Drake Music enters 2024 with a renewed focus on our proud heritage of breaking down barriers to music.
The Board of Trustees have appointed an interim CEO that will be able to continue and build upon our legacy.
Julian Stodd, Acting Chair says:
“The Board of Drake Music are excited to announce the appointment of new Chief Executive, Sally Currie, to lead the charity into a new chapter of innovation and engagement.
A Disabled musician, an alumni of Drake Music programmes herself, and a passionate advocate for the power of music, Sally brings with her a wealth of experience, and we are delighted to meet one of our strategic goals to be Disabled led.”
Sally Currie is an accountant qualified with the Association of Chartered and Certified Accountants and is also a partially deaf multi-instrumentalist based in Kingston-Upon-Hull. She takes up her position at Drake Music after several years working in finance, governance and business management for arts organisations such as Freedom Festival Arts Trust, Jazz North, The New Adelphi Club CIC and The Old Market.
Sally leads a contemporary folk band, The Dyr Sister. After winning an emergent commission from Drake Music she then went on to produce an ambitious immersive show with the support of Sound and Music, Back to Ours and Hull Jazz Festival. Collaborating with artists working in a variety of disciplines she presented her band’s music as a life-sized diorama with the purpose of reaching audiences for which a typical gig experience would be inaccessible. She regularly performs and arranges music with other ensembles in Hull.
Sally adds:
“I am honoured to have been given the opportunity to lead Drake Music throughout its next chapter. We have an excellent team of staff that work hard to deliver a fantastic programme that ranges from live performances that are truly accessible, to developing bespoke instruments for Disabled people wishing to express themselves through music. With the support of our partners and funders I am excited to use my professional skills and my lived experience as a Disabled artist to work towards creating a world where Disabled and Non-Disabled musicians work together as equals.”
