PLEXAL - Key Persons

Adam Whittaker

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Head of Pedagogy & Lecturer in Music

Angela Suh

an..@creativeunited.org.uk

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Strategic Relationship Manager

Chris Fower

ch..@warwickmusic.com

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Director of Creativity and Innovation / Warwick Music Group
Lead Facilitator
Warwick Music

Christie Haddad

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Researcher
Postgraduate Researcher and Teaching Assistant / University College London

Christie Haddad is a full time Postgraduate Researcher in Music Education at the Institute of Education UCL. She is a Postgraduate Teaching Assistant on the MA in Music Education programme and is an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. She obtained her Masters in Music Education from the Institute of Education (2019) and her research focused on policy reforms for the national music curriculum in Lebanon. Presently, her PhD research emphasis is centred on the social-emotional impact of music technology on early childhood music education and on music technology practices within early childhood settings. Christie pursued a Bachelor in Fine Arts and Art History from the American University of Beirut while working towards her Piano Performance diploma from Trinity College London. She has also performed as a Soprano with several choirs and ensembles such as the AUB Choir and Choral Society, Beirut Chamber Choir, and Ensemble Vivace. After her undergraduate degree, Christie taught music in both elementary and early childhood departments at the American Community School Beirut. She has worked as a Programme Coordinator for Guildhall Young Artists Islington and currently works as a Project Manager for the Peace and Prosperity Trust, a U.K. charity that promotes young artists and raises awareness for charitable projects from the Middle East and the Western world.

Clare Salters

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Co - Facilitator
Woodwind Tutor

Courtney Reed

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Research Student
Research Student ( PhD ) Queen Mary University of London

David Ward - Managing Director

da..@techmusiced.org.uk

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Managing Director
Lead Facilitator

David Ward has spent a lifetime in the Music Industry, 25 years as an entertainer, singer, comedian, three years as a club and concert promoter, 15 years as a professional singer and comedian and 25 years as a recording studio owner/manager/sound engineer, some of these concurrently. He founded Gateway Studios in 1976 and was also the founder of the Gateway School of Recording, Music Technology and Music Business Studies. Gateway was the first independent music industry school in Europe and pioneered many new learning methods and areas of study. David's lifelong commitment to education continues with his work as a founder and Executive Director of JAMES. He is also a Director of APRS, Chair of the Music Education Council Music Technology group. He writes qualifications for awarding bodies and travels widely as a consultant to education authorities, government departments and institutions in course design, listening skills and education facility design. One of his greatest delights is explaining the world of sound and recording to people and organisations outside the music industry and has recently been involved with designing courses for a major manufacturer of PA equipment. David trained as a therapist in Psychosynthesis and Positive Psychology and uses this work in an education context, researching and developing learning skills. Over the last 10 years he has developed a system of Stress Relief and Resilience called Dynamic Calm © which he is now bringing to the Music Industry in the UK. Accessibility and inclusion at all levels have been a guiding principle in all his work and he is now proud to work with the team on on the Accessible Musical Instruments Challenge. He still sings and performs albeit without the beard and long hair that he used to hide behind.

Diane Gilbert

di..@plexal.com

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Associate for Inclusive Innovation
Innovation Associate

Diane is the innovation associate for Inclusive Innovation at Plexal, and is passionate about using technology and innovation as a force for change and social impact. Her role involves working with corporate partners to help them identify and solve their inclusion challenges, as well as supporting OpenDoor: our accelerator programme for social entrepreneurs.

Duncan Menzies

du..@hotmail.co.uk

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Challenge Owner
P - BROCK Developer

Evangelos Himonides

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Reader in Technology, Education, and Music

Ewan Morrison

ew..@hobs.com

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Head
Head of Visualisation

Ewan Morrison is the head of 3D Visualisation at Hobs 3D. Creative. Collaborative. Comprehensive. Hobs 3D offer one of the most complete ranges of 3D services in the world. We bridge the gap between digital and physical 3D creation, employing a select and diverse team of 3D printing specialists, model makers, product designers, 3D digital artists and Mixed Reality XR/VR/AR immersive storytellers. We employ our creativity and technical expertise across multiple industries, working with the world's leading companies from art & fashion to architecture, from computer gaming to construction, and from marketing to healthcare. We work closely alongside our clients as their creative department to envision, enhance and actualise their projects to the highest standards.

Hannah Williams

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Export Sales & Operations Coordinator

Jacob Harrison

ja..@ohmi.org.uk

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Co - Facilitator
Research Director / the OHMI Trust
the OHMI Trust / Research Director

Jason Dasent

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Challenge Owner
Member of a Worldwide Team of Beta
Music Producer

John Sandford

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Retired Head of Music

Kadine James

ka..@hobs.com

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Creative Tech Lead

Kat Kuczynski

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Deputy Head / Glamorgan Music School

Lindsay Higgs

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Guitar Teacher

Liz Wrighton

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Challenge Owner

Luis Zayas

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Student
Student / Queen Mary, University of London

Martina Fatato

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Designer

Mary-Alice Stack - CEO

ma..@creativeunited.org.uk

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Chief Executive
Chief Executive of Creative United

Mary-Alice Stack is Chief Executive of Creative United, an entrepreneurial community interest company committed to supporting the growth and development of the arts and creative industries through pioneering programmes such as the Own Art and Take it away interest free loan schemes. Over the past 15 years she has specialised in the use of business support and alternative forms of finance and investment as a mechanism for achieving social and economic impact across the arts and cultural sector. In March 2018, she initiated the establishment of the Take it away Consortium, a partnership between Creative United and five leading music and disability organisations with a shared commitment to making access to music making inclusive and accessible to all.