Music Hub Board

Stewart is director and CEO of the De La Warr Pavilion (DLWP) Charitable Trust, with a 30 year career in cultural organisations, including the Museum of London and Crafts Council. He has established DLWP as a major music venue on the live circuit. Stewart also played a key part in the establishment of OUTLANDS, the national experimental music network representing diverse organisations – from ‘NPO to DIY’, including Fat Out, Supersonic Festival, Fuse, KARST and MK Gallery. The network is now an Arts Council England funded client in its own right.

Chris Stones is currently Director of Community and Education at the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and a Create Music Board Member. He has extensive experience in learning and engagement in the fields of music and opera, not least from his various roles at Glyndebourne between 2013 and 2023.

As the Assistant Director for Education and Skills in West Sussex Claire is keen to ensure there is a link to the local authority. She also wants to foster a love for learning and creativity in students. She believes it is important to offer enriching experiences that cater to a diverse range of learners, promote inclusivity, and emphasise the development of artistic and academic skills.

Duncan led the PGCE in Secondary Music at the University of Sussex for 21 years and prior to this was a secondary classroom music teacher in West Sussex. He was a member of the Department for Education National Curriculum Expert Subject Advisory Group for Music and his research with Dr. Ally Daubney into changes in Secondary Music curriculum provision in schools in England has been widely cited. Though he has now retired from University, he continues to be active in Music Education (including Jazz in Education UK) and is an Honorary Senior Lecturer in Education. Musically, he plays trumpet in a big band and sings in Brighton Festival Chorus.

Ebou Touray is the CEO of African Night Fever, He has a passion for disseminating and increasing the awareness of African & African Caribbean cultures and heritage in the UK, with a focus on music. Ebou’s passion for African Music led him to co-found ANF 20 years ago. African Night Fever is one of the leading contributors and programmers within the world music sector in the UK.

Erin is an undergraduate student reading Music at Oxford University and former student of Create Music. She received music lessons through the hub from aged 6 and participated in ensembles, music tours and many concerts during her time there, as well as volunteering at ensembles for younger students. She is interested in all aspects of (mainly classical) music performance at university, from violin or clarinet playing to singing and conducting, though she also enjoys coming back to sit on the board for Create Music. Erin doesn't know exactly what she will do with her career yet, but thinks the next step will probably be a postgraduate degree in either musicology or music therapy.

Imogen studied Music at the University of Manchester before embarking on a career in arts administration, initially within orchestras before moving into opera. In March 2025 she joined Dutch National Opera in Amsterdam, heading up all their collaborative productions, co-productions, and co-commissions working with partners and opera companies both the Netherlands and internationally. Prior to moving to Amsterdam, Imogen spent 6 years living in Brighton whilst working as a Producer for Opera Holland Park.

Kenny is the Lead Teacher for Arts at Oak Grove College, where he oversees Music, Drama and Visual Arts, creating opportunities for students to perform, create and grow in confidence. He is passionate about the way the arts help young people communicate and express themselves. Through working in a special school setting he has seen how powerful creative learning can be in making education accessible and meaningful for every student. As a member of the Hub Board, he hopes to bring his experience in inclusive arts education to support opportunities for all young people to engage with the arts.

After graduating with an MA in Arts Administration and Cultural Policy at Goldsmiths College (University of London) Lucy started her career in arts education as the Scottish Chamber Orchestra Connect Director. She has been Head of Learning & Engagement at Glyndebourne since 2012. The award-winning programme supports people to discover opera, co-create new work, and provide opportunities to those who may not otherwise have them to develop their talent. During that time Lucy has also been Chair of RESEO (European Network of Opera, Music and Dance Education) and a governor of Ringmer Primary School.

Lynne is of British and Afro Caribbean heritage, and a parent of two children who are of mixed Afro Caribbean, British and African descent. Her sons are both on the Autistic Spectrum, but with differing abilities. As a former medical professional working with special needs children and adults, and also as a parent, she is passionately concerned about access to music. She has personal experience of how beneficial music is to the progress and well being of both mainstream and special needs children and adults.

Dr Marusa Levstek holds a PhD titled “Social Change Through Marginalised Young People’s Engagement with Inclusive Group Music-Making”, which was supported by Create Music (Brighton and Hove Music & Arts at the time of completion). Marusa's expertise lies in music education sector, EDI, community engagement and project evaluation. Marusa currently holds a role as a post-doctorate researcher with StoryFutures, Royal Holloway, University of London, applying her expertise to the development of new creative technologies.

Nicola is a parent to twin daughters who both play in the West Sussex Youth Orchestras and Urban Brass. She and her daughters play in Chichester City Band. Nicola is a nurse and works as a Clinical Services Lead for the Community at St Wilfrid's Hospice in Chichester. Through her job in the charitable sector she understands governance, fundraising, overseeing budgets, grant applications, networking and working collaboratively with community services. She believes music should be available equitably for all children and that it offers a lifelong skill, promotes confidence, encourages friendships and helps bring the community together.

Phil has been an Artist Manager since 1988 managing first The Levellers who achieved 1 Platinum and 5 Gold records with Phil and headlined the Glastonbury Festival before starting their own Beautiful Days Festival. He went on to manage The Longpigs, and current clients include Grammy and Ivor Novello winning Matt Hales/Aqualung, Duke Special and Sweet Billy Pilgrim. Phil was the Vice Chair of the Music Managers’ Forum from 1997-2007. He co-founded The Great Escape Festival and now runs the Education conference at TGE and Pathways Into Music with Chris Cooke. Phil is Principal Lecturer for the MA in Popular Music Practice at BIMM University, London. He is a lapsed bassoonist.

As a Secondary School Headteacher, Shelley sees first-hand the benefits of music and creativity to all students. As someone involved in education and governance across Brighton & Hove and East Sussex for over 20 years, she has always championed music and continues to be an advocate for music for all.