What is Skills Lab Academy?
Skills Lab Academy is a professional training course for music facilitators working across a wide range of community settings. Sessions provide a place to learn new techniques, share experiences, and explore new ideas in a non-judgemental environment. The course is led by composer and music leader James Redwood, who brings over 20 years of experience in music creation.
What will I gain from the course?
- Practical skills to facilitate engaging music-making sessions
- Inclusive project strategies for leading creative initiatives
- Peer learning opportunities from professionals working in the sector
- Access to a supportive network of community musicians
Learn more about each session
Session 1
Music Facilitation Toolkit
In this Skills Lab session James Redwood is joined by beatboxer, producer and workshop facilitator Jason Singh. Together, they’ll unpack creative ways to lead music-making sessions, providing practical techniques and discussing their application in a variety of settings. This session will cover how to devise projects, integrating technology in music leading, and vocal leading techniques to unlock creativity and confidence in your work.
Thursday 5th February, 10am – 5pm
Session 2
Leading Creative Instrumental Projects
BBC Concert Orchestra violinist Sarah Freestone joins us for a session on leading inclusive and creative instrumental projects. Discover practical strategies to use when working with a wide range of instruments and learn methods of aiding confidence in music creation through your facilitation.
Thursday 12th March, 10am – 5pm
Session 3
Inclusive Music Facilitation
For the final session, James Redwood will be joined by family music practitioner, singer and songwriter Rosie Adediran. They’ll explore creative ways to lead music workshops with families and young children under five, and share inclusive strategies to building community and belonging through music, with a focus on working with migrant communities.
Thursday 26th March, 10am – 5pm
Skills Lab is generously supported by Arts Council England and Ernst von Siemens Musikstiftung
Can’t make the full course?
We encourage you to book the full 3 day course of Skills Lab Academy which is packaged as a discounted bundle. Tickets for individual sessions are also available:
Three fully-funded bursary places, supported by Ernst von Siemens are available by application.
Please fill out this form to apply for a bursary.
Application deadline: 13th December 2025
We will also consider supporting other access and/or caring costs to enable as many people to attend as possible.
Contact ku.gro.cisumsdleiflatips@ofni with any questions.
