Changes at Sound Connections

September always has an air of change about it – the beginning of a new academic year, new opportunities to embrace, and the turn of the season. It’s definitely a new season for us here at Sound Connections, as we’ve got some fantastic people to say goodbye to and some fantastic new people to introduce you to!

Firstly, we’d like to say a huge thank you and good luck to Co-Director Wizdom Layne, Trustees Milli-Rose Rubin and Mathilda Taylor, and our freelance Communications Coordinator Ujwal Karmokar who are moving on from Sound Connections this autumn.

Thank you Wizdom

After two years as Deputy and Co-Director, Wizdom Layne will be stepping away from Sound Connections to pursue further opportunities within the music industry as Sound Connections continues to support the music education community.

During his time at Sound Connections, Wizdom was instrumental in developing the monthly Wired Up events, overseeing the IPIA conference’s move to Rich Mix, connecting music education and music careers with the development of the Wired Producers programme, delivering the MOBO UnSung programme including all 10 artists performing at Glastonbury, and engaging with new funders including the Paul Hamlyn, Karlson Jativa Charitable, and the Ed Sheeran Foundations.

Wizdom would like to thank the amazing Sound Connections staff team, trustees, and participants and wishes them all well for the future.

Co-Director Liz Coomb will now step into the role as Interim Director. Liz and the whole Sound Connections team wish Wizdom the best of luck in his next steps and thank him for everything he’s brought to the organisation!

Thank you Milli-Rose and Mathilda

Similarly, after two years in post as our young Trustees, Milli-Rose Rubin and Mathilda Taylor are stepping down from their roles. We’d like to thank them for all their hard work and contributions over this time, and we can’t wait to see what they do next.

We will be recruiting for two new young Trustees this Autumn so watch this space if you’re interested.

And hello to new team members

We’re really excited to welcome Ra’eesah, Mwathi Muriu-Gakonga and Kerk Henderson to the team this September!

Ra’eesah and Mwathi are our new Trainee Associates who will be learning the ropes of our music education and sector support work, and Kerk is our new freelance Communications Coordinator and will be leading on comms for both Sound Connections and Wired4Music. We will share more updates on our new team members in the coming weeks.

Come and meet the team

We’re really excited to bring back our Sound Connections Social this autumn – Would Love to Meet. Come along and join us on 25 November at Rich Mix for a training session with Jenetta Hurst, followed by a relaxed and informal social where you can meet the team and make new connections.

Book your spot here and we’ll see you there!