Lucy Coleman

Lucy is a classically trained soprano, music graduate (BA Hons) and qualified occupational therapist (BSc Hons) with an MA in Music Psychology, Education, Performance and Wellbeing from the  University of Sheffield.

Over the last 10 years, Lucy worked for Converge at York St John University, where she managed various projects including music. She has co-authored two academic book chapters on Converge, published in occupational therapy and community psychology books.

She learnt how to conduct  through experienced community musician Chris Bartram who conducts a number of choirs in the York area. 
Chris founded Communitas choir at Converge, training Lucy as a co-leader which she did for 4 years.

Prior to working for Converge, she taught singing and violin peripatetically and privately for several years alongside her performance work, touring with opera companies and as a singer for Music in Hospitals across the UK and Ireland.

Lucy is a founder of Emerging Voices music charity. 

Aaron Soon

Aaron is a music educator and community musician based in York. He holds an MA in Music Education: Instrumental and Vocal Teaching from the University of York, where he explored teaching strategies for andragogy, music performance anxiety, and working with individuals experiencing mental health challenges and neurodivergence. He also holds a BA (Hons) in Music: Education and Community from York St John University, along with NQF music diplomas and certificates in piano, voice, music theory, and composition. Additionally, Aaron is an accredited sound therapy practitioner.

He has extensive experience working both one-to-one and in group settings across music studios, educational institutions, and various local music organisations. He supports learners of different ages, levels, abilities, and needs across diverse learning environments.

He is now a researcher at the International Centre for Community Music (ICCM).

Esther Clare

Esther is an accomplished musician and has been a professional singer songwriter for 20 years. After working as a television producer, she dusted off her clarinet and followed her dream of playing music, gaining an Advanced Diploma in Popular Music. Since then she has recorded several albums and her songs have been played on BBC introducing.

Esther loves co-leading Communitas Choir with Chris Bartram and YSJ music students, and is very proud to be part of such a lively and supportive choir.

Esther is the songwriting tutor for Converge and Emerging Voices.

She has brought her students’ and her own original songs to Communitas Choir, and produced a series of five Converge Songwriter CDs. Esther co-wrote a song that the choir recorded at Abbey Road Studios.

Natalie Walton

Natalie is a multi-instrumental electronic music producer, mixing and recording engineer. She has graduated with a BA and MA in music production at York St John University.

Whilst studying at university she has been involved in many amazing opportunities and projects which have only propelled her passion in music production further and allowed for the creation of Emerging Voices Records.

She has created productions with others, had her own radio show at Saints Radio, worked with a local record label, joined the local arts council as a young persons representative as well as writing, recording and producing her own experimental ambient album.

Natalie is also passionate about the therapeutic nature of music with music production and its modern technologies allowing anyone to express themselves and how important that is, which she incorporates into her music production courses that she teaches through Converge.