DMLab London: Meet the Makers – Monday 28 July

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DMLab London: Meet the Makers

 

Event details

DMLab is a space for Disabled and Non-Disabled musicians, technologists, and makers to exchange practices and explore new accessible instruments.

When: Monday 28 July 2025
Time: 6.30PM to 9PM 
Venue: Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London, E1 6LA OR live stream
Tickets: Register for free now!

 

A piece of hardware that is used to control MIDI messaging. It has silver touchpads in the shape of finger prints and LED lights that are used to indicate when a sensor has been touched.
Caption: Tom Fox’s new accessible instrument, Tim’s Palm.

 

Event overview

At this event, we’re delighted to introduce 2 new accessible instruments that have been developed over the course of the last year, using seed funding from our Accessible Musical Instrument Development programme. We’re delighted to also officially open applications for our 2025 programme!

If this wasn’t enough, we also have a very special remote presentation from Light and Hope Association – an orchestra for blind women based in Egypt. More information about our guests:

  • Tom Fox (he/him): A a creative technologist, educator and musician who has combined tech and interactivity in his musical and artistic practises for over a decade.
  • Hugh Aynsley (he/him) & Miggy Barker (they/them): Hugh is a PhD candidate at the University of the West of England and his research investigates novel ways of designing and fabricating new instruments in collaboration with Disabled participants. Miggy is a writer and performer, creating art through music and words and movement usually stemming from their disability and queerness.
  • Light and Hope Association/ Al Nour Wal Amal (remote): Founded in Cairo in 1954, Al Nour Wal Amal empowers blind girls through education, vocational training, and music. Its all-blind chamber orchestra—performing without braille or a conductor—is globally unique and has toured 27 countries. Described as a “human miracle,” the orchestra showcases the extraordinary potential of inclusive arts.

As usual, the event will also include opportunities for networking and music making and testing a selection of instruments from Drake Music’s Accessible Musical Instrument Collection.

While this will be an in-person event, there will also be the opportunity to view the presentations online. Register for an online ticket to receive the YouTube link, which will be shared ahead of the event.

Access

  • The venue, Rich Mix, is wheelchair accessible, via a permanent entrance ramp and lifts inside the building. The event will be held in The Studio, which is level throughout and is located on the 4th floor.
  • There are accessible toilets (with RADAR locks) on the ground floor, 1st floor, 2nd floor and the 4th floor.
  • There will be a quiet space available
  • We will have live captions and BSL interpreters at the session (these will also be available on the livestream).
  • There is a hearing loop in the Studio that can be used by switching most hearing aids to the ‘T’ position.
  • There is also an infrared system in The Studio which requires the use of headsets (which Rich Mix provides).

Please let us know of any specific access requirements when registering for the event.

Find out more about accessibility at Rich Mix

About the speakers

Tom Fox (he/him)

 

Image description: Tom, a bearded man sat behind a laptop, with musical and electronic devices in front of him on a table. Credit: Francisca Siza.
Caption: Tom Fox at work. Credit: Francisca Siza.

 

Tom will be presenting Tim’s Palm, a highly customised touch-based midi controller for Sweden-based artist, producer and musician, Tim Palm.

The device allows Tim to use a controller while simultaneously using a microphone, enabling live sampling and precise live vocal manipulation and much more. The interface was influenced by his creative as well as physical needs, focusing on efficiency on stage and fitting in with the rest of Tim´’s setup.

Hugh Aynsley (he/him) & Miggy Barker (they/them)

 

Miggy (left) presenting on stage. They are sitting in a black wheelchair, and are holding a microphone to their mouth, smiling at the camera. Hugh (right) sitting down at a desk with electronic components and a laptop. He has a look of concentration on his face.
Caption: Hugh & Miggy presenting on-stage.

 

Miggy and Hugh will present a new digital musical instrument, Tacta, which was co-designed over five participatory design workshops. The workshops focused on the use of generative AI tools at several stages of the instrument design process – from generating initial ideas for bespoke solutions, to producing 3D-printable models and editing C++ code to control the embedded sensors.

Both designers will present the resulting instrument at DMLab and share insights from their experience of using AI tools in a longer-term collaboration.

Light and Hope Association/ Al Nour Wal Amal

 

A large Egyptian female orchestra performing on stage. They are wearing long black dresses with ornate, colourful collars and white headscarves. They are holding various classical instruments including violins, cellos, double basses and flutes.
Caption: Light and Hope Association performing live on-stage.

 

Light and Hope Association will be joining us remotely for a special presentation, exploring their work with blind women based in Egypt.

Founded in Cairo in 1954, Light and Hope Association / Al Nour Wal Amal empowers blind girls and women through education, vocational training, and social integration. In 1961, the Al Nour Wal Amal Music Institute was established, giving rise to the world’s only all-blind chamber orchestra. These talented musicians perform complex classical and modern oriental works entirely from memory, without braille scores or a conductor’s baton.

Described as a “human miracle” and the “fourth pyramid,” the orchestra has performed in 27 countries and received international acclaim. Beyond its artistic achievements, the Institute provides blind girls with a path to independence and inclusion through the transformative power of music.

We can’t wait to see you there!