OUR TEAM
Music Leaders
One of the things that sets ArtsTrain apart is the quality of our expert music practitioners. Each member of the team is specially selected for their combination of skill, music industry experience and teaching ability.
Our team of industry professional Music Leaders have a substantial track record both in the commercial music industry and in community music-making and represent a broad mix of skills and musical backgrounds.
They are skilled instrumentalists, songwriters, composers, vocal leaders, arrangers - often combining these skills. Above all we choose practitioners who are inspiring role-models for our participants.
Assistant Music Leaders
Each one of our of our Assistant Music Leaders is an inspiring role model who is on their path to become a professional within the music industry. They work alongside our Music Leaders and enrich our projects with their individual passion, musicianship and knowledge. They also provide astute feedback, guidance and pastoral support for our young people.
Some of our Assistant Music Leaders have joined the programme as young people and have grown with the project, now providing mentoring and guidance for current participants.
Phil Jack
Rahel Debebe-Dessalegne
Barbara Pugliese
James Yarde
Damien Cooke
Yasmin Ali
Naomi Jackson
Esther Wanderema
Kadian Foster
Dan Ademola
Anoushka Congdon
Noel Chambers
Programme Leaders
Our small but dedicated team is made up of specialists in education, youth inclusion, community engagement, artist development, digital marketing and audience development. Our team have built ArtsTrain to a position of strength with vibrant partnerships and a clear vision for the future.
Debra Weekes - Partnerships Manager
Debra is an experienced project manager with a specialism in stakeholder engagement to provide sports and arts opportunities for under-represented groups. Having spent the early part of her working life teaching for Southwark Council Debra is passionate about supporting young people to reach their full potential and fully appreciates the benefits that’s ArtsTrain provides.
Alice Hale - Programme Manager
Alice is an experienced Music Leader, qualified teacher, specialist SEND educator and artist. Alice started working with ArtsTrain as a music leader in 2016. In 2019 Alice took on the role of Programme Producer and in 2021 started managing the Programme. In her time with ArtsTrain, Alice has produced multiple performances and events, built relationships with a range of new partners and created career pathways for a number of young creatives.
Alice is passionate about community, inclusivity and the power of co-creating to connect and empower people. Prior to ArtsTrain, Alice worked with International Development Charity Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) as a Team Leader. Alice has delivered workshops for LSO Discovery and worked with the Arts Council supporting artists with access needs apply for funding. In her songwriting workshops, Alice explores the relationship between writing and mental health. Alice releases music under the artist name ‘With Sun’ and writes music for sync.
Annabell Pidduck - Programme Coordinator and Producer Annabell coordinates and supports the running of the ArtsTrain programme. Her background includes working with vulnerable young people and adults with mental health disabilities as a Music Workshop Practitioner, Project Producer, Creative Support Worker and Mental Health Representative.
As a singer-songwriter herself, Annabell is an advocate for the therapeutic benefits of songwriting and ArtsTrain’s artist development projects. In her free time, Annabell loves listening to indie/alternative, pop and film music and particularly loves discovering music by emerging female artists.
Paige Michel-Strachan - Social Media and Content Creative
Paige provides Content and Communications strategy and support to ArtsTrain. She is a Digital Marketing Specialist / Consultant in the arts, culture and heritage sector, as well as a producer and programmer of music events.
Organisations she has worked with include The Albany, Camden Council’s Culture Team, Google Arts & Culture, Horniman Museum & Gardens, Notting Hill Carnival, University of Southampton’s Arts & Culture Department and Youth Music.
She champions community and creativity, especially in underrepresented groups. Paige is care-experienced and loves working with organisations like ArtsTrain who provide creative/music workshops for young people in care. Paige loves music and going to festivals! Her favourite music genres include Afrobeats, Dancehall, Neo-Soul, RnB and Soca.