About Us

EJ is passionate about supporting individuals and organisations to reach their full potential.

Starting at the grassroots as a community theatre practitioner, EJ has worked in the Arts and Cultural sector, both in the UK and internationally, moving from programme delivery to leadership.

EJ was formerly Executive Director of the Manchester Jazz Festival, London Programme Manager for Creative & Cultural Skills, UK Programme Director for The School of Life and Director of Projects for Almeida Theatre.

Most recently EJ has been dedicated to supporting creative organisations to be more entrepreneurial, sustainable, and resilient in the face of challenging financial times. As a creative business coach, consultant and mentor, she supports organisations to grow and change in a number of ways.

As the parent of a child with additional needs, she is excited to join the OmniMusic team and bring the benefits of our work to more families like her own.

Pronouns: she/her

Holly, an Artist, Arts Facilitator, and Creative Producer, is fuelled by creativity, inclusivity, and ambition. Operating globally, Holly is committed to creating safe spaces and advocating for equal arts access. Collaborating with organisations like Brighter Sound and the Roundhouse, Holly has received support from the PRS Foundation and Arts Council and is eager to contribute to Omni’s work.

Pronouns: she/her

Molly loves working with teams of creatives to create exciting and inclusive projects for people who wouldn’t usually access them; as she understands the wealth of benefits that quality creative programmes have on an individual’s wellbeing and growth.

Molly has worked as project coordinator and has volunteered in arts organisations across Greater Manchester and is excited to be working with OmniMusic to help realise the organisation’s programmes and contribute to creating wonderful music making experiences with participants.

Pronouns: she/her

Chris Ball is a Manchester-based freelance creative technologist. He works to facilitate the use of technology within the arts, and has completed projects with both local and international artists requiring skills in electronics, programming, interaction, design and fabrication.

He began his professional journey making new and unusual MIDI interfaces for musical performance – mostly in his spare time.

Pronouns: he/him

Sam began working as a virtual assistant with Clear Day VA Agency in November 2019, soon becoming their social media manager after honing her skills whilst working with clients, and through social media and content creation courses with EnterprisingYou. She particularly loves capturing a client’s unique tone of voice for social media content. She also conducts social media audits and strategy, mostly working with small businesses in the service-based sector. After a year as the Business Manager for Clear Day, Sam is now their Marketing Manager, enabling more strategic marketing of the agency.

Sam lives in Sale, Greater Manchester with her two children. She loves to knit and garden as well as travelling and watching live music.

Pronouns: she/her

Sarah is a freelance finance manager with over thirty years’ experience. She helps a range of charities and small businesses with their bookkeeping, payroll and finance admin.

Pronouns: she/her

Alan Wells is a music therapist with a keen interest in songwriting, improvisation and music technology. He has experience working with adults and children in a wide range of settings including SEN schools, care homes and mental health units. He advocates for the use of music to establish meaningful connections with those affected by illness, disability, poverty and exclusion.

Pronouns: he/him

Kris Gjerstad is a professional turntablist and workshop leader with many years of experience. He specialises in delivering high quality workshop sessions to groups of any age and ability using music technology.

Pronouns: he/him

G is a music teacher specialising in electronics.

Pronouns: he/him

Ellis is a guitarist, songwriter, and music educator who has been based in Manchester for 20 years. His band Honeyfeet are regulars on the festival circuit, as well as playing live venues around the world. He is passionate about making music accessible to all.

Pronouns: he/him

Adrian has been in education since the mid eighties starting as a music teacher at inner city schools in Leeds. His specialism in music technology led to stints as an advisory teacher, FE and HE lecturer, examiner and FE head of department in the North East.

Breaking from teaching in 2000 Adrian then concentrated on qualification design, education policy, management and skills, working for both large and small awarding bodies and for a sector skills council. He continues to advocate the benefits of the wider curriculum and the opportunities that can be brought through technology.

Pronouns: he/him

Mark is a businessman in the legal, medical technology and education technology sectors. As a solicitor and entrepreneur, Mark brings considerable business and corporate governance experience to the Board of Trustees at OmniMusic.

Mark’s late brother, Daniel, had additional needs. One of the joys of Daniel’s life was to perform music and dance in a group. Mark will strive always to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to play, sing, dance and be merry.

Mark Rowland is a graduate from the University of Chester. He is a musician, DJ and advocate of Assistive Music Technology.

He has worked on collaborative projects using innovative music technology with artists and projects including Jools Holland and Bonnie Tyler through the Drake Music project, DJ Fresh, Smirnoff Mindtunes and musician development at Valley Community Theatre.

Pronouns: he/him

Tom Northey is an experienced arts consultant. He works with artists and arts organisations on fundraising and development projects.

Pronouns: he/him

Isabel has been supporting social organisations for over ten years. She specialises in organisational and business development with a special focus on social impact and financial sustainability. An amateur musician, Isabel loves working with groups and organisations using arts and culture to drive social change.

Pronouns: she/her

Phill Howley is a professional musician, arts consultant, and facilitator with 25 years of experience. He specialises in working a diverse range of settings, utilising music as a tool for empowerment and expression. As the Director of Howley Creative Development, he champions inclusivity and creativity, partnering with organisations like Youth Music and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic to nurture the next generation of creatives.

Pronouns: he/him