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Phil Heeley

About

Music Technologist, Educator, Trainer, Teacher, Consultant, Author, Musician

Email: phil@inclusivemusic.com Website: www.inclusivemusic.com

Phil believes in the incredible power of music and through this, the potential for self-expression, growth and fulfilment . He has endeavoured to enable access to these essential human needs throughout his 30 years’ career and has witnessed the healing and joy it brings.  He has chosen Music Technology as the medium for his work as it captures the imagination of people and allows them to participate in the wonder and awe of making and performing music, no matter what the ability or disability.  His mantra: "Access For All"

Dedicated since 1984: Consultant, Creator, Innovator Phil’s consultancy include work with many Music Services, Ofsted, the BBC, QCA, eJay, Connexions, ABRSM, Trinity Guildhall, BECTA – “Ask an expert”, Musical Futures, the Royal Opera House Bridge Project, theatre groups, children’s homes, youth clubs, drug dependent adults, the homeless and therapeutic communities. 

He was workshop leader and mentor for the Trinity Guildhall CPD program and an Associate of Drake Music UK, the pioneer of Assistive Music Technology.  He conducts training for groups ranging from children with special needs to the elderly from different care homes who have had accidents or degenerative diseases.  Phil has also taught the Post Graduate Music Technology Course at Bath Spa University.   He is currently pursuing opportunities to spread his expertise and mission to Singapore and Asia. 

He is an active gigging musician playing in a live environment as well as writing and recording his own material in a wide variety of contemporary styles. 

Highlights 

Sept 2015 “Access to All – Quality music making for everyone including Pupils with Special Needs and Disabilities”

Phil will present a workshop at the Australian Society for Music Education Annual Conference in Adelaide June 2015 - Music Education Expo Advisory Committee – Special Educational Needs

Phil was selected as the person able to advise on the content of the 2016 show. Music Education Expo is the UK’s largest conference and exhibition for anyone involved in music education. Spanning two days, the event will offer the chance to attend over 50 seminars, workshops and debates, the chance to meet and browse the services of over 130 exhibitors, and the chance to network with 2,500 of your peers. An essential experience for any music educator!

January 2015 Co-authored the best-selling iBook “GarageBand For Schools” with David Ashworth.

Taking the Teacher & Student through the process of writing a contemporary song on the iPad using step-by-step video tutorials.

November 2014 - Forming "Inclusive Music Ltd" A company dedicated to inclusion for everyone through the power of Music Technology. www.inclusivemusic.com

July 2014 - Musical Director of the “Enabled “event Singapore A ground breaking event bringing together non-disabled and disabled musicians to perform using the latest Music Technology and traditional instruments. /> Running “Train the Trainer” courses to bring awareness and build capability in Singapore.

From Sep 2013 (on-going) The Royal Opera House Bridge Project  Phil is consultant and external expert provider for this project which seeks to develop a participatory music education for children with special education needs, including those with profound and multiple learning disabilities, in special school settings in Luton, UK by providing appropriate adaptive music technology resources.  The aim is also to leave a legacy by training the teachers and support staff using the provided hardware and software.  Performances to large audiences to showcase the talents of these children are planned for 2014. 

2012 - 2013 Musical Futures Phil was the Music Technology Consultant in developing and delivering “Find Your Voice - New vocal and music technology classroom strategies” from Musical Futures.  His charge was to lead the initiative to put access to the power of music in the hands of children via mobile technology. 

Sep 2000 - 2011 Somerset Music Service  As Head of Rock, Pop and Music Technology, Phil was responsible for developing the delivery of Music Technology teaching in Somerset schools, running workshops and conferences as well as being part of the senior management team contributing to the overall development of the music service.  He also managed a team of instrumental teachers.  He facilitated the children’s annual performances at the Christmas concert to audiences of 1,000 at the Wells Cathedral where the pride and confidence of the children, their families and the audience swell.  His work contributed to the Somerset Music Service achieving “Outstanding” lessons on three separate occasions according to Ofsted.  During this time, he also designed and published the best selling Music Technology Education software package for Students and Teachers (Dance eJay for Schools) 

1984 – 2000 Access to Music at Special Schools or Mainstream Schools and Youth Clubs Phil worked with children and youths in schools across the UK, be they special schools or mainstream ones.  He either worked to develop and deliver an innovative and inclusive curriculum for pupils with emotional and behavioural difficulties and prepare them for GCSE examinations or to adapt the curriculum and devise resources to cater for the additional needs of the individual pupil.  He was also invited by Jason Thornton, Artistic Director of the Bath Philharmonic Orchestra to work with world renowned cellist Natalie Clein in a special school, delivering a day of interactive music making for disabled children. 

Testimonials

“You have such a profound impact on the children and the staff really look forward to seeing you too.  The added value you give to everyone you work with and the wonderful contributions to the lives of our children cannot be under-estimated.  You leave a big hole behind you.  I’m not confident it can be filled, Phil. Thank you for everything you have given us, it has all been very much appreciated and received with joy.” Liz Hayward, Head Teacher, Penrose School, Bridgwater, Somerset

“Phil worked with a cohort of our students with more profound and multiple learning difficulties and enabled them to bring creative energies into form through musical performance.  It is abundantly clear that his way of working can bring a voice to those students who are non-verbal and offer them a huge boost in terms of self-awareness and confidence.  Rather than highlighting our students’ challenges, Phil provided a platform from which their strengths and talents could be truly celebrated.” Ben Edwards, Primary Manager, Creativity and Music Coordinator, Three Ways School, Bath

“Phil worked with Penrose school pupils for several years. His creative approach and input enabled many of our pupils to express their musicality through composition and performance, overcoming severe communication and mobility difficulties.  Phil was able to give our pupils a musical voice and they were able to demonstrate to the wider community their ability to express themselves on a par with mainstream pupils when the barriers to access were removed.” Liz Tebbutt, Deputy Head, Penrose School, Bridgwater

“We know we are offering quality musical moments for our students and staff when Phil leads the sessions. Totally reliable and professional – I recommend him without reservation.” Christine Wright, Teaching and Learning Music Adviser, South Gloucestershire Music Service

“Phil’s training workshop was relaxing and engaging.  It was loads of fun and very useful. There was a careful selection of programs, especially ‘eJay’ and we were allowed to experiment with the programs and explore them in our own time. I really felt at ease. Thank you, really enjoyed the workshop and feel inspired.”  Richard Hershman, Student Teacher, Bath Spa University

Education and Professional Qualifications B.Ed Hons English and Education, Bath Spa University, UK (1979 – 1983) Chair of the Music Education Council, Music Technology Task Group (2004-2007) Member of Music Mark  

Member of Music Education Council Associate of Drake Music UK