To contact any member of staff by email please use the initial of their first name, then their surname and then @kent-music.com. For example: Gail Batty is gbatty@kent-music.com. For all general enquiries please email hello@kent-music.com

More about our Board of Trustees

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Peter Bolton

Chief Executive
I play the clarinet with various groups in an around Canterbury and the east of Kent. I have been lucky to have some wonderful musical experiences in my life. One of the highlights was to work on the 70th birthday concert for Leonard Bernstein at the Tanglewood Festival in the USA where I was working one summer. A question of right place at the right time! Amazing experience. I listen to all sorts of music. One of my desert island discs will have to be Roundabout a Midsummer’s Dream by the Italian jazz musician Gianluigi Trovesi. It relates to a very special time of my life and contains most genres! I am a keen recreational cyclist which is a good way of getting away from it all. One of my favourite places to cycle is King’s Wood above the Wye Valley, especially in the spring when the bluebells are out.
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Trevor James

Senior Leader, Tuition and Ensembles
Before joining Kent Music in 2018, I was a clarinet and sax teacher, then a classroom music teacher in primary and secondary schools and in alternative provision. I currently play tenor sax in the Orbi Playa Big Band. I love listening to a very eclectic mix of music and music podcasts, and enjoy listening to old favourites as well as new music across all musical styles. My favourite place in Kent – Canterbury Cathedral. I love the different views you get of the cathedral from all around Canterbury, but also the internal architecture and history of our World Heritage site.
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Liv Edwards

Senior Leader, Music Education Hub
Before working at Kent Music I was a secondary school music teacher in East London. I play clarinet and saxophone and most enjoy playing jazz. I listen to a vast range of music, spanning from Lauryn Hill to J Dilla, Blossoms to Foo Fighters as well as some 90s Brit Pop! At university I most enjoyed studying 20th century Russian composers particularly Stravinsky and Shostakovich. My favourite place to visit in Kent is either Shorne Woods or Dungeness!
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Ruth Roberts

Senior Leader, Operations
I started my musical journey learning piano and cello as child and enjoyed many wonderful opportunities of making music in my hometown of Belfast As an adult, I have learnt bass guitar and double bass, and currently play in a Big Band and a Latin jazz band. I love listening to a range of music; classical, funk, soul and my all-time favourite, jazz! I’m currently listening to Pat Metheny, Ahmad Jamal, McCoy Tyner, Herbie Hancock, Snarky Puppy and Weather Report. Classical favourites include piano music by Ravel and Debussy and orchestral works by Janacek and Brahms. In my free time, I love walking my black retriever, Lyra, with my husband in the forests and farmlands around our home near Tenterden.
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Kirsten Ellington

Tuition Manager
I joined Kent Music in 2019 after spending 12 years as a peri singing and whole class music teacher, workshop facilitator and professional singer. As a singer I have sung as solo artist, with choirs and as a backing vocalist amazing artists in venues such as The Royal Albert Hall, the O2 Arena and the Grand Prix. I am currently listening to Emily King, Anderson. Paak and the Sunday Service Choir. My favourite place in Kent is Folkestone Harbour, a great place for a range of food, music and good vibes.
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Sharron Randall

Tuition Administrator
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Hannah Hayes

Area Manager for Sevenoaks, Tonbridge & Malling, Tunbridge Wells
My principal instrument is the clarinet, which I have played for as long as I can remember, and which started with an introduction from Kent Music! My typical playlist will usually be filled with something from Red Hot Chilli Peppers or Gaslight Anthem, with a musical theatre favourite thrown in - currently Hamilton. I feel lucky to have grown up and now work in Kent. I love to explore Kent’s beautiful history, either with a picnic at Leeds Castle, a wander around Canterbury Cathedral or a trek up to Dover Castle with my family.
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Helen Simmonds

Lead Area Administrator (Sevenoaks, Tonbridge & Malling, Tunbridge Wells)
I have always been interested in music since playing my own Top 10 hits like my Mum’s Beatles records and one of my first records, Culture Club’s Karma Chameleon on a small portable record player. The first thing I remember saving up for was a Guitar which I still own. I didn’t really get much chance to have lessons as a child so when I joined Kent Music in 2019 this was a perfect time to pick it up again and have some lessons. One of my children also had some Voice lessons and is now doing a BSc (Hons) in Music Technology. I have therefore experienced all aspects from being a student, to having a child learn and putting in place the Music lessons which has been very beneficial. My favourite place in Kent is Sissinghurst Castle gardens and I enjoy walks around the Kent countryside. The Band ‘Keane’ usually feature quite a lot in my playlists and I love outdoor music concerts.
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Gemma Mas

Area Administrator (Sevenoaks, Tonbridge & Malling, Tunbridge Wells)
I have played the trumpet for what feels like most of my life and studied music at university. I am especially passionate about inspiring young girls to play brass and love learning about women in music in general. Some of my favourite musical memories are playing for the Queen, opening a brass ensemble concert at St Giles Cathedral at Ed Fringe and getting to play alongside the LSO. As Dick Clark says, "Music is the soundtrack of our lives" therefore I listen to a lot of things depending on my mood. I LOVE Elton John and The Beatles but am also a fan of divas like Beyonce. I've not lived in Kent for long but from what I have explored I really love Folkstone - cute beach town with colourful buildings.
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Lucy Duff

Area Manager for Ashford, Swale, Folkestone and Hythe
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Kim Tuffin

Area Administrator (Ashford, Folkestone & Hythe, Swale)
Three words about me: books, cello and cake! Currently listening to Gregory Porter, Bach and Erroll Garner (Sloe Gin Fizz is my favourite). My favourite place to visit in Kent is Reculver Towers and a nice clifftop walk!
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Richard Davies

Area Manager for Canterbury, Thanet and Dover
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Mitchell Emery

Lead Area Administrator (Music Centres)
Three words about me: Music obsessed nerd. Currently listening to Father John Misty. My favourite place to visit in Kent is any of Kent's amazing record shops or grass-roots music venues
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Malcolm Gayner

Area Manager for Dartford, Gravesham & Maidstone
I’ve always loved bringing people together to facilitate music and the arts. Before working at Kent Music I could often be found recording albums in a colourful studio in South-East London, touring around Europe or managing live events. My various musical adventures have made me an avid believer that any genre can give me chills. This week I have mostly been listening to: Lizzo, Snarky Puppy, Cinematic Orchestra, Refused, Al Green, Paul Simon and a stunning folk group called Punch Brothers. I love the village of Halling; there are so many beautiful walks, especially along the river in the evening.
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Helen Vincent

Area Administrator (Dartford, Gravesham and Maidstone)
I feel truly blessed to be a professional singer, as well as using my other skills to teach and work for Kent Music as an administrator. I have worked in cathedral music for several years, notably becoming the first woman to sing at Lincoln in 2011 in what was formerly an all-male back row. I also sing with the professional vocal ensemble, Vox Urbane. I enjoy early music as well as modern choral works such as James MacMillan’s Miserere, but a bit of Aurora, Muse or Frank Sinatra is equally enjoyable depending on my mood. When I’m not singing around the house or in a cathedral, you can find me in the garden, at the local climbing gym, walking the dog, practising archery with family or doing a spot of yoga. I’m an explorer at heart - as well as finding new spots to walk, I enjoy discovering new songs through teaching and performing and I think I’m in the minority when I say that I love sight-singing. There’s something exciting about hearing a piece of music for the first time and being part of it. I’m still pretty new to Kent, having moved here in 2021, but it’s been a pleasure getting to know my area near home in Lenham throughout the seasons.
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Toni Webb

Area Administrator (Dartford, Gravesham and Maidstone)
Before I joined Kent Music I had various roles within Maidstone schools. I used to sing in the school choir and still sing whenever possible much to the delight of my dog! My musical taste runs from Tom Petty to the Foofighters and many 80’s bands in between. My favourite place to visit is the North Downs.
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Phill Hyde

County Groups and Medway Towns Music Centre Manager
Having been a County Groups Manager with Kent Music since 1992 I am pleased to say I still love my job as much as I did when I had more hair! Studying at both The Royal Academy of Music and Trinity College of Music I was lucky enough to have enjoyed a professional trombone playing career for over 25 years working alongside my work for Kent Music. I retired from professional playing in 2018 to spend more time with my family and enable more time for my relaxing interests and hobbies including flying, sailing and clay pigeon shooting! I listen to all styles of music but Big Band Jazz is still top of the list for me with Stan Kenton and Maynard Ferguson featuring heavily.
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Valerie Cordina

County Programmes Manager
I joined Kent Music in 1997 working in the County Programmes Team for the last 20 years. I used to play violin and would like to get back to that at some stage but I still play classical guitar – just for my own pleasure. I’m a lover of play-lists and have a variety to suit my mood. My favourites this week include music from The Jersey Boys, Sheku Kanneh-Mason and Gregory Porter; last week it was David Bowie, Miley Cyrus and Pentatonix and next week … who knows ? My favourite place in Kent is Leeds Castle – especially going to the open-air concerts.
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Leanne Hardy

County Programmes Coordinator
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Emily Bristow

Librarian
I have been part of Kent Music for nearly 20 years in some form another starting as a student, through mentoring, ensemble tutor and now a part of the website! I trained at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance and the Royal College of Music, London as a Trumpet player. I now teach a wide range of brass lessons across Kent as well as run the library for Kent Music. Alongside teaching I still enjoy playing and competing both nationally and internationally with a variety of different ensembles including orchestras, brass bands and solo performances. I have always had a rather eclectic music taste and will listen to almost anything. Recently I have been listening to music from Mahler symphonies, Back To The Future the musical, Spice Girls, Avicii, Frankie Valli and a more permanent favourite of ABBA. Despite living in London for 6 years and becoming a city lover nothing beats coming back to the beautiful Kent countryside and going for a Sunday afternoon stroll through the fields. I particularly enjoy walking across the top of Linton Hill past Buttercups Goat Sanctuary.
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Mandy Sangiuseppe

Inclusion Development Manager
Three words about me: community, arts, beach What are you listening to? Beats and a fuelled love for reggae. My playlist varies every day and I love exploring the creativity and talent of the artists we work with, currently listening to Kotchin. Favourite place in Kent? I like to be found at the Lazy Shack after a nice paddleboard along Hythe beach. When found, return to the Folkestone harbour arm or Quarter house in Folkestone, where there’s often live music, food and workshops to enjoy.
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Zoe Marksford

School Support and Development Manager
I studied music at university and play saxophone and violin, a strange combo but very useful. I play in Eynsford concert band and have toured extensively with them, including playing on three cruises. I was a music teacher for 24 years and am now enjoying sharing my knowledge and experience supporting schools in Kent. I have no shame when it come to music and listen to all sorts. However, I can always be found singing along to ABBA! I love Country music and Little Big Town are a favourite or I can get lost in the lush harmonies of Sibelius. Aside from a brief stint in Essex and Connecticut I am a Kent girl. My go-to places are Seasalter beach for a lazy afternoon with my family or soaking up the gardens at Mount Ephraim. I can recommend a slice of lemon cake and a stroll in the rose garden for a bit of de stressing.
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Grace Irvine

Communications Manager
I’m a fan of all performing arts, and am passionate about opportunities for creativity, access to culture and play for young people everywhere! I especially love gaming of all kinds and how it allows all of us – from the very young to the very old – to let loose and get a bit silly. I’m listening to: I have really eclectic taste – all my playlists are huge and on shuffle. Right now I’ve got ‘No Wonder I’ by LAKE on repeat for the chillout vibes though. Favourite place in Kent: You can’t beat a good walk by the sea to blow away the cobwebs. I love Reculver Towers on the north coast for the perfect mix of awe-inspiring history, breath taking nature, and an excellent local pub.
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Rebecca Ashworth

School Projects Support Manager
I have been passionate about music since my childhood in inner London and hearing sounds of reggae on walks to Brixton. I started playing classical guitar and flute at a young age, before moving onto piano and oboe and I’ve recently started learning violin. I studied music at university and worked in a classical record company before becoming a secondary music teacher. I taught in grammar and comprehensive secondary schools for over 10 years before venturing into primary music, where I have seen the importance of children having a high-quality arts education. My music taste is varied, from British folk musicians like Kate Rusby and Nick Drake to Stevie Wonder, Katie Melua and hypnotic classical composers such as Steve Reich, Debussy and Rachmaninov. I live in West Kent, with its stunning countryside and enjoy a spot of deer watching at Knole Park or visiting the gardens at Penshurst Place followed by a pub lunch.
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Gail Batty

Finance and Health & Safety Manager
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Clare Mathews

Accountant
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Ann-Louise Sirota

Finance Administrator
I am a classic saxophonist and clarinetist, but any excuse to get the Bari out, be it concert band or jazz. Aside from performing I am a keen researcher in performance science and hugely passionate about how we can use these physiological findings when teaching the next generation. Any spare time with the two dogs and two children will find me in the kitchen or the garden. There’s always music in our house, either Radio 3 or 6. I just look for a good bass - be it Queens of the Stone Age or Ein Heldenleben. I have been in Kent for 10 years now and always love the walk along the river from Sandwich to the sea. The flowing river, rolling fields, acres of beach and the seals! Something for everyone and home via the pub.
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Felicity Vinall

Music Resources Manager
It’s hard to say when I really started at Kent Music because it’s always been such a huge part of my life. I’m from a musical family, have gone through the system and somehow ended up here! I love art and I paint, draw, and upcycle anything I can get my hands on. My favourite instrument to play is the piano, although I prefer to play it just for me. I have a very varied taste in music and quite often joke that my playlist should be called ‘And now for something completely different…’ (any Monty Python fans out there). I listen to anything from System of a Down to Snarky Puppy, Ed Rush to Shostakovich. You name it, it’s probably on the playlist. I love the Kent coast and woodland!
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Lee Franklin

Musical Instruments Administrator
I’m a guitarist, woodworking enthusiast and lover of spicy food. Nuff said. I’m currently listening (a lot) to the album Need for Not by Levitation. Being from Essex, I really can’t decide my favourite place in Kent...
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Beki Redworth

Driver & Warehouse Assistant
I will ‘sing’ my head off in the car and love any live music. My current playlist is varied; Chase and Status , Metallica, Faithless and The Prodigy to name but a few. Although when I’m out in the van I listen to Dire Straits, Queen and Radio 2 so I don’t get a speeding ticket! My favourite place in Kent is probably the little village of Goodnestone (near Sandwich, not Faversham). It is where I grew up and I like to go back there for walks to reconnect with my soul! It is pretty much unchanged from way back when, peaceful and unspoilt.
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Savannah Foster

Human Resources Manager
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Sarah Freedman

Human Resources Administrator
If the weather is fine, you'll often find me working in the garden - there's nearly always a job to be done and I'm happy to get out in the fresh air. I love good food and enjoy sharing a leisurely meal lunch with family and friends. Recently I've been revisiting some favourite albums; Green by REM and The Game by Queen are currently high on my play list. I like listening to desert island discs when I'm walking the dog - it's amazing how a song or piece of music can take people right back to a particular time or place! We're still exploring Kent since relocating here. I enjoy a mooch around the Creative Quarter in Folkestone followed by fish and chips by the harbour!
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Kate Chesterman

Administrator to the Chief Executive
Failed flautist, average pianist and ropey oboist. With the occasional side-line in teaching beginners the piano, I’ve spent most of my working life in educational administration because I’m a bit better at that! Currently listening to Bach’s Chaconne in D Minor. My favourite place to visit in Kent is Trottiscliffe Country Park
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Katy Pauley

Office Administrator
Before Kent Music I taught in nurseries and primary schools, enjoying every music lesson I took part in, including the school choir and singing in assembly! I love a singsong with my daughter, so you’ll hear a little Olly Murs, Disney or good old Country (too many favourites to name). My favourite places in Kent are the Castles. I love a walk about the castle grounds, through the gardens and stopping to eat an ice cream and then of course, playing in the playpark with my daughter.