (The International Society for Music Education). She is a researcher and evaluator with an expertise in music teacher education and creative approaches in primary teaching.

Sarah is the founding editor of the international journal Music Education Research and established the International Conference for Research in Music Education at Exeter (now held at Bath Spa University)

To follow.

“I began with a conventional musical training in western music and music teaching, studying piano and trumpet and qualified as a teacher in 1974. When I finished my B.Mus in 1976 I was appointed Head of Music in two schools in Essex, whilst studying for an M.Mus in Music Analysis, which I completed in 1980.

“In 1983 I was appointed lecturer in Music/Music Education at Bretton Hall college, teaching undergraduate students and training postgraduate students as teachers. During the 1980s I became more interested in the music of West Africa and organised a staff exchange with the University of Ghana in 1988-9. In 1991, I was appointed Director of Music at Dartington College of Arts and continued in that role until the college relocated in 2010. During those years, I benefitted from the incredible range of teachers and artists who visited Dartington and also developed an international profile as a research, performer, and teacher. I have returned to Ghana on many occasions to conduct further research and work with Ghanaian musicians (and add to my collection of shirts).TW_in_shirt.jpg I completed my Ph.D in 1999, researching issues for Music and Music Education in Ghana.

“I am now an independent scholar who mixes ongoing research and publication with teaching and specialist mentoring.”