Meet the Team
The passionate people behind Sunbeams Music Trust
Our Team
Annie Mawson MBE
Founder, CEO and Musician
Annie founded Sunbeams Music Trust in 1992 and has dedicated her life to bringing the healing power of music to those who need it most. To read more about Annie and her story please click here.
Michael Lawson-Johnson
Development Manager
Previously the clerk of works for the build of the Sunbeams Music Centre, now Michael evaluates our Project Delivery and writes Grant Applications. Michael has shared Annie's vision since 1992, travelling 1000’s of miles throughout England, spreading the word for Sunbeams.
Kate Giergel
Projects Manager
Kate leads and coordinates Sunbeams projects across Cumbria, ensuring every programme runs smoothly and reaches those who need it most.
Matty Buck
Centre Co-Ordinator
Matty oversees the day-to-day running of the Sunbeams Music Centre, keeping everything on track and welcoming for visitors and staff.
Julie Blundell
Fundraising and Marketing
Julie works tirelessly to secure funding and spread the word about Sunbeams, building relationships with supporters, donors and partners.
Tracy Scott
Finance Officer
Tracy manages the finances at Sunbeams, keeping our accounts in order and ensuring the charity operates sustainably.
Pete Ord
Studio Manager
Pete manages the recording studio at the Sunbeams Music Centre, supporting sessions, recordings and productions.
Our Musicians
Our talented specialist musicians who deliver our community music therapy sessions.
Will Harris
Specialist Musician
Will has been a member of the Sunbeams team for 10 years. A piano and guitar player and vocalist, Will's warm personality and brilliant musicality is at the forefront of our music4life and music4dignity programmes. Outside of Sunbeams, Will has toured internationally and released a number of albums as part of the band mylittlebrother https://mylittlebrother.bandcamp.com/ www.youtube.com/@mylittlebrothermusic
Neil Armstrong
Specialist Musician
Neil is a versatile musician who delivers inspiring community music sessions across Cumbria, focusing on ability over disability.
Mark "Stivvy" Stephenson
Specialist Musician
Stivvy's energy and musicianship light up our sessions, creating memorable experiences for children and adults alike.
Alan Hatfield
Specialist Musician
Alan co-delivers our Thursday adults and our Sunbeams Troupe online sessions. He has been a part of our Sunbeams family for many years.
Keith Redfern
Specialist Musician
Keith has been involved with Sunbeams for nearly 14 years delivering music sessions at the centre and in outreach venues all over the county working on a diverse range of inclusive music projects. A guitarist and vocalist, he also has an interest in assistive music technology (e.g Soundbeam) that enables music making to be accessible to all. Away from Sunbeams, Keith also plays in the Kendal based band BaaChords and writes and performs Comedy songs as Simply Redfern www.facebook.com/baachords www.facebook.com/SimplyRedfern
Thomas Pullen
Specialist Musician
Thomas is dedicated to delivering high-quality therapeutic music sessions that improve quality of life for our wonderful beneficiaries.
Ian Kellett
Specialist Musician
Ian brings a wealth of musical experience to Sunbeams, delivering engaging live music that connects with our beneficiaries and their families.
Our Trustees
Our dedicated board of trustees provide governance, strategic direction and oversight to ensure Sunbeams Music Trust continues to thrive.
Dr Ife Akintunde PhD. MA. LLB
Chair
Represents legal matters, disability and musicians. Talented musician. A solicitor, who is also visually impaired and as a Nigerian represents the ethnic minorities.
Rebecca Seager BSc (Hons) MCSP
Trustee
Represents youth, mobility issues and events organisation. Community Physiotherapist with North Cumbria Integrated Care (NCIC) NHS Foundation Trust. Volunteer with Sunbeams since age of 8 years!
Karen Addison
Trustee
Born to a local farming family in Cumbria but went away to work in the corporate world of Intellectual Property for many years. Karen now runs her own consultancy firm working with many famous household names such as Paddington, Shaun the Sheep and Wallace & Gromit amongst others.
Linda Addison MA, Chartered MCIPD
Trustee
Represents HR, learning and development and leadership in business. Linda spent her career with a large retail organisation, both in commercial leadership roles and in HR, working across England and Scotland. Experienced in change management, resourcing, talent, performance management and reward.
Ian Elson
Trustee
Brings extensive experience in governance and organisational protocols, supporting the board with strategic oversight and best practice.
Theo Lewthwaite
Trustee
Represents legal matters. Lives and works locally.