GET TO KNOW US
Meet the team
ROSIE RUSHTON
Director
Rosie is a specialist in music provision for individuals with additional needs. Collaborating in projects with numerous schools, charities and local communities throughout the Midlands alongside organisations including, Manchester Camerata, MENCAP, Action for Children and Autism Concern.
Rosie graduated from The University of Birmingham with a Masters of Education in Severe, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties and Birmingham Conservatoire with a BMus (Hons) in Performance. Shortlisted for the National Association of Special Educational Needs (NASEN) Inspirational Teacher of the Year Award (2018), she is now supported by ESRC for her PhD studies; Music, Play and Learning Difficulties.
JENNY
Co-Facilitator
Jenny has vast experience in working with children and young people with additional needs and is a specialist in working within the Early Years and Foundation Stages (EYFS). Jenny trained at Birmingham Conservatoire (BMus, MMus) and the Centre for Research in Early Childhood (CME Early Years). Jenny co-delivers weekly sessions at The Orchard Special School.
Wearing other hats Jenny works as the Learning and Participation Co-coordinator at Birmingham Contemporary Music Group and is the co-director of the charity Melody.
EMILY
Co-Facilitator
Emily is a graduate of Birmingham Conservatoire, a volunteer with Melody Music Birmingham and works on the In Harmony social mobility project based in Telford. She has experience working with children and young people with complex needs.
Emily is currently c0-leading the Big Top Band, Sandwell.
DALMA
Co-Facilitator
Dalma is a recent graduate of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, where she studied opera and specialised in music education. After her studies, Dalma worked with Welsh National Opera as a vocal animateur intern and developed an interest in music-making that is accessible for all ages and abilities. This interest led Dalma to Big Top where she enjoys sharing music with young people with PMLD. As well as her love of music education, Dalma also performs regularly with Birmingham based chamber opera group: Infinite Opera, singing science inspired contemporary music and exploring improvisation.
Dalma is working on our partnership project with SIPS Education, Sensory Singing, and on our Big Top multi-sensory days at schools and settings across the West Midlands!
ABBIE
Co-Facilitator
Abbie is a graduate of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire where she studied classical saxophone.
Through volunteering with Melody, Abbie gained an interest in making music with people with additional needs, leading her to specialise in community music and pedagogy. Abbie gained a place on the Musicate Programme with Cheltenham Festivals, where she provides music workshops in SEN schools and helps to organise their Relaxed Concert for Schools. Abbie is passionate about the creative, communicative and interactive opportunities music making provides!
Abbie currently supports our partnership with SIPS Education - Music & Arts, delivering music in Sandwell schools, and is co-leading our Big Top Band sessions.
HELEN
Operations Coordinator
Originally from the Scottish Borders, Helen begun her education at the University of Edinburgh, life took an unusual turn when she began caring for a terminally ill parent. This led her to embrace a career in social care and it has been a passion for many years. Helen has had the privilege to work for Scottish Borders Council and Social Services, as well as many charity projects providing care and education for children and adults with profound and multiple learning and physical disabilities.
Helen spent 3 years living and working in Italy where she taught English and was involved with volunteer work supporting primarily African refugees. This compounded her love of travel, culinary delights, language and people! The experience led to other volunteer-based adventures in the Belizean jungle and Trinidad and Tobago.
Helen manages the day-to-day operations of Big Top and makes sure all our musical adventures can take place!