Trustees
I am involved in the DIY grassroots music community through Divine Schism (shows and label) and WeGotTickets (ticketing), working with a variety of artists, promoters and venues around the UK and beyond. As a YWMP trustee I use my passion, knowledge and people skills to help the team with events, fundraising ideas and in turn help raise awareness for the charity as much as possible through my own work.
Aiden
Bryony
As Treasurer, I bring extensive financial expertise as well as a passion for music and education to YWMP. With a solid background in senior finance roles and a strong commitment to empowering women, I ensure the financial health and sustainability of the charity. I find immense joy in being part of a team that makes a tangible difference in the lives of these young women, fostering their creativity and self-expression through music.
Jess
As a trustee, I aim to advocate for YWMP in the various networks I am involved in across the city and beyond. I am currently Music Studio Manager at the Music Faculty, University of Oxford, where I teach various aspects of composition, music production and engineering. Before this I have been lucky to have had a long career working in the music industry. I also curate a collaborative performance series with Modern Art Oxford.
Dan
Melissa
I've been active in rights based youth & community work in Oxfordshire for many years. I’m an informal educator and mum to 5 children. My current role is the Flo's communities manager as well as being a freelance consultant to organisations such as African Families in the UK. I was previously the Chair of Leys CDI and the sunrise multicultural project in Banbury.
In my journey as an early childhood consultant, I’ve discovered a profound truth: children move to a rhythm of their own choreography, a melody that echoes the heartbeat of life itself. This rhythm is the key to creating therapeutic spaces that not only nurture children but also inspire educators. When we design with the child’s well-being at the forefront, we create a symphony of growth and learning that resonates with everyone involved. YWMP inspires me to take this understanding and using it to create therapeutic spaces that support wellbeing for all.
Christine
I joined as a trustee after taking part in a course delivered by YWMP. I got to see, first-hand, YWMP's work and its value for communities in Oxford. Being immersed in the city's cultural scene, I aim to bring more attention, opportunities and longevity to YWMP and its wonderful initiatives.
Sammara
Rowan
I grew up in Byron Bay, Australia, before moving to Oxford in 2015. I was lucky enough to have incredible community music initiatives when I was a teenager and know first-hand how projects like YWMP can support young people to develop lifelong skills – creativity, teamwork, organisation, independence – not to mention an enduring appreciation for local art. In my day job, I'm a mental health researcher and community worker for LGBTQ+ youth in the south of England. I am honoured to bring my experience to the YWMP trustee board as a new member for 2024.
Having long admired the work of YWMP, as a trustee I endeavour to support and nurture the sense of community care that creates the foundation of such a fantastic organisation. As director of the Cowley Community Closet, I’ve been inspired by the sense of cohesion and love in East Oxford and am nothing short of ecstatic to get further involved in the kinship of our neighbourhood. In my day to day I study medicine with the goal of practising holistic psychiatric care; which will hopefully involve the power of music to unite us and still restlessness.
Connie
I moved to Oxford to study my MFA at The Ruskin School of Art, University of Oxford in 2016 and I am a current lecturer and Subject Coordinator for the Oxford Brookes University Fine Art BA. From 2019 – 2022 I led the City as Studio programme at Modern Art Oxford. As a YWMP trustee, I wish to use my experience using DIY methods of making as practicing artist, musician (Shake Chain/ Rainham Sheds/ Orange Dance Group) curator and educator to help make live events happen, share resources and connect people and opportunities to embolden young people to reach their full potential.
Kate
I am a co-founder and co-editor of The Cowley Rag, a local zine celebrating creativity and community. Having been a young person who benefited from YWMP, I know how transformative inclusive spaces can be in building confidence and self-expression. As part of YWMP's Safer Spaces Steering Committee, I’m passionate about making grassroots music venues safer and more accessible for all. Joining the board of trustees, I’m excited to bring my energy and commitment to help YWMP continue creating a welcoming and inspiring community for young women and gender-queer people in their musical and creative expression.
Eva
As a trustee, I’m fortunate to support YWMP in making space for care, creativity, and community in Oxford’s historically narrow and inequitable music scene and beyond. In my day job, I work in the aid and development sector on protection against sexual exploitation and abuse, where my approach is informed by survivor-led and intersectional feminist lenses.
