Common Ground: Music workshops for refugees and asylum seekers

Dr Elizabeth Haddon SFHEA, LRSM is a Reader in Music, School of Arts and Creative Technologies at the University of York, UK, where she created the MA Music Education: Instrumental and Vocal Teaching. Her research includes two co-edited volumes on creativity, and articles on the music masterclass, hidden learning, learning across cultures, wellbeing, and partnership in piano duet playing. Forthcoming publications include an edited volume on instrumental pedagogy (Bloomsbury 2025) and chapters for the Oxford Handbook of Piano Pedagogy (2025). 

Dr Federico Pendenza AFHEA is an Associate Lecturer in Music, School of Arts and Creative Technologies at the University of York, UK. Holding a BA and MA in Classical Guitar Performance and an MA and PhD in Music Education from the University of York, he combines his expertise as a performer and teacher to understand the intersections of music, well-being, pedagogy, and community. His PhD research focused on the perceptions of the Alexander Technique in UK Higher Education music institutions, leading to an article titled "Views on Alexander Technique among UK Higher Education Music Students: Understandings, Benefits, and Challenges", published in the International Journal of Music, Health, and Wellbeing in September 2024. Upcoming publications include three collaborative chapters in the volume Instrumental Music Education (Bloomsbury, 2025, edited by Dr Elizabeth Haddon).

Dr Marianna Cortesi AFHEA is an Associate Lecturer in Music, School of Arts and Creative Technologies at the University of York, UK. Marianna studied at the Conservatorio di Musica “G. B. Martini” in Bologna, Italy, where she gained a BA(Hons) degree in Piano performance. In 2017 she moved to York where she completed the MA in Music Education: Instrumental and Vocal Teaching at the University of York, and subsequently furthered her studies with a PhD. Her article on the impact of competition on music students’ mental health is published in the International Journal of Music, Health, and Wellbeing, and forthcoming publications include two collaborative chapters in the volume Instrumental Music Education (Bloomsbury, 2025, edited by Dr Elizabeth Haddon).

Bethan Kelly is a community musician and classroom music teacher based in North Yorkshire. Fuelled by fig rolls, fun songs, friends, and family, she loves to share the joy of music-making with whoever wants to get involved. Currently, she works with all ages and stages from the early years group, First Steps, at York music centre, to directing the York-based community choir, Cantar and facilitating weekly community singing groups in care homes and community centres around York. Bethan plays the viola when she can and loves a singsong with friends (especially when combined with a walk!)

Laura Sutcliffe is a community music facilitator, freelance musician, and writer. She is a graduate of the University of York BA Music (Hons) course and is one of this year's four grant holders from the Alan Surtees Trust which enables her to produce her latest album and poetry collection. She toured with the National Youth Folk Ensemble from 2018-19 and has since been performing her own work as well as in her duos, Weaver and Wood and Evelings.