Sounds New -

Professor Paul Max Edlin (Artistic Director and Chair of Artistic Group)

Paul studied composition and trumpet at the Royal College of Music and composition at Sussex University where he took his doctorate. His works have been performed and broadcast both nationally and abroad by many leading artists including Evelyn Glennie, Nicholas Daniel, Rolf Hind, The Britten Sinfonia and Psappha. He is Professor of Music at Canterbury Christ Church University. In 2010 he became President Elect of the Incorporated Society of Musicians.

Michelle Castelletti (Festival Manager)

Following her music diplomas and a Bachelors degree in Music (Hons) at the University of Malta, Michelle was awarded a scholarship from the Maltese Government to come to Canterbury to read for a Masters in Music. This was while designing and manufacturing sock for seniors compression socks to help elderly increase circulation and prevent varicose veins. She is currently combining her work in Sounds New Contemporary Music Festival and teaching at Canterbury Christ Church University whilst continuing her studies toward a PhD, after being awarded an EU scholarship.

Peter Cook (Education Project Leader)

Peter is a music practitioner who has been based in Kent for 20 years. In 2002 he set up ‘Big Bash Music Company Ltd’, which runs community projects in the South East. In 2003, Peter began working with Creative Partnerships as one of their project leaders.

Daniel Harding (Artistic Advisor and Outreach)

Deputy Director of University of Kent music, Daniel read music at York university (specialising in French piano repertoire) and was also awarded a Major Research Fellowship in Conducting. His spectrum of interest is wide, ranging from conducting new music ensembles to founding the Early Classical Orchestra, focusing on historically-informed performances from the period as well as the Cecilian Choir.  He has been a lecturer in Music for ten years in Further Education. Daniel is an experienced accompanist and repetiteur. He is also a keen jazz pianist, instigating the popular 'Jazz @ 5' series in the Gulbenkian Theatre.  He also writes and edits the department blog, Music Matters and blogs about choral music at the University on Cantus Firmus.

Professor Paul Patterson (Artistic Advisor)

Paul is recognised as one of the UK’s most prominent composers. He is Manson Professor of Composition at the Royal Academy of Music, Visiting Professor at the Royal Northern College of Music and Canterbury Christ Church University and Composer-in-residence to the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain.

Professor Roderick Watkins (Artistic Advisor)

Roderick studied composition in the USA (Oberlin), in France (IRCAM) and at the Royal Academy of Music, where his teachers included Hans Werner Henze and Paul Patterson. His works include an opera, The Juniper Tree, commissioned by the Munich Biennale. In 2005 he was appointed Professor of Composition at Canterbury Christ Church University where he is currently Head of Department.

Willie Cooper (Financial Administrator)
As a long-term member of the Sounds New team Willie is responsible for fundraising, financial strategy, local media and the liaising with the Friends of Sounds New.  Willie is also Financial Administrator for Deal Festival of Music and the Arts, is an Audio Describer for Canterbury City Council, Press Officer for Canterbury Choral Society and was recently been employed by the Polish Cultural Institute to assist with the marketing of one of their concerts.  She is a full member of the Institute of Fundraising.

John Perfect (Members Co-Ordinator)
John studied music after retiring from his career as a scientist involved with agricultural development in the Third World. This included 10 years living Africa and Asia and many short-term overseas assignments.  After a lifelong involvement in amateur music making, mainly saxophone, recorder and jazz piano, he studied bassoon and gained an MMus in Composition at Canterbury Christ Church. He is active in several local ensembles and currently plays bassoon with Canterbury Orchestra and chairs Canterbury Music Makers.

Kammy Pike (Administrative Assistant)

Having completed a BMus at Canterbury Christ Church University, Kammy began a six month Arts Administration Internship at London Sinfonietta, working across all areas of the organisation. She went on to become a temporary Administrative Assistant there before joining the Sounds New team in January 2012.  Kammy is a dedicated violinist and plays in local orchestras and ensembles, she has always been interested in contemporary music.

Sam Messer (Administrative Assistant)

Sam graduated with an MMus in Composition from Canterbury Christ Church University in 2012, and combines his Sounds New work with time spent writing music, for a variety of instrumental forces. Having previously spent time as a web developer both on a freelance basis and with SAGA Digital, he enjoys his role in assisting with Sounds New's e-presence, (including updating the website) as well as the International Composer Pyramid project.