OUR TEAM
Dr. Justine SCHNEIDER - University of Nottingham
Professor Justine Schneider is interested in novel approaches to knowledge exchange in dementia care, particularly through the arts. She was responsible for the research-informed play about hospital care for dementia, Inside Out of Mind, by Tanya Myers, which toured to six cities in 2015. She is co-author of Winston’s World, a cartoon book drawn by Tony Husband, which is based on participatory observation in home care settings. A podcast and a chamber opera based on the same study’s findings are in preparation. Her current research focuses primarily on dementia and singing, both online and face to face.
The Institute of Mental Health Nottingham
The Institute of Mental Health is an innovative partnership between the University of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust in the UK. We seek to help transform the understanding and treatment of mental health by bridging the gap between campus and clinic. Since our formation in 2006, we have established a track record of success, with achievements in delivering innovative inter-disciplinary research that has a positive impact within the health, social care and criminal justice sectors. For further information, visit
Bev FOSTER - Room 217 Foundation
Bev Foster is an experienced musician and music educator having taught music in both elementary and secondary schools and her private studio. Bev has free-lanced as conductor, accompanist, clinician and solo performer in community projects as well as leading initiatives such as the Ontario Vocal Festival, and David Festival. Currently, Bev is the Founder and Executive Director of the Room 217 Foundation, a Canadian health-arts organization that uses music to enhance the care experience by producing and delivering music care products, education, training and consulting and by collaborating in applied music care research. Bev speaks and writes on the power of music, especially in life limiting situations. Her passion for music enhancing quality of life and care is contagious.
Kenna KOZAK - Room 217 Foundation
Kenna Kozak - Operations Manager | Conference Logistics | Website
Kenna will be providing operations support & conference logistics & editor conference packaging. www.linkedin.com/in/kennakozak
Marian CONSTABLE - Room 217 Foundation
Marian Constable - Program Support | Registrar
Marian will be providing program support as a registrar for our conference.
Dr. Min HUNG HSU - MHA
Ming Hung Hsu Is Music Therapy Lead for the national charity MHA and a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Cambridge Institute for Music Therapy Research, Anglia Ruskin University. Ming’s research interests are mainly within the field of music therapy and dementia care. Ming is currently the trial manager for the UK arm of the international trial study, HOMESIDE, funded by Alzheimer’s Society. He is also a co-investigator of the MusiCare study funded by the Dunhill Medical Trust.
Douglas NOBLE - Live Music Now
Douglas Noble entered the arts in 2005 after a successful first career as an immigration, asylum and human rights solicitor. He works nationally for Live Music Now as Strategic Director of Wellbeing. He is leading on a range of projects exploring the health and wellbeing outcomes of live music activities in health and adult social care settings, with national strategic partners from those sectors and academia, including partnering with Music for Dementia on the Musical Care Taskforce. He gives evidence to the APPG on Arts Health and Wellbeing, and is a member of the Royal Society of Public Health Arts and Health Special Interest Group.
He was part of the team leading the Live Music In Care Study with the Centre for Arts As Wellbeing at the University of Winchester, Methodist Homes (MHA) and The Orders of St John Care Trust. He also works regularly with other arts organisations, including Drake Music, Music in Detention, Platforma and Music for Change. He has creative practice as a DJ, producer and radio show host.
Jo ROBINS, NHS
Jo Robins is a Public Health Consultant and leads the Midlands Social Prescribing Network, for NHS England and is part of the National Social Prescribing Network Steering Group. She has implemented a successful model of system wide social prescribing, programme, led a range of service improvement programmes around CAMHS, re-designed children’s Early Help services, overseen Healthy Schools Programmes.
Jo is a trained peer reviewer with the LGID in quality improvement methodology and has worked with primary care teams, NHS leads and as part of peer review teams with local government across the country.
Dr. Catherine HOCKING, Lakeside Arts, University of Nottingham
Dr. Catherine Hocking is Head of Music Programmes at Lakeside Arts, the University of Nottingham’s public arts centre and museum. Catherine programmes a wide range of public concerts by international and UK artists including world, folk, jazz, contemporary, chamber and early music alongside a busy University ensemble programme. Lakeside has supported several music and dementia projects, most recently hosting Vicky McClure’s Dementia Choir and SongTime choir sessions. Catherine is currently working with Professor Justine Schneider to bring the research-led chamber opera Who Cares? to fruition.
James PARKINSON, Lakeside Arts, University of Nottingham
James Parkinson is Deputy Director and Head of Business and Development for Nottingham Lakeside Arts; The University of Nottingham’s public arts programme. Lakeside is responsible for the strategic direction, programming and management of The Djanogly Galleries, Djanogly Recital Hall and Djanogly Theatre. Lakeside delivers an annual programme of exhibitions, music, drama, dance, public engagement and family events for students, staff and community. James has worked within the arts and creative industries across the UK for over 15 years within a variety of sectors including Higher Education, local government, and as a Director of the Stonebridge Trust, a charitable trust on a private estate in Nottinghamshire. James is a Director for Ticketing Network East Midlands and Chair of the University Arts Venue Network UK. James studied 20th Century Music at Sussex University, Jazz performance in Chichester and vocal studies at Birmingham Conservatoire.
Nick CUTTS - Opus Music CIC
Nick Cutts is a bassoonist, pianist, whistle player, guitarist and singer. Nick trained as a Musician and Trainer for Musicians in Healthcare through European partnerships led by Musique & Sante in France. Nick is Chief Executive of OPUS Music CIC.
OPUS is a sector leader in the advocacy, delivery and training for the use of music within health and social care settings, bringing cultural encounters to clinical environments to the benefit of the health and wellbeing of patients and residents, their visitors and health/care staff. OPUS is passionate about the use of music-making as a daily ritual of care.
Grace MEADOWS - Music for Dementia
Grace Meadows is Director of Music for Dementia, a national campaign to make music accessible to everyone as part of their dementia care. As a musician and music therapist, Grace has extensive experience of working with music to help enhance and enrich quality of life through music across the lifespan.
When Covid struck and social distancing restrictions came into being, there was an immediate need to respond to the gap left by in-person music-based services for people living with dementia having to cease. This resulted in the creation of m4dradio.com, an online radio station designed with and for people living with dementia and their carers to help bridge the gap and ensure the music kept playing.