Empowering Musical Ambition: It Starts in Education
A roundtable discussion led by internationally acclaimed Disabled artist Kris Halpin. Primarily known for performing with the groundbreaking MiMu Gloves, Kris leads Dyskinetic, a multidimensional project at the intersection between music, technology and Disability.
The session features two of the UK’s most talked about emerging young Disabled artists – Elle Chante and Ace Ambrose. Elle Chante is a singer, songwriter and producer from Birmingham who recently appeared on On Record, a compilation celebrating Birmingham music as part of Commonwealth 2022. Ace Ambrose is genre-defying DIY artist who was chosen to be one of the musical artists representing Coventry during City Of Culture 2021. Both Elle and Ace have appeared on the Dyskinetic: Two Metres Close tour, a show which challenged perceptions of what Disabled artists can achieve.
All three artist will discuss their difficult journeys through education and onto the main stage, and offer lived experience of why amplifying and empowered young Disabled people is more than just a “good” cause, but a necessary part of our arts & culture.
Speakers
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Ace Ambrose
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Elle Chante
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Kris Halpin
Ace Ambrose
Ace Ambrose is a DIY artist who uses storytelling through genre defying music and multimedia to bring the concepts and characters of her imagination to life. Elected through BBC New Voices, she is one of BBC CWR’s ‘21’ faces for Coventry City of Culture as a music representative. Her latest works have been supported by the likes of This Feeling, Arts Council England and Youth Music, with her upcoming project to be funded by the Youth Music Next Gen grant.
Elle Chante
Elle Chante is a musical self expressionist based in the West Midlands UK. Fueled by her experiences, she threads her reality of complex mental health and disability into her work. Elle began producing in 2020 aiming to create more authenticity in her tracks,and released her first produced EP in September 2022, titled ‘Into The Night’. Alongside her creative work Elle also co-founded Radical Body aiming to make careers in the arts more accessible for disabled artists. She hopes to make the world a little better through sharing her vulnerabilities and raising awareness for access barriers.
Kris Halpin
Kris Halpin, aka Dyskinetic, is a singer, songwriter and live performer. Primarily known for using Imogen Heap’s groundbreaking MiMu Gloves, Kris has used the gloves to overcome his own physical access barriers. Kris is a disabled person, and his work happens at the intersection between Music, Technology & Disability. As well his work as touring and recording artist, Kris is an accomplished music leader and Disability Equality Consultant.
Music in Autism Resource Bases: A practical guide for teachers and musicians
Dr Beth Pickard from the University of South Wales, and Alex Lupo Creative Lead with Live Music Now discuss the Toolkit output from their AHRC funded research. The Toolkit is free to access and is designed to support music making in Autism Resource Bases and other specialist inclusion settings.
Performance: Able Orchestra
Watch a recording of original music by Able Orchestra Pioneers.
- Provided by
- Music Mark
Q&A With Able Orchestra
Kris Halpin leads a Q&A with Able Orchestra Pioneers, Jess, Zoe and Marshall.
- Provided by
- Music Mark
Keynote Speech: Kris Halpin
As a widely respected and highly visible Disabled artist and Disability activist, Kris explores how his work aims to amplify the conversation around music and disability. Known for playing MiMu Gloves, technology is an integral part of Kris’ music making. Kris was the first artist to use MiMu Gloves as an accessibility tool. Facing increasing disabling physical barriers to music making, Kris worked with Drake Music and MiMu to explore the accessibility potential of the gloves. His work happens at the intersection between music, technology and disability, and has received worldwide acclaim.