Music for Education & Wellbeing

Jan 08 2025 44 ep. 35 mins 6

Music for Education & Wellbeing Podcast artwork

Listen in each month or two to get ideas, inspiration and practical advice from people involved in music education, community music, music therapy and more. Learn how you can break down barriers to music, through communications, advocacy and inclusive practice. These conversations are hosted by Anita Holford at Music Education Works and Writing Services. www.writing-services.co.uk | www.musiceducationworks.org.uk

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Episode 44: PODCAST [44] A rich music education ecology – with Dr Ally Daubney, researcher & John Bergin, Newham Music

Jan 08 2025 38 mins

In this episode, I talk with Dr Ally Daubney, educator, researcher, evaluator and author and John Bergin, CEO of Newham Music, one of the partners in the East London Music Alliance music education hub. Following 5 years of research into participation, professional development, progression and sustainability in music education, they’ve developed a model for what they term a ‘ric

Episode 43: PODCAST [43] Music education research, social justice and public engagement – with Erin Johnson-Williams and Caz Creagh

Nov 25 2024 34 mins

In this episode, I talk with Erin Johnson-Williams and Caz Creagh from the Arts & Humanities Research Council - Hub for Public Engagement with Music Research. The hub is part of the Centre for Music Education and Social Justice at Southampton University. It aims to connect music education research to real-world settings, and to fund research that informs government policy to ha

Episode 42: PODCAST [42] Drumming research with young people and world-famous rock musicians - Professor Marcus Smith, Clem Burke Drumming Project

Sep 25 2024 37 mins

In this episode, I talk with Professor Marcus Smith, who is co-founder of the Clem Burke Drumming project, based at Chichester University which is researching the physical, mental and health benefits of drumming. Marcus co-founded the project with Dr Clem Burke, who is the drummer with Blondie; and Professor Steve Draper of Hartpury University. We discuss the research, includ

Episode 41: PODCAST [41] Running a community music organisation - with Nikki-Kate Heyes MBE, founder, soundLINCS

Aug 22 2024 38 mins

In this episode, I talk withNikki-Kate Heyes MBE, who was the founder, and until recently, CEO of soundLINCS, a community music organisation that’s been working with people from all walks of life through music, for 26 years. We talk about the development of the organisation, the health and direction of the community music sector, and Nikki-Kate gives her three tips for survival a

Episode 40: [40] Evidencing music education’s impact using local authority & music service data - with James Dickinson, Head of Hull Music Service and hub lead

Jul 01 2024 31 mins

In this episode, I talk with James Dickinson, head of Hull Music Service, which is part of the local authority and also lead for the new music education hub covering Hull, East Riding, north and northeast Lincolnshire. We discuss how the music service is partnering with the local authority to use data to explore the impact of music on attainment. We also discuss how the servi

Episode 39: PODCAST [39] Music, positive youth development, and academic partnerships, with Professor Beatriz Ilari, University of Southern California

Jun 06 2024 33 mins

In this episode, I talk with Beatriz Ilari, a Professor at the Center for Music, Brain and Society at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles. We discuss a 10-year study looking at the impact of music and sports programmes for young people; and a short study using an evaluation method and approach to teaching called Positive Youth Development. We also discuss how academi

Episode 38: PODCAST [38] A new music and leadership course driven by young people’s musical passions, with James McPherson

May 08 2024 19 mins

In this episode, I talk with James McPherson, Managing Director of Music Leaders UK, a new music course and award for secondary school age students. The downturn in numbers of young people pursuing music in schools and other settings is a worrying trend, particularly in the UK. The award aims to address this, by acknowledging learners’ own musical passions and interests whi

Episode 37: PODCAST [37] Music, healing and activism with Ami Gaston of the International Cultural Arts & Healing Sciences Institute

Jan 18 2023 38 mins

A hate crime and a near death experience caused Ami Gaston to re-evaluate her life and future. She now works internationally to promote healing and wellbeing through music and activism. She’s worked with refugees and families through organisations such as the US government and the United Nations. She also has a great story to tell about performing for the Dalai Lama.

Episode 36: PODCAST [36] Routes into the music industry with Dr Oliver Morris, UK Music; and Serona Elton, University of Miami and the Mechanical Licensing Collective

Nov 17 2022 44 mins

In this episode, I talk with Serona Elton, from the University of Miami and the Mechanical Licensing Collective; and Dr Oliver Morris, Head of Education and Skills at UK Music. We talked about their routes into the music industry, and the challenges and opportunities for young people – and their families - wanting to understand what roles they could pursue in music.

Episode 35: PODCAST [35] How singing and songwriting can help new mums experiencing mental health problems – with Penny Osmond, workshop and choir leader

Jul 28 2022 40 mins

In this episode, I talk with Penny Osmond, workshop and choir leader, about her singing work with new mums who have perinatal mental health disorders. We discuss the first randomised control research in this area, led by Professors Rosie Perkins and Daisy Fancourt, which found that singing could relieve moderate to severe post-natal depression at double the rate of control gr