Read some of Anna’s blog posts here.
Listen to some of Anna’s own compositions here.
MUSICAL NOTES
What do you do for PMZ?
I lead Plymouth Music Zone’s work with research partners and help to share our learning. These partnerships to date have included working alongside Plymouth University’s Institute of Education and Exeter University Medical School.
I develop and deliver training at PMZ, bringing the extensive and unique experiences within the organisation to more people through skills-sharing and training events. This includes creating new resources, helping with fundraising and reporting the impact of our work. I am also a Music Leader, working across a range of settings, making use of my voice, technology and instrument skills to help support people on their musical and creative journeys.
I lead workshops across a range of settings, making use of my voice and instrumental skills to help support people on their musical journeys. I also use music technology alongside acoustic musical instruments to help provide access to music in different ways. My other role is to develop and deliver training for PMZ bringing the extensive and unique experience within the organisation to more people through skills-sharing and training events. I also help with the creation of new resources, fundraising and reporting the impact of our work.
Do you play any instruments?
It’s quite well known within PMZ that I have a bit of an instrument-collecting passion/fixation! Aside some weird and wonderful sound-making gadgets and machines, my main instruments are: Bassoon, Piano, Saxophones, Flute, Guitar.
What musical instrument would best describe you and why?
My Bassoon and I are very similar – it’s an instrument of many colours and sounds?
What has music done for you in your life?
I can’t imagine my life without music. It has always been part of my whole journey. It’s determined many of my friendships, brought me comfort, happiness and deep connections with other humans, many of whom I would never otherwise met. It helps me explain myself to others when words don’t work. It has helped me make sense of the world and has never failed to bring me resolution and understanding in the most unexpected of ways: grief, joy, love, friendships, sing-songs, being silly, sad times, work, play, travel, goodbyes – music is always there amplifying the experience, making me who I am and always teaching me something new.
What’s the best bit about working at PMZ?
People! And being surrounded by music. I am privileged every day to witness some amazing transformations, however small – the unfurling of spontaneous creativity and developing self-worth in people who often had no idea it lay within themselves, is beautiful, powerful and not comparable with any other life experience. I’m really proud to be part of such a passionate and committed team.
What’s the first record/CD you ever bought?
Tracey Chapman’s ‘Fast Car’. When I was 12. My first CD album was R.E.M. Automatic for the People.