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The Able Orchestra team

Able Orchestra (AO) is produced by Inspire Youth Arts and brought to life by a Creative Team of professional musicians and artists. The project is also supported by freelance experts in communications, marketing, and evaluation.

Find out more about the team below:

Rebecca Streets, Inspire Youth Arts Manager

Megan Dawes, Creative Producer

The AO Creative Team includes professional artists with specialisms in music making, production and live performance, and digital creatives with a range of innovative digital skills.

AO Musical Directors:

Tom Shawcroft, AO Ensemble North Musical Director

Tom has been creating his own music since he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as a teenager - it’s always been a way of coping. Since then, he’s been exploring music as a form of expression and exploring the positive impact creating music can have on anyone's life.

Ben Trekkah, AO Ensemble South Musical Director


AO Digital Creatives:

Natasha Poland, AO Ensembles Digital Creative

Hi! I'm Natasha, a freelance animator and illustrator. I provide creative services for businesses, charities, community groups and individuals – including 2D animation for film, social media, events and projection-mapping; illustration, storyboards, comics, concept art and character design; visual arts and music workshop facilitation, branding, marketing and print design, and more!


Zoe Shum, AO Ensembles Digital Creative

Zoe is a Hong Kong-born visual designer, filmmaker and artist with a background in fine art. She works with multimedia to tell contemporary stories through accessible and engaging digital mediums, ranging from animation to immersive installation. She holds an MA in Digital Direction from the Royal College of Art, London.


AO Lead Artists/Mentors (Pioneers):

Kris Halpin

Nicci Craig


AO Support artists:

Natalie Morrison, AO Ensemble North Support Artist

Natalie is a HCPC registered music therapist and a qualified primary school teacher. She currently works as a music therapist with children and young adults with SEN and PMLD in a range of settings including SEN schools, day centres and client homes. Natalie is excited to support Able Orchestra North!


Catherine Smith, AO Ensemble South Support Artist


Taster / School Artists:


Tom Bacon

Jaysika Dennis, AO Communications and Marketing Lead

Neil Farally, AO Evaluator