Teela Hughes-Davis

CEO

I’m the co-founder and CEO of Music24. Over the years, I’ve worked within the voluntary and community sector, initially running community music projects in day centres. This followed my graduation after studying Performing Arts at college and university. I originally wanted to be an actress and loved to dance but wasn’t as good as the others, technically speaking, but I always had the passion! I decided to pursue music properly having started busking whilst travelling through Germany in 2011. When I returned, I just carried on.

Over the years, I also pursued making my own music and still write my own songs for pleasure. I was one half of musical duo, Sudo Saints, with extremely talented local guitarist and lyricist, Peter Bonnar. Peter is sadly no longer with us but working with him was a huge part of my creative development. So I gigged and busked, amongst other projects, and one day Graeme and I started Music24. It was long awaited, having started our first project back in 2010, and we felt all roads were leading to this amazing creative community we were starting to build. I get to make music every day for a living - I have the best job in the world.

Graeme Davis

Lead Music Therapist

Hi, I’m Graeme, co-founder and music therapist for Music24. I have over 25 years of clinical experience as a music therapist, having worked in hospices and for the NHS under the Arts Psychotherapies team for adults with dual-diagnosis of learning disabilities and mental health challenges.

I gained my Masters in Music Therapy after studying at the world renowned Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy Centre in London. One the years, I’ve presented my work at various conferences both nationally and internationally.

Prior to pursuing a career in music therapy, I was a classically trained violinist at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London and played professionally for many years in chamber orchestras, in particular the Bournemouth Sinfonietta.

Music24 is an incredibly exciting venture for Teela and I. We’ve been working together on projects since 2010 and Music24 is by far my calling in life. It’s been wonderful developing the communities that we’ve built and I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved.

Alex Paul

Music Therapist

I got into music while at primary school, where I was lucky enough to have a fabulously inspirational music teacher, who taught me how much fun playing and sharing music with others can be. This ethos sustained me throughout my teenage and early adulthood.

As a classically trained trombone player, I’ve had the opportunity take part in a diverse range of music, from classical to pop, salsa bands, contemporary dance and musical theatre. I currently play percussion and sing backing vocals in a ukulele band, playing retro and modern-day rock and pop covers.

Working with Music24 enables me to continue my love of sharing and making music with children, young people and adults who would not ordinarily find it easy to get the opportunity to do so.

Facilitating these opportunities, and enabling people to experience themselves being independent, fearless, and able motivates me to support them as best as I can and never fails to fascinate me how far people will push themselves, given the space and understanding.

Ashley Knight

Community Musician

I’ve a rich background in music, having achieved Grade 8 in guitar, studying music in college and playing different instruments in lots of bands. I also produce my own music and am self-taught in using Logic Pro.

 Over the years, I’ve worked with Trestle Community Arts Project in St Albans, where I honed my skills in live music events by supporting bands. I joined Music24 in 2016 initially as a volunteer and quickly became an apprentice. I studied community arts project management and was then offered a position in the team. In that time, I’ve been able to excel my abilities and dedication to working with people with a variety of complex needs. Throughout my time at Music24, I’ve built my skills up from co-facilitating on various projects, to now leading on projects and I’ve my own case load. I find my work to be extremely rewarding and I love connecting with people through the music we make together.

Rebecca Willams

Music Therapist

I’m a Music (BMus-Hons) graduate and a Nordoff Robbins trained Music Therapist. I’m a flautist and often play harmonic instruments. I’ve played in different bands/ groups over the years. 

Since qualifying as a music therapist in 2020, I’ve worked for a charity care provider in various dementia, nursing and residential care homes in Oxfordshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire. I joined Music24 in 2022 and have enjoyed working with children and adults with various needs.

Adam Qureshi

Community Musician

I was always around music growing up. My mum would play a lot of 60s/70s stuff and my nan would always have jazz music playing. I’ve also had some great guitar teachers who’ve always inspired me to improve my playing and most importantly to have fun. I studied music at Leeds Conservatoire where I played in various bands and found my love for song-writing. I’m still writing music now and have released a song called 3AM, with hopefully more to follow soon. As well as song-writing, I also teach guitar and music production. My main instrument is the guitar but I also dabble in a bit of piano, bass and most importantly – the egg shaker!  I love all types of music but I’m most influenced by indie, neo soul and jazz.

 Working with Music24 feels like being a part of a family that genuinely cares. I feel very lucky to have been given the opportunity to use something so amazing as music as a tool to bring happiness and contentment into people’s lives. That instant connection I feel when working with people never gets old. The music is important but it’s the meaningful relationships we build with people that is at the heart of what we do.

Nathan Clegg

Community Musician &

Sound Bath Facilitator

Asking an artist or musician to write about themselves. Argh! Well, I’m a lifelong lover of music - yes, that one who dances round his room as a child singing into the hairbrush. I didn’t get into actually playing music until my early 20s when a friend gave me half a set of bongos. I’ve never looked back since and one day got hold of a trumpet. I finally joined my first band when I was 30 years old. My current band, the Flamin’ Wet Gurus, has quite an eclectic mix, and I sing, play the djembe and trumpet, and even the xylophone sometimes. For those reasons, I'd say that I haven't got a main instrument although I do feel a master of my other area of work - Sound Baths. They are my favourite thing to facilitate; I get to play the Kora, an African harp, amongst Tibetan Singing Bowls and other ‘world’ instruments. I have quite a collection now!

Working with Music24 is amazing as I get to do the things I love most and make other people feel better by bringing a bit of joy and relief into what is otherwise a very tough world for a lot of those we work with. To see the difference we make to people, it's the best job in the world.

Paula Heyes

Session Support Worker and

Social Media Lead

I became a volunteer after leaving my desk job of 23 years in 2019. I found Music24 on Facebook in January 2020 and started volunteering in the Stevenage dementia group. Along with collecting food for a local foodbank, I was also a responder during the pandemic, delivering prescriptions and food to vulnerable people. Three years later I still love being a volunteer and now travel to lots of different groups in my role as social media lead, which is my favourite job! 

I'm not a musician, but I do try and play instruments and sing and anybody who knows me knows I love to dance and jump around like I'm a pogo! This is the ideal job for me, as it works around my family and helps me keep fit, which is my other passion along with running. I'm so lucky to have found this wonderful charity and to have met so many wonderful people who I class as my extended family.

Dawn Knight

EFT Practitioner &

Session Support Worker

I’ve many roles within Music24, including hands-on session support and leading on various projects such as our annual dementia-friendly carol service. Having a broad background in the care sector, both within my own personal experience with my family and as a domiciliary carer, I’m able to bring a wide range of knowledge and skills to my role. I always go the extra mile to make sure people feel cared for and supported.  

My main area of expertise lies within complementary therapies. I’ve trained to become a Reiki Master, and more recently I discovered Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) which has completely transformed my life. Since qualifying as an EFT Practitioner, I’ve witnessed the transformative nature of these simple-to-use techniques and don’t miss a chance to share the many ways that EFT can be employed.   

I’m extremely passionate about my work with Music24. I can’t imagine working for anywhere more in touch with what really matters in people's lives and genuinely seeks to address their real needs. I loved Music24 from the moment I joined and I’m truly proud of the vital work we’re all part of.

Mel Thomas

Community Musician

I have loved making music since I started piano lessons when I was 9 years old. I took up the opportunity to play the double bass in middle school and that’s when I discovered the absolute joy of making music with others!

In 1998, I graduated from the University of East Anglia with a BA (Hons) in Music. Since then, I have taught music in a variety of settings including private piano lessons, Kindermusik and other children’s music classes, and have delivered music in schools and for adults with learning disabilities. I’ve performed in groups and orchestras, ranging swing, jazz, rock and pop over the years and currently play in a rock and pop covers band.

On the non-musical side of my career, I have 25 years’ experience of working with vulnerable adults, including asylum seekers, people with physical/learning disabilities, the Deaf/Hard of Hearing community and people experiencing mental health issues, in a range of settings including social services, further education, the NHS and charitable organisations.

I love working for Music24 because it gives me the opportunity to experience the therapeutic power of music with so many amazing people!

Hilary Wood

Neuro-specialist Wellbeing Practitioner

’m a neuro-specialist wellbeing practitioner… I know, a bit of a mouthful! But my speciality is anything to do with changes to the brain. For example, how the brain responds to conditions such as strokes, dementia, and Parkinson’s disease.

I’m a singer too and sing in a worship band a couple of times a month. Working with Music24 brings both of these passions together and I love it.

I also work for the Stroke Association and I volunteer in a variety of Christian projects, including being a community chaplain. My heart is simply to make people feel better, and the work we do absolutely does this. It helps people improve their mental abilities and communication, and gives essential social contact which makes a huge difference to people, and of course music speaks to the soul in a way that nothing else does. It has very healing properties and I’ve experienced this first-hand. 

Sue Sadie

Administrator

I first came across Music24 whilst working in an admin role at the Pump House Theatre and Arts Centre in Watford. I have acquired many skills in back office tasks over the years, having worked in banks and schools.

Since I was a teenager, I’ve volunteered for several organisations. In the late 70’s to mid 80’s, I volunteered at Mount Vernon Hospital Radio where I collected patient requests and ran the record library, this led to my having a wide and eclectic taste in music. I’ve also prepared and run quiz nights with my husband Jon for many schools, and local autistic charities because my son has autism.

whilst I’ve left my admin role at the Pump House Theatre, I still volunteer for the box office and front of house duties. In the past, I have helped with costumes for various children and youth productions. I’m not a musician but love musical theatre productions and singing along to the radio whilst dancing around the kitchen!

Paul Higgins

Community Musician

I’m a professional drummer. I was inspired from a young age by music. Drums runs in my family because my cousin is an amazing drummer and my dad played the drums in a jazz band in London. Music is my passion, it fires me up to give out and receive from others. I’m in a couple of bands and currently ‘dep’ for a few bands in Beds, Herts & Bucks and also in London. Over the years I’ve had the great pleasure of working with top session musicians and had some awesome experiences.  

With my other hat on, I’ve worked with young and older adults with SEND in education, using various teaching and learning styles at Central Bedfordshire College, particularly in subjects such as music, maths, English, woodwork, art, and independent living skills. I like working for Music24, it has a caring, warm family-feel throughout the organisation.