Liz Butt trained as a music therapist over thirty years ago and has set up Music Therapy services in several schools and, more recently in her own home in Rye, East Sussex. She has a large collection of instruments gathered over the years from all over the world as well as more locally in auctions and shops.

Since moving to Rye in 2001 Liz has been setting up a music therapy service for the whole community, believing that music has therapeutic benefits across a wide range of ages and problems. She sees clients from 1 – 90 years old during her working week and has set up a music therapy service for the children and young people in the local schools.

Seeing the need for a more formal organisation to ensure that the music therapy service could become embedded in the locality, she set up The Music Well in 2010. She has widened its remit to include other musical activities for health and wellbeing. The idea of the Music Well seemed to encompass the well of musical resources that can exist within a community, to be drawn upon for common benefit and also being well through music making.

Liz is registered with the Health Professions Council and is a member of the British Association of Music Therapy. She and all those who work within The Music Well are DBS checked and have undertaken Safeguarding courses for all their work with vulnerable people.

Niki Stuart co founded the Music Well in 2010. She was, at the time, Chair of Governors at Rye Community Primary School. Her background is in primary education as she taught in the London Borough of Southwark for many years. She worked in schools as a classroom teacher and then as a senior leader, SENco, Deputy Head, Head and Governor. She strongly believes in the benefits of having therapeutic support in a school setting.

She understands the benefits of music and is committed to increasing well-being through participation in the musical activities offered by the Music Well. She is a keen member of the Music Well singing group and challenges anyone who says they cannot sing. Everyone has a voice and singing collaboratively proves just that! Everyone is welcome to be a part of the Music Well and join in.

Catrina joined the Music Well as Chair in March 2018. She also previously led the Singing for Wellbeing group for 4 years before Louise took over.

She was involved in the music industry for 20 years as a performer, writer and singer and delivered singing and performing projects with young children through a renowned theatre arts school. She now works with vulnerable families in Hastings and Rother areas.

“I believe in the power of music as a therapeutic intervention, especially in areas of trauma where non-speaking therapy may not work. This tool is especially successful for children and young people who may not yet have developed skills of verbal communication to express deep rooted feelings”.

Sadie is currently a freelance drama and music practitioner based in Folkestone. She completed her degree at Christ Church University and her MA is in Applied Theatre from the Central School of Speech and Drama. She runs a number of singing groups in Kent: a Parkinson’s singing group, a singing group for adults with learning disabilities and Singing for Better Breathing groups in Medway and Easter Rother.

Sadie currently works with The Music Well running a weekly singing for better breathing group. “After working in this field for many years I have seen first hand the positive effects that group singing has on health, both physical and mental. Group singing is not only great fun and makes us feel good, it also enables us to connect with our breathing and learn exercises that strengthen and improve lung health”.

I am a retired Primary School Head Teacher, with much energy and passion for music being part of the education of children. I studied music as my main subject during my teacher training and have attended a variety of music courses throughout my career. I firmly believe music brings joy, confidence, fun and happiness to the busy lives of our children and can provide an opportunity to release a range of different emotions safely, which is vitally important for children’s overall mental health and well-being.

I taught the music curriculum throughout my teaching career to all age groups in the Primary School and to school choirs. What fun we have had together! Nowadays, I am teaching music, singing and piano in a local Primary School and at a Specialist Dyslexia College, both in East Sussex. The benefits and joys of music in both schools has a high profile, with positive feedback from staff, children, students and parents.

am also delighted to be working for The Music Well, teaching a fully inclusive children’s singing club at Rye Creative Centre weekly, 4-5pm on Mondays. This is being sponsored by the Fairlight Arts Trust therefore allowing this club to be free and accessible for all children for 2 years. I believe children can, and need to, express themselves through a wide range of musical experiences, and singing together is a wonderful way to do this and give support to the well being of the children. The children sing at events locally, bringing fun and enjoyment to others, through their enthusiastic singing. Long may it continue!

Panos joined The Music Well in May 2022 and his work there involves providing individual music therapy sessions in a special school that supports students with an education, health and care plan, and with social, emotional and mental health needs, in the Hastings area.

Panos qualified as a music therapist in 2012, from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. More recently, he also specialised in Neurologic Music Therapy. Prior to this, Panos studied classical singing at Trinity College of Music (TCM) in London and he holds the diploma of Licentiateship of TCM. Other academic qualifications include an applied sciences degree from the Free University of Brussels, as well as Ph.D. in artificial neural networks from Imperial College in London.

Panos works as a private and freelance music therapist. The different settings he works in include: special schools, groups of young adults with severe learning difficulties, individual patients on the autistic spectrum and with profound and multiple learning difficulties, young adults with various conditions, adolescents with emotional difficulties, and adult patients with a variety of mental health and physical issues. Other settings in which Panos has worked in the past include a child development service, a London NHS Trust and a forensic adult mental health unit. 

Panos is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council, the Information Commissioner’s Office, and he is a member of the British Association for Music Therapy (BAMT). Panos has also been coordinating the BAMT Neuro-disability Network since 2014.

Besides his music therapy work, Panos performs regularly as a classical tenor. he has performed in a variety of operatic tenor roles and as chorus, with a variety of opera companies in the UK (including, notably, Royal Opera House and Opera Holland Park). Panos also sings regularly oratorio repertoire. Panos also has extensive experience in choral singing, both in small ensembles and large symphonic choruses. He regularly sings as a “stiffener” for various choruses throughout the UK.

Originally from Israel, Yair lived in New Zealand between 2004 – 2018, where he initially worked as a mental health support worker, and maintained a career as a session & touring musician. Yair completed his Masters of Music Therapy in 2011, and has worked as a full-time registered therapist since.
‘I strongly believe in the ability of each and every individual to shine when engaging in music making, whether it is 1-1 or in a group. My approach is always deeply personal and passionate, drawn from my many years of experience facilitating sessions to people of all ages and abilities. I am delighted to be part of the music well family as I value so much the work The Music Well do to reach people of all walks of life to enable them to access our services and subsequently enrich their lives and well being.’

Alison is a qualified music therapist who trained at Roehampton University.  She is a state registered Health Care Professional and member of the British Association for Music Therapy (BAMT). Alison is also a qualified teacher with over 25 years’ experience, and a music teacher in a Primary School.

Music, and particularly singing, have always been central to Alison’s life both professionally and personally. Alison has performed in choirs, theatrical societies, and bands, and has taught music in a range of settings. She is an active member of Cranbrook Operatic and Dramatic Society, performs in an Americana Band and sings in the Wealden Consort.

Prior to taking over the adult Music Well Singers, Alison ran a ‘Living Lively’ community choir for the over 50’s. Through her work as both a music therapist and music teacher, Alison has witnessed first-hand how singing is good for the soul. Singing together can enhance a sense of well-being and help combat loneliness. Alison’s aim for the adult Music Well Singing group, is to offer a safe, welcoming space for group members to feel heard, and be with others who also love singing for fun.  Everyone is welcome!

Nick is a retired conductor, composer and arranger in the commercial music industry. (www.nickingman.co.uk). Living locally in Camber, Nick joins the Music Well to work on some exciting projects and share his passion.