I am an Early Years musician, interested in playful, child-led and co-designed music-making. This means creating spaces for children to explore music-making, perhaps in unconventional ways. This can look like spread out instruments and sound-making objects that children can explore at their own pace and interest, vocalising which is valued and interacted with, or using multi-sensory objects to inspire musical ideas.

As a musician I am there to create inclusive and inviting spaces, notice and value musical ideas and interact musically with the participants.

Children need a range of opportunities to engage in music making which should not solely rely upon adults leading music sessions. Adult led music sessions are extremely important but should not be the only opportunity for children engage in music making. Child led music making and children’s individual musical interests needs to be valued, responded to, and nurtured – Nicola Burke and Stuart Whatmore

The Importance of Play from Developing Early Years Provision across Music Education Hubs: A Practical Guide

Previous projects include:

• Musician for Sounds of Play 2025 (ongoing). Exploring co-led, playful music in Early Years. Working collaboratively in a church-based Stay and Play in Birmingham. Sessions include using percussion such as drums, chime bars and Sound Bellows to encourage playful interactions.
• Music Champion for Spark Arts in 2023-24. Read more about my experience here. This project involved collaboratively working with an Early Years Educator at a private day nursery in Leicester, exploring child-led music and how to integrate music into continuous provision. Sessions included singing & vocalising, hand-held percussion and playfully exploring the clarinet with the young children.

I work regularly with children and young people with learning disabilities, previously also working with adults. I have recently completed a 6 month internship in Music and Intensive Interaction working with young adults with PMLD (Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities) with Fantastic Journeys.

My approach is multi-sensory, participant led and playful. I have co-led sessions in SEND schools and colleges, community spaces and interest based groups.

Previous projects include:

• Music Intern for Music & Intensive Interaction 2024. Learning about Intensive Interaction, the impact of PMLD and understanding of non-verbal communication. Working with participants with PMLD and complex support needs to explore music-making and musical development.
• Music Lead for adults with learning disabilities in 2023-24. Facilitating weekly music sessions for a group of adults with learning disabilities at a local theatre group. Sessions included singing, exploring musical instruments, composing soundscapes based on Spring and opportunities to perform to a live audience.

As part of my portfolio I work in primary schools within the West Midlands, supporting and leading school choirs, mentoring in song writing workshops, leading whole year singing assemblies and delivering regular engaging whole class singing sessions.

Previous projects include:

• Artist (Ark Music) 2024-2025: Leading weekly whole class singing sessions to Year 4 and Year 6, building vocal technique, learning varied repertoire and engaging in fun warm-ups.
• Mentor (Ark Music) 2023-2025: Supporting weekly after-school choir sessions, helping with harmonies and warm-ups; Mentoring at multi-school singing days; supporting song writing days for KS1.