I joined Mindful Music in 2016 as the charity was being formed. I spent 32 years working in schools in Bradford, Leeds, Norfolk, Norwich and East Sussex. As teacher and later a headteacher, I tried to focus on a holistic approach to education valuing relationships as well as results. I now work part-time at Canterbury Christ Church as a lecturer in educational leadership teaching and conducting research and also part-time as an independent consultant. Both roles involve a good deal of international as well as UK-based work. I am also on the Board of “Human Scale Education”. All of these experiences have convinced me of the value of the Mindful Music’s approach to education.

Kasia joined Mindful Music at the beginning of 2020 as Treasurer, inspired by the work MM and the whole team do to improve children's wellbeing, helping them to feel seen, able and appreciated. Kasia has a master's degree in strategic business management and accounting from University of Lodz, Poland, however she has been involved in the fields of non-formal education, European youth work and social change since 2012 facilitating learning processes and managing projects. In the UK she has worked with ASHA Foundation, Phoenix Education Trust, Leonard Cheshire and BUD-Lead Positive Change.  She is a mindfulness practitioner, embodied learning educator and environmentalist, loves music and dancing. In her free time she plays drums, bakes bread and grows tomatoes.

Anna grew up in Wiltshire and was inspired by her school teachers. This is one of the factors leading her to enjoy her education and to now be working at The Goldstar Federation as Assistant Head Teacher with responsibility for Arts since September 2016. Anna attended Durham University, studying Combined Arts: History of Art, Theology and Politics. In her spare time, she enjoys travelling (Kenya and Italy are amongst her favourite destinations); she sits on the board of the charity Human Scale Education; she enjoys running, yoga and cooking and eating healthily; she enjoys Arts and theatre productions as often as possible; she loves to read and spend time with her partner, family and friends. 

Head of St. Paul’s Whitechapel CE Primary School, Darren has worked in education for his whole career basing himself in primary  schools in Islington and Tower Hamlets. He has worked at St. Paul’s Whitechapel for 15 years now working in the leadership team that transformed the school from serious weaknesses to its current outstanding status. Hobbies include travelling cooking and playing the guitar.