I am a singing Music Leader for PMZ, and I am currently leading the Plymouth Proud Voices group!
Do you play any instruments?
I sure do! My main instrument is the piano, but I can also play the Guitar and Ukulele. Right now I’m learning the Cello!
What musical instrument would best describe you as a person?
I reckon I would be hanging chimes! They sound like sparkles, and I feel like I fully embody sparkles.
What has music done for you in your life?
Music has played a significant role in my life, as a source of expression, comfort, enjoyment and connection. I’ve been involved in music from a young age, starting with piano and singing, and it has been a constant presence. During school and into University I struggled to connect with many of my peers, before I knew I was Autistic, but music was always there to provide a language I understood and a way to express myself. Even when I was feeling lost and unsure of my direction in my early 20s, being part of a choir helped me stay grounded. Today, music has become my work, and it brings me so much joy!
What’s the best bit about working at PMZ?
The wonderful people! There’s never a bad day at PMZ, the door is always open and there’s a smile and a cuppa waiting for you. Even though I don’t drink tea, it’s still very much appreciated.
What’s the first record/CD you ever bought?
I reckon it was the West End Recording of Joseph and The Technicolour Dreamcoat! There was a point where I knew every single word.
Rob Tilsley
MUSICAL NOTES
What do you do for PMZ?
I coordinate the Knowledge Exchange project with Plymouth University.
Do you play any instruments?
My specialities are Ghanaian Drumming and Latin Percussion, these involve being proficient playing a wide range of percussion instruments, I also play guitar, ukulele, bass, drum kit and piano. I have been known to pick up a Gaffophone from time to time but the less said about that the better.
What musical instrument would best describe you as a person?
Crystal Baschet, it’s one of a kind, it’s weird and it does things in its own unique and somewhat awkward way.
What has music done for you in your life?
I didn’t speak until I was 3, I couldn’t decide if I was left or right handed, to this day can’t spell. Music was the first thing I was ‘good’ at. In primary school I became top of the class at playing recorder and music showed me that I could succeed.
What’s the best bit about working at PMZ?
I’ve never worked somewhere before where I’ve looked forward to going into work every day. I’ve never worked somewhere before where I have believed in what I am doing. I’ve never worked anywhere before that has been so fun, challenging, rewarding, silly, serious, kind and just generally amazing.
What’s the first record/CD you ever bought?
I’m going to go with the first record I bought because I can’t really remember what the first CD was, and if I could it would no doubt be embarrassing. After being given a record player for Christmas by my girlfriend (now wife) in 2006 I went out and bought the soundtrack from 2001 A Space Odyssey which has been a hugely important musical influence throughout my life.
Dave England
MUSICAL NOTES
What do you do for PMZ?
I coordinate PMZ’s events throughout the year, including our Summer Singalong in Devonport Park and Tea, Tinsel & Tonsils, as well as supporting people in the community to raise funds for the wonderful work PMZ gets to do. I’m also a Music Leader with the lovely Sensory Sounds group.
Do you play any instruments?
My main instrument is the piano, which I’ve played since I was 10. Since working at PMZ I have mastered three chords on the guitar (!) and although I wasn’t born to sing, I give it ago – albeit for the encouragement of others!
What musical instrument would best describe you and why?
As a lover of 80’s music (my childhood!) I’d have to say a good old synthesizer! Axel F anyone??
What has music done for you in your life?
Music has supported me through every possible emotion from the saddest to the happiest times. It has helped to build my confidence and to express myself.
What’s the best bit about working at PMZ?
Seeing the genuine difference PMZ’s work makes to people’s lives. I’m so proud to be a part of the team.
What’s the first record/CD you ever bought?
I remember buying the first Now That’s What I Call Music album on cassette or possibly a Bucks Fizz record!
Paul White
MUSICAL NOTES
What do you do for PMZ?
I am a music leader, at the moment working mainly with older people and with teenagers.
Do you play any instruments?
I sing and play guitar.
What musical instrument would best describe you as a person?
The Kazoo. It’s cheap, simple and makes people laugh.
What has music done for you in your life?
So much! It has brought friendship, creativity and masses of fun.
And with my band I get to make a lot of noise!
What’s the best bit about working at PMZ?
When you have a breakthrough moment with someone and you see their face light up. I call it ‘switching on light bulbs’. ‘Music making a difference’, and it’s great to be part of a team of like-minded people who are all so very different.
What’s the first record/CD you ever bought?
David Bowie – Space Oddity
Paul Lacey
MUSICAL NOTES
What do you do for PMZ?
I am a PMZ Music Leader who specialises in rap and beatboxing.
Do you play any instruments?
I like to bang the drums.
What musical instrument would best describe you and why?
The drums because I’m loud and made up of a lot of sections.
What has music done for you in your life?
Music has given me the tools and craft to express myself.
What’s the best bit about working at PMZ?
Being part of an awesome and talented team who are all passionate about music of all types.
What’s the first record/CD you ever bought?
I bought two on the same day, MJ – Bad and N.W.A Straight Outta Compton
Josie Newton
MUSICAL NOTES
What do you do for PMZ?
I was previously a music leader where I worked with Early Years, Refugee groups and SEND music making. I am currently now back working in Early Years music making.
Do you play any instruments?
I’m a guitarist, a singer and dabble on the keyboard and laptop to create my own music. My main focus as a musician is songwriting and being creative!
What musical instrument would best describe you and why?
My Sandpiper guitar is the best match for me, because it looks delicate and almost fragile but can create a bigger and brighter sound than expected. I have never played another guitar that emulates so well, the message and sound that I am trying to put out there.
What has music done for you in your life?
Music has made my life. It has led me in every direction I have ever gone in. Music has supported me when I’ve needed it and it’s inspired me to be a better musician and a better person. Music has also led me to find and create unforgettable memories with the most important people in my life.
What’s the best bit about working at PMZ?
I truly believe that music can help support people in so many different ways and PMZ is the epitome of that. I feel lucky to have gone from being a participant to an apprentice to a music leader. And it’s truly wonderful to have gone away to study music to return to such a friendly community of people.
What’s the first record/CD you ever bought?
I remember using my pocket money to purchase All Saints- Never Ever on CD which would be the first CD I ever bought myself. Embarrassingly so, the first CD bought for me was Mr Blobby’s single. Can’t beat being a kid in the 90s!
Jodie Saunders
MUSICAL NOTES
What do you do for PMZ?
I currently work across various musical projects with children, teenagers and young adults. Community Music has brought me into contact with so many wonderful and creative people and it is humbling to join the PMZ team as a music leader.
Do you play any instruments?
I play piano but also like to experiment with instruments which are completely unfamiliar. I also love to pay attention to ‘found sounds’ and listen to and recreate sounds in the environment and city like rain, birdsong and trains.
What musical instrument would best describe you as a person?
If there was such a thing as a mash-up of a harp and a drum-machine, I’d like to be that. Calm and gentle but also fun and up for dancing.
What has music done for you in your life?
Music has always been part of the fabric of my life and has sound-tracked the ebb and flow of all experiences. It is essential.
What’s the best bit about working at PMZ?
I am passionate about music and believe strongly that everyone should have the opportunity to explore their musicality with hands-on experience. This resonates with the ethos of PMZ. I like it when a participant surprises us all by going beyond their supposed limitations.
What’s the first record/CD you ever bought?
It must have been Spice Girls on cassette tape. Zig-a-zig-ah!
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.
