The parents of the Kanneh-Mason children will now serve on the Music Masters board
Music Masters has announced that Kadiatu and Stuart Kanneh-Mason - parents of the seven Kanneh-Mason children - have joined its board of trustees.
Dr Kadiatu, a former university lecturer, and Stuart, a business executive will now serve on the Music Masters board.
Victoria Robey, Founder-Director and Simon Freakley, Chair of Trustees, says: ‘We are delighted to announce the appointment of Stuart Mason and Dr Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason as our newest Trustees. Whilst long part of the Music Masters family through the ambassadorial roles held by their children Sheku and Isata, we are thrilled to welcome Stuart and Kadiatu onto the Board where their direct involvement will significantly benefit and strengthen our work. As individuals, they each bring considerable individual skill, perspective and energy to Music Masters drawing on backgrounds in business and higher education. Together, they share a deep passion for and commitment to providing access to music education. Their experience as non-musician parents who have supported seven exceptionally musically talented children through state education makes them remarkable role models for parents and schools everywhere, including those with whom Music Masters works every day.’
Watch Sheku Kanneh-Mason’s parents on raising confident black classical musicians
Read London Music Masters names first organisations signed up to diversity audit tool
Read Six composers of colour to write new pieces to be performed by 24 orchestras
Kadiatu comments: ‘As someone who benefitted hugely from the music education I had free access to at a state comprehensive school in South Wales, I am passionate that music- instrument learning, participation in music making, listening and hearing about music – should be a fundamental part of state education in the U.K. Without the opportunities I had, I could not have introduced our own children to music learning or recognised the importance of music for everyone. I am delighted to have the opportunity to be part of this inspiring organisation and I look forward to helping in the vital mission of Music Masters.’
Stuart says: ‘In the Nottingham state schools our children attended, music was central to the curriculum, available for every child and part of the school. I have witnessed the results of that policy of inclusion with our own children, all of whom are classical musicians or studying music to an advanced level. However, the lack of diversity in classical music and the growing numbers of children from less privileged backgrounds who are denied access to music education points to a crisis which I see Music Masters addressing with creative energy, effective strategies and commitment. I am thrilled to have the chance to join an organisation that is passionate about inclusion, access and diversity in music education.’
No comments yet