Yasmin Lajoie (Empire Management)

Yasmin Lajoie is a music manager and freelance consultant based in London. Her career began in the a&r department at EMI, working on artists as diverse as Beirut, Lana Del Rey and Kate Bush; she has since been employed by Sony/ATV and Warner/Chappell. She has worked at Empire for over two years, where she is responsible for the careers of several platinum selling songwriters and producers. She also consults for Giant Artist Management whose roster includes Mount Kimbie, Crystal Fighters and Neneh Cherry. As well as her work in music, Yasmin is a published author and activist. In her spare time she volunteers for Centrepoint and runs a book club called It’s Lit.

Adele Slater (Coda Agency)

Adele has worked at Coda for the past 3 years (prior to that at WME) and primarily books outside of North America (inc. UK / Europe, Asia, Australia, Japan, South America). Her roster includes Liam Gallagher, Courtney Barnet, Gruff Rhys, Dream Wife, Bill Ryder-Jones, The Pigeon Detectives…. 

SilverFinger Singh (Artist/BBC Radio Leeds)

A Leeds based Artist / Musician & Radio Host, SilverFinger Singh presents the Monday Night MixTape on BBC Radio Leeds.

He released his debut album Education Road EP in 2018 and has shared the stage with artists including Ian Brown (The Stone Roses), The Sugarhill Gang, Panjabi MC and Celt Islam.

Scott Lewis (Come Play With Me/Clue Records)

Scott runs the label side of Come Play With Me (CPWM) which includes the selection process and workshops. He also runs Clue Records, which started in 2012. Clue Records follow a DIY approach, releasing music from artists with passion including Avalanche Party, Crushed Beaks, PLAZA, Team Picture & more, gaining acclaim from NME, DIY, The 405, Wonderland, CLASH as well as national airplay from BBC Radio 1, BBC 6Music, KEXP, Amazing Radio and more. As well as a host of sold out releases under their belt, Clue Records also present a monthly Amazing Radio show. Scott also manages Leeds based art-rock band Dead Naked Hippies.

Claire Rose (PRS For Music)

Claire Rose is the Outreach Manager for PRS for Music in the West of England. In her role, she works with music creators and music industry organisations and representatives to advise on PRS for Music, how to get the most from membership and where the organisation fits into the wider music landscape. She also organises events across her region addressing topics such as the DIY approach to music and issues surrounding diversity and inclusion.

As a membership society, PRS for Music represents more than 130,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers in the UK and beyond, championing their rights and ensuring that they are paid whenever their music is performed or played in public.

Nicole Raymond (NikNak)

Nicole Raymond (NikNak) is a DJ/Turntablist & Sound Artist who specializes in playing a wide range of eclectic music genres in her performances. One goal of hers is to continue developing the role and general perception of a DJ/Turntablist by incorporating self-recorded soundscapes and multi-channel performances. She brings her experience in DJ-ing and wide musical knowledge across into each of her sets from continually incorporating a wide array of genres, to experimenting with new mixing and scratching techniques.

Before becoming a DJ, NikNak primarily worked as a music producer previously named SinSam, and occasionally dabbles in production whenever she can. NikNak is also a qualified live and studio sound engineer. Having graduated with a degree in Music Technology and Innovation from DMU in 2013, NikNak has also studied an MA in Electronic and Computer Music at the University of Leeds. She has taught students at MAP (Music and Arts Production), The DJ School and Lifeforce Productions. Previously she has worked with Pedestrian, Dreaming In Colour Productions and 2FunkyArts in Leicester. She believes that music and its creation or manipulation should be continually pushed to further people’s imaginations, both as audience members and performers.

Maxie Gedge (PRS Foundation)

Maxie has a wealth of musical experience in many different roles – she works in communications at PRS Foundation, runs a musical collective called Gravy, has a MMus in Sonic Arts, and currently plays drums in Graceland and Current Bond. She has worked for festivals, venues and talent development organisations in a range of genres, programmed hundreds of new music shows, and also promotes and DJs at queer dance parties.

Simon Benger (Arts Council England)

Simon is a Music Relationship Manager at Arts Council England, the national development agency for the arts. He works across Yorkshire and the Humber, helping musicians to access funding and advice for a range of activity including creating new music, recordings, collaborations, performing, touring and making creative digital content. Before first starting with Arts Council England in 2013 Simon worked for a range of music and music education organisations across Yorkshire and the North West. He is passionate about supporting musicians across the North of England.

Simeon Walker (Composer)

Following a decade working as a musician, UK-based pianist & composer Simeon Walker has quickly emerged as a leading light in the burgeoning Modern Classical scene in his own right, following the release of his EP Preface (2016) and his debut full length album Mono (November 2017). Following this, 2018 saw him complete a successful 8-date European Tour; receive significant radio airplay across BBC Radio 3, 6 Music, World Service & BBC Introducing shows nationwide; and performed at Latitude Festival, whilst collaborating with other musicians and artists and working towards a follow up album and continued touring. 

With three consecutive Official Piano Day playlist features and numerous glowing reviews from across the music world, Walker’s calm, introspective piano instrumentals invite the listener to find stillness and beauty as much in the spaces between the notes as the notes themselves, as musical stories are woven with each tender, intimate performance.