Announcing the Music Education Futures: A 3‑Part Professional Development Series

Our new three-part series supports early‑career and freelance music practitioners to better understand the UK music education landscape, build sustainable working practices, and develop high-quality, fundable music education projects. You are welcome to join whichever sessions are most useful to them, whether that’s just 1 or 2 or all 3.   

We will be delivering the series both in person and online, and there will be the option to take part in facilitated peer mentoring sessions, creating ongoing opportunities for reflection, connection and shared problem-solving beyond the sessions.  

Full speaker line-up to be announced soon. 

Part 1: Understanding the UK Music Education Ecosystem and Careers 

• In person session: 10.30am – 1.30pm, Wednesday 17 June 2026, Rich Mix, London
  • Book your place here

• Online session: 10am – 12pm, Thursday 2 July 2026, online via Zoom
  • Book your place here

This opening session introduces the structure, opportunities and realities of working within the music education sector. 

Through presentations and group discussion, attendees will explore how music education is organised across music hubs, schools, community organisations and cultural partners. Together, we will unpack the wide range of roles available – from music tutor and ensemble leader to workshop facilitator, curriculum-based educator, project manager and creative practitioner – and examine how individuals often move between these roles across their careers. 

The session will also address the realities of portfolio careers in music education, helping participants reflect on professional identity, areas of specialism and the responsibilities and opportunities unique to music education practice.

Part 2: Being a Freelance Practitioner – Sustainability and Wellbeing 

• In person session: 10.30am – 1.30pm, Wednesday 16 September 2026, Rich Mix, London
  • Book your place here

• Online session: 10am – 12pm, Thursday 1 October 2026 online via Zoom
  • Book your place here

This second session focusses on the practical, financial and emotional realities of working as a freelance practitioner – with sustainability at its core. 

We will explore how to manage multiple roles and contracts, navigate music‑specific delivery environments, and address financial planning for irregular income, boundary‑setting and wellbeing strategies, with space for peer troubleshooting and shared problem‑solving. Attendees will leave with clearer frameworks for managing freelance workloads while maintaining creative and personal sustainability. 

Part 3: Developing, Funding and Evaluating Music Projects 

• In person session: 10.30am – 1.30pm, Wednesday 20 January 2027 Rich Mix, London
  • Book your place here

• Online session: 10am – 12pm, Thursday 4 February 2027 online via Zoom
  • Book your place here

The final session supports practitioners to move from ideas to delivery – equipping participants with the skills to design, fund and evaluate impactful music education projects. 

We will explore how to write strong funding applications and develop realistic budgets and resource plans. The session will demystify what funders and partners look for in music‑led work, particularly in relation to inclusion, access, quality and outcomes. 

Alongside this we’ll also look at how to measure the impact of projects and programmes and how this can actively strengthen future project design, rather than functioning as a tick‑box exercise.

Find more information on all of our upcoming events: