Inspirational Music Leader Award is sponsored by The Musicians' Union
The Musicians’ Union represents over thirty-four thousand musicians working in all sectors of the music business and has campaigned on behalf of its members since the organisation was established in 1893. As well as negotiating on behalf of its members with all the major employers in the industry, the MU offers a range of services for self-employed professional and student musicians of all ages.
For more information please visit musiciansunion.org.uk
For a music leader who inspires project participants through their actions, creativity, determination, positivity, energy, selflessness or ability to overcome challenges.
WINNER
Elizabeth J. Birch
MAC Birmingham, West Midlands
Elizabeth leads the way as a role model for young Disabled musicians and facilitators, managing relationships and projects to guide them to the best outcome. She encourages those around her to work more inclusively, to think outside of the box or, to use an analogy she employs in her sessions, to switch in different plugins for our metaphorical synthesiser to adapt to whatever circumstance we're in and make the music we want.
When crafting her Soundscapes project at MAC, Elizabeth used polls to let the young people vote on the theme of the sessions. In Variety Jam, an online music club for 13-25s, Elizabeth sensitively steers the musical content shared by young people, giving them a sense of respect, professionalism and musical insight
Elizabeth assisted sessions for MAC's inclusive band SWITCH, spoke on Radio WM and BBC Introducing, performed at residential homes and Virtual Schools concerts, and chaired panels about access to music at various conferences.
Antonia Lines
Come Play With Me CIC, Yorkshire & The Humber
Antonia leads Come Play With Me's Come Platform Me project, the label's LGBTQ Connected Sounds podcast and LGBTQ/Trans inclusion training. the takes care of younger team members from a line manager or pastoral perspective. Last year, the team won Music Week's Women In Music 'Diversity In The Workplace' award.
Antonia sets the standard in making sure that CPWM's ethos and aims, to champion and celebrate under-represented and marginalised communities in music, are at the forefront of everything the label does.
Benjamin Turner
Rap Club Productions C.I.C, London
Turner has changed and inspired so many lives over the years. Starting out as a music teacher in Croydon, his specialism was jazz - he knew nothing about UK rap in the beginning. After setting some Year 9s a detention, he passed them a laptop and asked them to play the music they liked. This was the first time he heard raw UK Drill. But he was inspired by the passion, especially in kids who were at risk of exclusion. They enjoyed the detention so much, Turner turned it into an after-school Rap Club. Soon they had multiple battle of the band's wins, performances at Disneyland Paris, Royal Albert Hall and even Wembley Arena within two years. The creative community Turner built started to have a life of its own, becoming an independent organisation to continue the growth as he moved to a school in Camden.
Two years later, Benjamin became Director of Music at East London Arts & Music, where the majority of the Rap Club kids he had worked with over the years followed. Now, he focuses full-time on Rap Club (and the flagship 'Spit Game') supporting young Black creativity and managing talent.