My name is Ashleigh Lowes and I am a freelance Community Musician from Sunderland. I work in various settings, with a mixture of ages, in the North East, North West and Lancashire. I am a Vocalist, Songwriter, I play ukulele and some keys and guitar too. As well as being a workshop facilitator, when I can, I gig acoustically and also within bands. My favourite things about being a Community Musician are that every day is different, and I get to meet a whole load of interesting and inspiring people along the way.

 Some of my musical inspirations include; Stevie nicks, Fleetwood Mac, Adele, Joss Stone, Pink Floyd, Alicia Keys, Amy Whinehouse, and a most recent favourite of mine; Celeste, can’t get enough of her vocals and lyrics right now! … I’m a sucker for lyrics and a lush voice.

I’m self-employed and work alongside various partnerships and arts organisations including, Sage Gateshead, Sunderland Music Hub, Sunderland Empire Creative Learning, Sunderland University, New Writing North, Unfolding Theatre, GemArts, Liverpool Learning Partnership, Lancashire Music Service, The Amber Trust, Tuneless Choir and Music in Hospital and Care, plus more.

 A typical week for me includes project leading and delivery with various initiatives in school settings, Pupil Referral units, Arts Award Delivery and Advisor, Music in Early Years, Choirs, Songwriting workshops, Youth Projects, SEND delivery, Gender Equality, Cultural and Heritage projects, Music in hospitals and Music in Theatre Performance. I also work alongside organisations as a project producer, spotting artistic opportunities, supporting in projects and conducting evaluations.

Having a full-time job in music has always been an absolute dream of mine, I feel extremely lucky to be able to work alongside so many talented people and to be able to make music and sing every day. I began my journey of becoming a community musician in 2008, studying Performing Arts at Newcastle College. I then moved to London to further my studies in Commercial Music Performance, part funded by EMI Sound Scholarship, at BIMM Tech Music School in 2011. Moving back to the North East in 2013, to complete my degree at Sage Gateshead, in BA Community Music.

Why Community Music? – I am passionate about how important and beneficial the impact of music and the arts have on wellbeing and mental health. I love to help create opportunities, develop skills and build confidence and self-esteem in individuals. Having such a diverse range of groups and individuals to work alongside every day, inspires me to help maintain being able to recognise diversity in the art sector, and support building on creative and leadership skills. I encourage and strive from the learning, improvement and success of others, by creating an inclusive environment, and being able to inspire participants to develop their full potential. And, nothing feels better than just being able to create music and sing!

Thanks for reading, Ashleigh x

You can contact and follow me on;

Twitter – @ashlowes

Instagram – @ashlowes

Facebook – Ashleigh Lowes Music