Our People

Martha Wright

Martha founded Mindful Music while working as a primary school teacher in Medway. She had become aware of the emotional needs pupils were struggling with and the patterns of behaviour negatively affecting their wellbeing, and so started to pilot music projects to support children in their development of emotional literacy. This began the ongoing process of contextual observations supported by her mindfulness practice in the tradition of Nobel peace prize nominated Buddhist monk, Thích Nhất Hạnh.

Martha has a masters in Transformational Leadership through Teach First and Canterbury Christ Church, and a degree in Music from Durham University. She is grateful to be part of the global Plum Village sangha (mindfulness practice community) and has been a long term retreat coordinator for The Barn Retreat Centre in Totnes (Sharpham Trust).

Dr Robin Precey – Chair of Trustees

I joined Mindful Music in 2016 as the charity was being formed. I spent 32 years working in schools in Bradford, Leeds, Norfolk, Norwich and East Sussex. As teacher and later a headteacher, I tried to focus on a holistic approach to education valuing relationships as well as results. I now work part-time at Canterbury Christ Church as a lecturer in educational leadership teaching and conducting research and also part-time as an independent consultant. Both roles involve a good deal of international as well as UK-based work. I am also on the Board of “Human Scale Education”. All of these experiences have convinced me of the value of the Mindful Music’s approach to education.

Natalie Bandoo – Trustee

Natalie has recently joined Mindful Music’s board (though she was one of our first advisors and volunteers in 2014) and is keen to help in its mission to nurture children to develop important skills all while having fun. Natalie has a degree in biochemistry and works as a civil servant. She volunteered as a Rainbows leader for many years and in her spare time enjoys cooking, reading, sewing and gardening.

Amelia Presman – Trustee

Amelia (who goes by Millie) lives in Brighton and works as a Clinical Psychologist, using principles from compassion focused therapy and mindfulness. She is passionate about the work that mindful music do, and the joy they bring.

She is a musician and plays in a klezmer band with her family and some of her favorite people, and a dinosaur-themed brass band with some of her other favourite people.

She studied Experimental Psychology at Oxford University, has an MSc in Clinical Mental Health from University College London, and did her doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of East London. Her career in psychology has included working with people with severe and enduring mental health difficulties, people with cancer and their families, people with neurological disorders, and children with additional needs.

James Little – Treasurer

James is an experienced Community Engagement facilitator and strategist turned entrepreneur in the music industry, as founder-Director of Arcus Sounds he has helped to shape the direction of the company to support musicians of all kinds from DIY to A-list talent. He is also a musician himself and brings all that experience, plus a background in Mathematics to support Mindful Music in the trustee role.