Our annual gathering amplifies diverse voices, explores what we mean by inclusive practice, and advocates for a more equitable world.
Inclusive Practice in Action is an opportunity to pause, reflect, have important conversations, and take away tools and strategies for implementing change.
On Thursday 26 of February 2026, we held our annual Inclusive Practice in Action (IPIA) gathering. The theme of the event was ‘Creating Change Together’ and in keeping with the theme, the event was hosted in partnership with Drake Music. The conference included presentations on inclusive practice as well as discussion groups centred on the issues faced in inclusive practice and performances from young people from Wired4Music.
On February 27, 2025, we gathered at Rich Mix for Inclusive Practice in Action (IPIA) 2025—a day dedicated to exploring how we can break down barriers and create better musical futures for young people. This year’s theme, Unlocking Musical Futures: Overcoming Barriers to Progression for Young People, brought together an incredible mix of educators, musicians, industry professionals, and young people to share ideas, challenge assumptions, and learn from each other.
Sound Connections’ Inclusive Practice in Action (IPIA) gathering for 2024 once again took place at Amnesty International in London, on Thursday 14 March 2024. The theme being ‘A Seat At The Table’, this year we explored Youth Voice through a series of keynotes, 1-to-1s, workshops, panels and performances with various themes including but not limited to, navigating the music industry, neurodiversity and fundraising.
Sound Connections’ Inclusive Practice in Action (IPIA) gathering for 2023 focused on Global, Inclusive Leadership, welcoming people from all walks of life and taking place once again at Amnesty International in London on Thursday 23 March 2023. Speakers and Workshop leaders included; Khareem Jamal, Steph Dickinson, Rachel Staunton, Margaret Pierre, Nichole McGill-Higgins, Kiz Manley, and young people from Bollo Brook Youth Centre.
The full day event ‘Dancing with the process of life: Exploring mental health and wellbeing’ was Sound Connections’ first in-person, live event in 2 years, and an utterly unforgettable occasion. Speakers and workshop leaders included Lisa Cherry, Miss Jacqui, Paul Whittaker, Roger Wilson, Bazil Meade, ML Collective, Shahana Knight, Anjana Rinne, Pie Factory Music and Sharon Johnson. Curated by Brenda Rattray.
Our two-day virtual sit in focussed on diversifying the music education workforce. Prompted by the killing of George Floyd in May 2020, and the exposure of institutional racism worldwide, IPIA took racial diversity as a starting point. The event was open about the discrimination faced by Black and brown people, people of colour, white minorities, disabled people, LGBTQ+ people and women working within music education.
Hosted by Brenda Rattray, speakers included; Asif Sadiq, Deborah Williams, Geraldine Smith, Miss Jacqui, Jamel Carly-Campbell, Dr Melanie-Marie Haywood, Dr Muna Abdi and Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan.
Read the full IPIA 2021 report.
This event was themed around power and privilege in music education and was based around a ‘long table’ format.
Hosted by Talia Randall, speakers included; Claire Mera Nelson, Imrana Mahmood, Mehrak Golestan aka Reveal Poison and Sahar Summer. 40% of IPIA 2020 attendees were young people aged between 18-25 and their voices were heavily present in the long table discussions.
The inaugural IPIA event opened with a keynote from Jessica Thom (Tourettes Hero), and the event focussed generally on equality and equity in music education.