Joanna Cassey
Joanna has worked in education throughout her professional career in school leadership roles, as Director of Education in a number of local authorities and as a senior civil servant at the Department for Education.
Joanna is currently the Managing Director of Cognus Limited, a Local Authority-Traded Company that provides a range of education services for the London Borough of Sutton. She is responsible for the strategic direction and day-to-day operations of the company.
Despite being a “lapsed violinist”, Joanna is a passionate advocate for the creative arts and the importance of ensuring music is readily accessible to and enjoyable for children and young people.
Ian Comfort
Ian is an educationalist and lawyer. He has extensive experience in the management and direction of education services gained as a local authority director of education, chief executive of a large academy trust and an adviser, nationally and internationally.
As a lawyer, he currently chairs professional conduct tribunals for a range of occupations and sits as an employment judge and judge of the first tier tribunal.
Alongside his professional practice, Ian is actively involved in direct work with children, young people and communities. He chairs the multi-award winning Ebony Steelband; the Carnival Village Trust, a national portfolio organisation for the Arts Council responsible for the Tabernacle arts centre in Notting Hill; and the Notting Hill Carnival, Europe’s largest street festival.
Adrienne Roberts
Adrienne has had a long connection with the music service since 1996 with her daughter in Young Musicians String Group (YMSG) and Sutton Youth Symphony Orchestra (SYSO), and was chair of the Sutton Youth Music Supporters Association (SYMSA) for around 6 years.
She is also a member of the Sutton Music Trust Hub Advisory Board, initially as the Arts Network Sutton vice chair and community link.
With a strong background in Secondary education teaching art and a ceramic artist working with community groups, Adrienne supports the many benefits and importance of music education and the arts for children’s learning, enjoyment and inspiration.
Martin Jones
Martin Jones is an Executive Head Teacher, leading an infant school, a junior school, and a primary school. His lifelong interest in music began in nursery, where he was captivated by a teacher who played the piano and guitar and sang for the class.
Although somewhat of an amateur musician, Martin enjoys playing the piano, and has also turned his hand to the organ and trumpet in the past.
Martin has been accompanying his school’s infant choir for over 20 years, and has taken them to perform in the Royal Albert Hall, Royal Festival Hall and Birmingham Symphony Hall on many occasions.
With extensive experience in education, he is committed to removing barriers to ensure that all children have access to high-quality musical opportunities and education.
Elinor Thomas
Elinor has been involved with Sutton Music Trust (SMT) for some years, playing clarinet in Sutton Youth Wind Orchestra before switching to baritone sax.
She is also a keen singer, pianist, and organist, and has been known to dabble in percussion. She is planning to study music at university and then see where that takes her – at the moment, she’s thinking conducting or some form of teaching.
In addition to her trustee work, she is the Chair of SMT’s Youth Forum and is enjoying the glimpse into the world of music education and charities that she is gaining from her active role in SMT.
