Trustees of The Promote Our Pianists’ Charitable Trust
Founder and Chairman,
Mary Orr
Mary Orr, Founder and Chairman. BA Hons History of Art (Courtauld Institute), Writer, editor, publisher and administrator of the Imogen Cooper Music Trust from 2019 to 2023. The role of the Founder is to ensure that the Trustees further the aims of the charity in a fair and sustainable manner.
Kerry Davidson, BA Hons German Studies (University of Nottingham), direct marketing specialist and copywriter, with a love of spreadsheets. Her primary role is to manage the budgets and advise on communications strategy.
Kerry Davidson
Kate Orange, a lifelong music enthusiast and player, recently retired as headteacher of a north London prep school with a strong musical focus, where professional musicians ran both violin and singing programmes for all pupils. Kate is an ardent supporter of universal music education,
Kate Orange
Pauline Orr. Pauline's role is to preserve the legacy of Mary's late husband William Orr (1935–2017). William was an enthusiastic clarinet player at their Sunday afternoon chamber music sessions and a champion of the Scottish Sturm and Drang movement inspired by the literature of Sir Walter Scott.
Pauline Orr
Dr Bryan Youl, BMedSc, MBBS, MD, FRCP, FRSMus. Consultant Neurophysiologist based at the Royal Free Hospital since 1993. Specialist in the assessment of peripheral nerve and muscular disorders. He is particularly interested in participating in the care of musicians who suffer from nerve or muscle injuries.
POP’s ADVISERS
PROMOTE OUR PIANISTS (POP) is grateful to its team of distinguished advisers who are generously giving their time to support POP’s mission.
Lydia Goldberg. Digital Counsellor, Roving Ambassador, and Mentor. Lydia is a digital innovator and disruptor who has worked across a broad range of sectors, including music ticketing (antiscalping), mental health, and neurodiversity, with a focus on mentoring and empowering teams.
Carole Milner MBE. After an international career in heritage conservation, notably in Italy, France and the UK, Carole now occupies a number of roles in the charity sector, both as Trustee, Adviser, and Convenor. She has a keen interest in charity governance and best practice in charity funding and grant-giving.
Philip Orange LL.B. (Hons) Cambridge. A professional support lawyer at Debevoise spcialising in matters of regulation in the UK and across Europe.
Cristian Sandrin BMus, DipRAM, AdvDip, Artist Director POP. Cristian graduated from the 'Dinu Lipatti' Art College, Bucharest, and from the Royal Academy of Music. Concert pianist, recording artist, collaborator and educator. Joint Artistic Director of Kettner Concerts.
Samson Tsoy. Samson was born in Kazakhstan and moved to Russia in 1996 where he later graduated from the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory, continuing his education at Verbier Academy before enrolling at the Royal College of Music supported by an ABRSM scholarship. Samson feels passionately that music is something every child should learn. He believes that talented young concert pianists need the help of mentors, workshops and performance opportunities to focus on their professional development and achieve their potential.
Professor Val Wass OBE, FRCGP, SAPC. An international career in clinical medicine and medical education resulted in an appointment, before retirement, as Head of the Keele University Medical School. Subsequently she has held several trustee positions developing increasing interest in fostering wellbeing and protecting mental health especially for early career learners.
Lucy Waterhouse. A versatile violinist at ease performing orchestral works or chamber music. Lucy teaches in the junior department of Trinity Laban and runs NCMC, a string quartet course for youngsters each summer. She is also a voiceover artist, recording audio books and podcasts.
Ben Westlake BMus RAM, Virtuoso clarinettist, entertainer, conductor and entrepreneur. Founder and Joint Artistic Director of Kettner Concerts. A musician who has had to adapt his performances as a result of chronic illness. With considerable experience of performing on cruise ships, Ben has developed valuable insights into programming, presentation and engagement with wide audiences.