Meet the MFY Team
Phil Castang MBE
CEO
Phil has over 25 years experience leading highly successful music, arts and education projects. Originally training as a sound engineer, Phil spent much of the late 80s behind a mixing desk working with artists such as Adam Ant and Maxi Priest. He went on to produce numerous recordings including the album ‘Utopia’ for Peter Gabriel’s ‘Real World’ Records. Phil is currently Chair of the Music Education Council and has been on the Department for Education advisory panel helping to write a revised National Plan for Music Education.
Kate Peden
Development Director
Kate has extensive leadership, fundraising and consultancy experience spanning the arts, culture and commercial sectors. She has led fundraising teams at the National Trust and Oxford Playhouse; undertaken consultancy for flagship arts organisations and government departments; and initiated various education and participation programmes both locally and nationally. Kate has a background in the performing arts, having attended Mountview Theatre School and working as an actor for over ten years. She has held a number of Trusteeships and is currently a Trustee of the Cheltenham Trust.
Abbie Carlisle
Senior Marketing Officer
Abbie works as part of the Marketing and Communications team, managing all digital content, such as the website, email marketing and social media. She also manages the traditional marketing promotion plan for our events. Abbie has a background in performing arts, and many years' experience in marketing and communications. She has also completed her CIM Level 4 and Level 6 qualifications.
Kate Gardner
Director of Programmes
Kate has over 15 years experience in the arts sector, designing and delivering large scale projects to the highest level. Stating out at the Milton Keynes City Orchestra, Kate quickly progressed in the music education sector working at the London Symphony Orchestra in their Discovery team and then joining Music for Youth in 2014. Kate is a proactive person motivated by working with people, developing long term relationships, and getting results and is deeply passionate about the arts and creating life changing opportunities for young people.
Programme Coordinator
Georgia Wells
Georgia bio TBC
Programme and Marketing Coordinator
Ethan McInerney
Ethan is the Programme and Marketing Coordinator at MFY, working to deliver a yearlong season of inspirational events, alongside aspects of social media and marketing.
A professional trumpeter and composer himself, he graduated from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in 2022. Specialising in classical, soundtrack, jazz and commercial genres, Ethan has won awards worldwide for his film scores and trumpet playing. Some highlights include performing at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and a UK/Ireland tour with the London Film Music Orchestra.
Ethan is passionate about providing the next generation of musicians with the confidence and opportunities to take their next steps in music!