Meet the team

Welcome to our team page!

Here, you'll get to know the passionate individuals behind our organisation. Each member brings a unique blend of skills and personality, contributing to the vibrant ensemble that is our organisational culture. From the creative minds that craft our products and services to the strategic thinkers that guide our vision, meet the people who make it all happen.

Executive Leadership Team
Music Leadership Team
Regional Managers
Regional Development Leads

Executive Leadership Team

The executive leadership team is responsible for setting Hertfordshire Music Service's strategic vision and ensuring that it is implemented effectively across the organisation. We make high-level decisions that affect the company's direction, manage overall operations and resources, and act as the main point of communication between the board members and Hertfordshire County Council. Our aim is to create policies and strategies that ensure all Hertfordshire’s children and young people, regardless of background or circumstances, have the opportunity to discover or develop their unique musical voice and express themselves through the language of music.

Lisa Quinlan-Rahman

Chief Executive Officer

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Ben Stevens

Music Director

Following a successful scholarship audition to study cello at the Purcell School of Music and the Royal College of Music as a Sir John Ackroyd Scholar, I went on to perform regularly with many of the UK’s professional orchestras and West End shows.

As my joy of teaching developed and following success in various roles at several different music services, I joined Hertfordshire Music Service in 2019 as Music Director.

My passion and focus now is to bring world class musical opportunities to all young people in an accessible and inclusive way, and to enable everyone to discover their own unique musical ‘voice’.

I am a member of the Music Mark Advisory Committee as the East of England representative.

Michael Mabbitt

People, Culture and Business Development Director

I’m Michael, the Director of People, Culture and Business Development here at Hertfordshire Music Service. I’m privileged to band together with great colleagues and between us, our teams look after the People, Marketing, Communications, Business Development and Executive Support functions.

I’m a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) – the professional body for Human Resources (HR) and People Development.

I changed career in my mid-20’s and moved in to the People profession because I was driven to make a positive impact upon organisations and the way they operate. Most importantly, my aim is always to improve the experience at work of the people who are, in essence, the living heartbeat of their workplace.

I’ve been in this role with Hertfordshire Music Service since June 2019 and am very fortunate to have shared the stage with hundreds of talented colleagues along the way.

When I’m not at work I like getting out to experience live music when I can, and I love being outside for walks, running and spending as much time as possible with my two sons.

Jeff Clarkson

Head of Operations and Finance

I’m Jeff and I am Head of Operations and Finance.

My team and I look after all things finance related, such as invoicing and credit control, budgeting and reporting, and paying teachers and invoices for goods and services.

We also have a talented team that look after customer enquiries and support our teachers.

After a long career working for mainly US multinationals I wanted to work for an organisation that makes a positive impact on society, so I joined the Music Service permanently in February 2023, after contracting for a few months.

I am married with two grown up kids and my spare time I like going to live gigs, cooking, reading, watching rugby and walking our two dogs (preferably on the beach!)

Music Leadership Team

The music leadership team orchestrates the creative and logistical elements of musical performances and projects. They are responsible for contributing to and delivering the vision and direction for music programs. Their role is crucial in fostering a collaborative environment where young musicians can thrive and excel, ultimately leading to performances that resonate with audiences and leave a lasting impact.

HMS

Christina Luchies

Head of Participation and School Music

With 32 years of experience as a music teacher and school leader, I have worked in educational and cultural settings across four different countries.

I joined HMS as the Head of Stevenage Music Centre in 2015, where I led several inclusive, multigenerational family and community projects.

I'm a passionate advocate for equity in music education, my MA research explored the impact of music on the well-being and behaviour of adolescents in mainstream education.

Sean Law

Head of Musical Progession

I am a graduate of Birmingham Conservatoire, and am a Double Bass and Bass Guitar player who has a range of professional experience across both the performing and teaching sectors.

My career in music education began after graduating in 2013 and I was quick to realise I had a passion for supporting positive outcomes for children and young people involved in music making. As my education career developed, I found myself wanting to achieve an even greater impact and took a step into management, which has ultimately led me to my role as Head of Musical Progression for Hertfordshire Music Service.

I have a record of supporting my Double Bass students to high levels of achievement, with a number of former students having gained places and scholarships for study at conservatoires and universities, and some now professional musicians themselves. My teaching work has also included whole class tuition, ensemble conducting, and youth orchestra sectional coaching. In 2022 I was delighted to be invited to return to the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire to lead workshops as part of their Double Bass Day.

My performance portfolio has included performance work with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, The Who, and the Les Misérables UK Tour. My recording work includes albums with David Gibb, Jack McNeill & Charlie Heys, and The Conservatoire Folk Ensemble. I continue to be an active performer across a variety of genres, including in music for children and families with David Gibb, and in a pop-punk covers band.

In my spare time, I enjoy cooking, reading, and am always keen to explore new places around the world.

Regional Managers

Regional managers are schools first point of contact for all things Herts Music Service. Acting as a relationship manager who can improve communications and access to music provision at school.

We work to connect your school with your local musical community to increase the musical opportunities for children and young people. We will help staff to access support for music making via our local music support networks, help your school team with information about the new National Plan for Music Education, the Model Music Curriculum and also preparing for Ofsted ‘deep dives’ in music.

Tom Bunting

South Herts - Welwyn, Hatfield and Hertsmere

I am delighted to support your school as the Regional Manager for South Herts - Welwyn, Hatfield and Hertsmere.

I am passionate about making music and improving the lives and life chances of children and young people in the area, regardless of their background or circumstances.I have a great team of experienced colleagues working with me. I look forward to supporting your school in the way you need and helping your school’s students and staff access many inspiring opportunities in your local community and beyond to achieve our shared musical vision!

Peter Foster

East Herts and Broxbourne

I am very happy to be your Regional Manager for the East Herts & Broxbourne area. I want to enable all pupils to enjoy music making and develop their musical voice.

Every child should be given the opportunity to discover their musical voice and want to continue with music making after they leave school. By working together, as a musical family we can achieve this.I look forward to meeting with all schools and please don’t hesitate to contact me; I’ll be your first point of contact for all things musical.

Nyree O'Brien

West Herts - Dacorum, Watford and Three Rivers

I am delighted to be supporting schools in West Herts as the Regional Manager. There is a fantastic team of HMS teachers in West Herts and in partnership with our Community Development Leads, my colleague Kris Banks and I look forward to creating many new opportunities for schools to work with us.

We are also planning to bring schools together to celebrate music in West Herts, and share our work within the wider Hertfordshire community.

Sue Pettit

North Herts and Stevenage

Originally from Lancashire, I started working for Herts Music Service in 1991 as a general woodwind teacher specialising in clarinet. In my many years with the service, I have taught hundreds of pupils and conducted many ensembles.

I am looking forward to working with all the schools in the North Herts and Stevenage area, and helping to provide young people with high quality musical provision.

Regional Development Leads

Our team of Regional Development Leads work closely and collaboratively with the Regional Managers to support the continued delivery of high-quality musical provision and achieve the aims of the 'Musical Voices' vision. Regional Development Leads are subject specialists, using their variety of knowledge and expertise to support schools by delivering workshops, training and advice as part of our expanded school support programme.

Andrea Lee

Caz Wolfson

I am a percussionist, music educator and passionate advocate for inclusive music-making. I've been teaching music for over twenty years, across a wide range of sectors, engaging with participants aged 3 – 90. I have experience teaching individual and small group percussion lessons, delivering whole class and community workshops in samba drumming, South and West African drumming and dancing and Japanese Taiko drumming. I've run school, community and County-level ensembles, and facilitate drumming for wellbeing sessions for children, families and school staff as well as Creative Music Nurture Groups.

As a freelance percussionist, I have performed in major venues across the UK with ensembles and artists including Northern Sinfonia, the Karl Jenkins Festival Orchestra, comedian Bill Bailey and Blur’s bassist Alex Jones. I've been broadcast on Classic FM and BBC Radio 3 and my playing has taken me to Europe, Africa, Australia and India.

I graduated with a First Class degree in orchestral percussion from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, followed by a Masters in Advanced Instrumental Studies at the Guildhall School supported by the Leverhulme Trust and an MBF Music Education Award. After a period of freelance performing, teaching and workshop leading, I joined Hertfordshire Music Service in 2015.

Charlotte West

As the Vocal Development Lead for the county I have the pleasure of supporting teachers, schools and students for all related singing projects, development and training at Herts Music Service. My goal is to give every child and young person the opportunity to find their unique voice regardless of their ability and to have access to singing on their musical journey.

My role as Vocal Development Lead is to provide support and knowledge about the voice to ensure that high-quality, inclusive vocal provision is developed across the county. I will work collaboratively with you to empower your teachers and students and young people to work on a strategy that works for you and provide a safe space for singing.

I can help schools by:

working with your school to develop singing projects that can be sustainable increasing singing opportunities for students.
helping your staff access resources and develop singing as the ‘golden thread’ in the National Plan for Music Education and provide support to all teachers so that they have the knowledge to use these skills.
ensuring that the vocal provision provided meets high standards, providing professional advice and support to improve vocal knowledge and progression.
delivering workshops for teachers and student on any voice related topic such as vocal anatomy and development, vocal technique, vocal health, repertoire choices, Sing Up, performance anxiety and beyond.

If you have any questions about vocal development within your school, please do not hesitate to contact me or your regional manager. I look forward to supporting your school and keeping the singing community alive.

Kris Banks

Hi, I'm Kris and I am the Regional Development Lead for Dacorum.

I have spent time in other areas of the county, however, have spent the majority of my professional teaching career within the Dacorum region. Coming from a drumming background, I love to make as much noise as possible and have the most fun possible doing it. I have a real love for bringing my students and classes on this journey with me also.

My passion lies within the community and creating opportunities for all children within Hertfordshire to have access to and enjoy music as much as I do and am always thinking of new and exciting ideas to engage everyone from all backgrounds. If you would like to get involved, then feel free to drop me an email.

Lindsay Campbell

Matthew Hill

I have always had an affinity with music; I started playing the classical guitar at the age of seven before starting electric a few years later.

After completing a Primary Music BEd degree, I became a class teacher before specialising in Music Education. For the last 16 years i've worked in many schools teaching and raising the profile of Music education.

Recently I joined Hertfordshire Music Service as a Regional Development Lead, helping to bring music to life across the East of the county as well as upskilling teachers through insets and workshops.

Tansy Agnew

My early life was surrounded by music. I was inspired to learn to play the violin by my father and started lessons when I was 5.

After finishing school, I studied for a BMus at Canterbury Christ Church University and then gained a Masters Degree from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance.

I'm now a community music specialist and work with a wide variety of people from babies to adults, in a diverse array of settings. I enjoy running workshops, orchestras, choirs and first access classes, and has a real passion for making music inclusive for all.