FOUNDER & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Polly Ives is one of the UK’s leading music educationalists with a varied portfolio as a concert presenter, narrator, promoter, workshop leader, trainer and cellist.

Polly believes that music should be accessible to everyone from birth and throughout people’s lives. Her career has focused on finding unique and creative ways to provide high-quality musical experiences for young children (particularly 0-8 year olds) and their wide and varied communities.

She regularly produces and presents children’s concerts alongside many highly renowned orchestras, ensembles and soloists (including London Philharmonic Orchestra, London Mozart Players and Ensemble 360) and with the leading arts organisations and venues in the UK (including the Southbank Centre, Wigmore Hall, Sheffield Theatres and Royal Opera House). She has worked with CBeebies, BBC Radio 3 and Scala Radio.

Polly has won numerous national awards with her work with Concerteenies and Music in the Round, including PRS Foundation, Royal Philharmonic Society and the David Bedford Music education award. She has previously led ground-breaking projects funded by Arts Council England, Youth Music, Garfield Weston and numerous South Yorkshire Trusts and Foundations and more.

Polly aims to inspire and support others by leading conferences, training and mentorships through Music Hubs, universities, early years music networks and arts organisations.

You can learn more about Polly on her website.

PROJECTS MANAGER

After studying Music at the University of Sheffield, Hannah joined the team in 2019, helping to run concerts. During the pandemic, Hannah’s role grew rapidly and is now responsible for a large part of the administrative work behind Concerteenies. You’ll still see her running concerts, which she still loves!

Hannah also works for Derbyshire Music Hub delivering whole-class brass instrumental lessons, and for North East Derbyshire Music Centre as director of their junior brass ensemble.

CHAIR OF TRUSTEES

With a background in theatre and performance, Jane is a creative project manager and producer based in Sheffield. Over the past 15 years she has worked in a range of roles in a variety of settings including museums, galleries, theatres, charities, social enterprises, hospitals and universities as well as out and about in the community.

In 2015, Jane set up Sheffield Creative Guild, a membership cooperative for creatives of all persuasions in the city to connect, find support and promote their work. For 7 years they provided events, exhibitions, gigs, maker markets, training courses, a mentoring programme, a skills swap timebank and much more. Due to the pandemic and then the cost of living crisis the Guild closed its doors in August 2022.

With a background in arts management I have worked in Sheffield for the past 20 years. I have worked in a range of roles in a variety of settings including museums, galleries, theatres, charities, hospitals and universities as well as out and about in the community. In 2015, I set up Sheffield Creative Guild, a membership cooperative for creatives of all persuasions in the city to connect, find support and promote their work. For 7 years, we produced events, exhibitions, gigs, maker markets, training courses, a mentoring programme, a skills swap timebank and much more. I am currently Director of Bloom Sheffield, a social enterprise supporting people with mental health needs.

“I am delighted to be the Chair of Trustees for Concerteenies, I am a big fan and with 2 small children I am also a regular participant and audience member! I hope to bring a range of skills, knowledge and connections to help Concerteenies grow and thrive during this exciting period of becoming a new charity.”

TREASURER

Margaret is a retired charity Finance Director and chartered accountant.

After qualifying as an accountant in1986, she moved into arts funding, as Finance Manager at West Midlands Arts and then as Assistant Director at North West Arts and has been a trustee of Yorkshire Arts. She became Central Services Director at Nottingham Community Housing Association and Chief Executive at the National Library for the Blind. After that for ten years she worked as a senior civil servant in the Department for Education and Skills and in Governmental bodies. Margaret then returned to the voluntary sector as Group Finance and HR Director for Good Things Foundation. She also has extensive experience of setting up charities, finance and HR systems and of charity Governance. She has been on many charity boards including being Chair of the Showroom Cinema and Vice Chair of RNIB. She is also a freelance consultant to voluntary sector organisations and provides executive coaching to women leaders in the voluntary sector.

Margaret brings her long experience of working in the voluntary sector to the Concerteenies Board and as a relatively new grandmother, she brings her grandson to Concerteenies concerts!

TRUSTEE

Naomi has enjoyed an extensive and varied career as a professional musician, holding orchestral principal horn posts for over 30 years. She has played for Concerteenies many times including in their first concert.

As a member of Ensemble 360, Naomi has worked across South Yorkshire and understands the music needs of Concerteenies’ targeted area.

As a musician, workshop leader, coach, teacher, and trainer, Naomi has wide ranging experiences in providing music in cultural education and health and social care settings. This includes new mums, Early Years and children with Special Education Needs and Disability (SEND), hospitals and primary/secondary education. The commissioning and performance of new music is an integral part of this.

Naomi has also mentored early career musicians. As part of Manchester Camerata’s Music in Mind team she has trained and supported carers and musicians showing the therapeutic benefits of embedding music into daily life for people living with dementia.

As a Concerteenies’ board member, she brings her passion about mental health and providing opportunities with diverse communities as well as her network of contacts built over many years of working for different types and sizes of organisations across the city.

TRUSTEE

Alison has been a primary school teacher for 22 years and is now a Deputy Headteacher. She has been a music lead making sure that the National Curriculum for Music was covered from Foundation stage to Year 6. She has worked alongside organisations such as; The Arts Council, The Music Hub and Music in the Round. Alison uses her leadership and management skills to bring people together for the good of children and has made sure that children have access to a wide variety of different experiences, such as performing and listening to live music and has linked with many musicians to provide these experiences. This cultural capital, she thinks, enhances classroom education.

Based on first-hand knowledge and experience of the impact that music can make in the lives and development of children from all backgrounds, Alison has worked consistently to ensure inclusivity for children in music. She continues to be passionate about Music Education and looks forward to implementing the new guidance for Music Education ‘The Power of Music to Change Lives: A National Plan for Music Education.

Alison also brings to the board a detailed and comprehensive understanding of primary education, the National Curriculum and the role that music can play in helping teach it, and the importance of Safeguarding. She takes on the Designated Safeguarding Lead Deputy role for Concerteenies.