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Values

Our values guide the way we work. They act as a reminder of what matters to us as an organisation.

We revisited them in 2020, in consultation with young musicians, our staff team and trustees.

They are:

Influence - We work alongside young disabled musicians to challenge preconceptions and influence change

Diversity - We bring about greater diversity by driving musical inclusion and disabled representation

Creativity - We engage audiences through exciting music, made and shared in creative ways

Community - We support communities of individuals and organisations to make positive change happen

Team

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Alison Maxhuni (she/her)
Trusts and Foundations Manager

Alison has a background in arts and heritage charities and not-for-profits, most recently as a fundraiser. 

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Barry Farrimond-Chuong MBE (he/him)

CEO

Barry has a wealth of experience developing, strengthening and leading social enterprise and third-sector arts organisations and is respected as an authority on accessible music technology.

Ben Waller, National Open Youth Orchestra Pastoral Support Officer

Ben Waller (he/him)
National Open Youth Orchestra Pastoral Support Officer

Ben has extensive experience working with the disabled community including project managing arts events, working in education, leading advocacy groups and delivering accessible music projects. He helps ensure that musicians’ needs are being met both socially and emotionally.

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Chrissie Huntley (she/her)
Marketing and Communications Assistant

Chrissie is a working musician and vocal coach, with experience in music journalism and social media management. She's also a passionate mental health awareness advocate, directing fundraising campaigns and live events for this cause. She performed at the UK House of Commons as part of this.

Doug Bott, Musical Director

Doug Bott (he/him)
Artistic Director

Doug is an accomplished arts and education leader, driven by a passion for greater opportunity, diversity, inclusion and representation in music.

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Emily Nunns (she/her)
Fundraising Officer

Emily is a disabled musician and has a range of experience working in the education and arts sector. She has also taught in special needs schools. Her work across the education and arts sectors have now led her to development, raising vital funds for the organisation.

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Helen Stevens, Operations Manager Open Up Music

Evie Sherry-Starmer (they/them)

Executive Assistant

Evie worked in higher education before joining the third sector. They have a wide range of experience including supporting boards, executive teams and disabled artists. Evie has a personal interest in inclusive community arts projects - particularly contemporary dance. They are also a DIY punk musician!

Helen Stevens (she/her)

Head of Operations

Helen's background is in the not-for-profit and public sector, working across fundraising, event management, volunteer management and operations for some of the UK’s leading education and health charities.

Julia Le, Marketing and Communications Manager Open Up Music

Julia Le (she/her)
Head of Marketing and Communications 

Julia has worked on building brands and developing markets in France, the UK and New Zealand - both as a consultant and in-house. Her experience covers a variety of sectors from consumer goods to finance through to social enterprise and the arts. 

Jonathan Westrup, Education Manager Open Up Music

Jonathan Westrup (he/him)
Programme Manager

Jonathan's experience working with young disabled people is in music education. He has played a key role in developing accessible accreditation opportunities in music and worked extensively as a trainer and mentor for musicians and teachers in school settings.

Kate Duffy, Administrative Assistant Open Up Music

Kate Duffy (she/her)
Programme Officer

Kate has worked supporting many teams within the arts sector. Her experience has been across a variety of organisations, from music management through to arts education institutions in both London and Bristol.

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Rawle Beckles (he/him)
Fundraising Manager

With over 20 years' fundraising experience in voluntary sector fundraising, Rawle has worked in both executive and non-executive roles in both public and private sector organisations.

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