Cathy Grant
Chief Executive Officer

Cathy leads the Foundation’s operations from our York base. Working with the Trustees, Cathy advises on the Foundation’s strategy and development. In previous roles Cathy has co-ordinated York’s Inclusive Music Project, has worked for a national children’s charity and has board level experience in two companies.

Passionate about providing accessible music opportunities, Cathy has worked with musicians, artists, schools, festivals and community groups to provide a year-round programme of choirs, events and performances.

Natalie McKeown
Head of Development and Engagement

Natalie leads on the fundraising activities of the Foundation. Her experience includes 12 years at a nationally-recognised grants fundraising consultancy, as well as leadership of communications at a tech start-up and 5 years on the Board of Directors at a local social enterprise. A graduate of the Glasgow School of Art, Natalie is passionate about the role of the arts in place-shaping and social inclusion, and supporting the Foundation to make an impact in this arena.

Caroline Needham
Admin and Events Officer

Caroline provides administrative support from our York base. She helps to promote the charity and manages administration, events, communications, and our social media. She is the first point of contact for our schools, donors, supporters and delivery partners.

A proficient pianist and music graduate, Caroline is particularly keen on developing the Foundation’s inclusive music-making offer through extracurricular activities and partnerships with local providers.

Josh Cadman & Alice Cadman
Delivery Partners

Josh and Alice, graduates of the Royal Northern College of Music, founded Sing Education in 2014, bringing the transformative power of music to 9,000 children in London.

The aims and ethos of Sing Education match those of the Foundation, and we have engaged Sing Education as delivery partners on our schools programme.

Founding Patrons

  • Michael was one of the Foundation’s founding Trustees and, since retiring from the role of Chairman at the end of 2024, remains a supporter and patron for the charity.

  • Ron was one of the Foundation’s founding Trustees and, since retiring as a Trustee at the end of 2024, remains a supporter and patron for the charity.

Our Patrons

  • One of Britain’s foremost conductors, Sir Mark is a longstanding friend of Richard Shephard since their time at Cambridge University.

  • Phillip is an innovative theatre director with a passion for bringing music and drama to wider audiences. He directed the 2016 York Mystery Plays.

  • Born in Liverpool in 1986, mezzo-soprano Kathryn Rudge completed her studies at the Royal Northern College of Music in 2010. She was a BBC Radio 3 New Generation artist from 2015-17, an ENO Young Artist and a YCAT Artist (Young Classical Artists Trust) between 2010-13. She has won numerous awards, including the MBF Sybil Tutton Award, the Bridgitte Fassbaender Award, the Joyce and Michael Kennedy Strauss Award, the RPS Susan Chilcott Scholarship and the Kathleen Ferrier Bursary, Merseyside Woman of the Year Arts Award and Kathryn was appointed as an RNCM Honorary Associate Artist in 2020.

  • Leeds-born Al Doyle is the guitarist and synthesiser player for British indie electronic band Hot Chip and American rock band LCD Soundsystem. He is also a founding member of British electronic band New Build. 

Our Trustees

  • Richard is the Foundation’s Chair of Trustees. A retired solicitor, Richard brings extensive charity trustee experience. He lives in York and is passionate about music and education.

  • A leading UK soprano, Lynne is Head of the School of  Vocal Studies and Opera at the Royal Northern College of Music.

  • A former Minster School pupil and music scholar, and now a Partner at Headland Consultancy, Edward was Corporate Communications Director for Tesco.

  • David is a former Cathedral Organist and Director of a regional keyboard studies programme. He’s Musical Director of York Musical Society, and Organist of Huddersfield Town Hall.

  • A former Cathedral Chorister and Lay Clerk. James lives in York and is currently Finance Director for LNER.

  • Andrea is an ex headteacher and local authority adviser in North Yorkshire who has a passion for the importance of a school curriculum that helps children participate in things that broaden their experiences in life.

Make a donation today and make a difference to thousands of children in Yorkshire and beyond