2024 marks the third year of Spitalfields Music running our Trainee Trustee Scheme. We think it’s vital to demystify the world of arts and charity governance, so that the whole sector can benefit from diverse perspectives and experiences. Our Trainee Trustees are given opportunities to shadow our board, contribute in board meetings with a board ‘buddy’, and enrol in a course of the essentials of trusteeship.
We’re pleased to announce our 2024 cohort of the scheme: Connor Guffogg, Elif Karlidag, Amelia Shakespeare, and Dan D’Souza. Read more about them below:
Connor Guffogg
Connor’s interest in music education began after completing work experience with Bolton Music Service and has led him to the Royal College of Music, where he works in learning and participation, looking after the RCM Sparks Schools programme and pipeline projects. Connor’s passion for widening access to creative opportunities extends to all arts forms, having previously served as a Young Lyric Associate at the Lyric, Hammersmith and a freelance drama facilitator with Tooting Arts Club. Connor is very excited to be taking part in the Spitalfields Music Trainee Trustee scheme and is looking forward to learning from the board and wider team throughout the year.
Elif Karlidag
Elif Karlidag is a composer, conductor and pianist. She studied under Istemihan Taviloglu at Izmir DEU State Conservatoire, where she completed her Master’s degree in composition with distinction. Elif pursued advanced studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
She has worked with numerous musicians, including prolific composers such as Michael Nyman and Jocelyn Pook. Elif is a versatile musician who performs with an alternative classical ensemble (ELSE-East London Sound Ensemble) as well as with several classical music groups. She has previously collaborated with various performers and artists, such as Marguerite Humeau and the Scratch Orchestra.
Amelia Shakespeare
Amelia currently works as part of the concert administration team at Wigmore Hall, organising the rehearsal and concert logistics, financial paperwork and work permits for around 600 concerts each season. As well as her administrative work, Amelia enjoys performing alongside various early music ensembles on a freelance basis, having trained in historical performance on the flute and cornetto in London and Basel.
“In the current socio-political landscape, there's even more burden on music and other arts charities to provide both high quality concerts for communities as well as educational pathways for young people, which is why I believe it's more important than ever that these charities are being governed by strong and dynamic leaders who'll help guide them successfully. I'm so grateful to Spitalfields Music for selecting me as a Trainee Trustee so that I can learn how best to use my knowledge, enthusiasm and skills to support these charities to flourish.”
Dan D'Souza
Dan D’Souza has been working as a professional singer for over a decade, having studied at the University of Cambridge, the Royal College of Music and the Royal Academy of Music. This past season he made his debut at the Royal Opera House and has previously performed with the English National Opera and Northern Ireland Opera. He has performed in some of Europe’s most prestigious venues including the Paris Philharmonie, the Berlin Philharmonie, the Concertgebouw, and La Scala. As someone who has lived in East London for the last seven years he is very excited about joining the Trainee Trustee Scheme at Spitalfields Music and learning more about the charity sector.