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Led by CEO and TL alum Chrissy Kinsella, the charity wins a Music and Drama Education Award 2021.

Established in 2011, the London Music Fund is an independent charity that works in partnership with London’s 32 Music Education Hubs, and with other education and music providers, to enable children to access high-quality music education.

The Fund’s positive impact on the creative lives of London’s aspiring young musicians has been recognised at this year’s national Music and Dance Education Awards 2021, where the charity was named Outstanding Musical Initiative in an online ceremony hosted by Alexander Armstrong.

The Fund’s CEO is Trinity Laban vocal graduate Chrissy Kinsella. She has worked with the Fund since 2012, joining as Head of Programmes before being promoted to Chief Executive in January 2016. In this role, she oversees the strategic, financial, fundraising, musical and educational development of the organisation.

On winning the award Chrissy comments –

“I am delighted the London Music Fund received the award for Outstanding Musical Initiative. Since 2011 we have supported nearly 600 young instrumentalists from low-income families with four-year Scholarships and funded a further 50 projects with Music Hubs, schools, professional arts organisations and other education providers including Trinity Laban’s own ‘Animate!’ Orchestra, involving more than 10,000 of London’s children and young people.”

A passionate supporter of music education, Chrissy’s career has included working for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, Morley College, the London Schools’ Symphony Orchestra, the Centre for Young Musicians and the Foundation for Young Musicians.

Reflecting on her training at Trinity Laban, Chrissy says –

“During my time at Trinity Laban I learned a huge amount about the impact that music education can have on children and young people and was lucky enough to have the opportunity to develop these interests, alongside studying as a singer. Since graduating, I have continued to commit to ensuring music education is something that every child has access to, and not just those whose families can afford to pay, something that I know the Trinity Laban family is also committed to ensuring for the future.”

Also recognised at this year’s Music and Drama Education Awards was fellow alum Charlotte Buxton, who received the newly introduced Goldstars Award. The award recognises UK teachers who have shown particular compassion, flair and creativity during the pandemic.

Judges described Charlotte, who is Deputy Head of Service at Services for Education, as “a person who has formidable impact and reach, with a remarkable ambition and vision, who has made an amazing achievement in challenging times”.

Find out more about studying at Trinity Laban.