Liz Blackford

Liz Blackford

Liz Blackford MA (Cantab) L.T.C.L. P.G.C.E.

Graduating from Cambridge with a music degree in 1993, Liz developed a particular interest in classroom music teaching and especially with the early years of Primary School age children. She has been Head of Music at The New Beacon, Sevenoaks since 2008, and Junior Music Specialist there since 1995. Prior to this she was Head of Music at The Granville School, Sevenoaks. She has a passion for using and adapting the Kodály approach to music teaching and is completing a PhD which is investigating the potential benefits of this approach to learning music and its possible effects on other cognitive abilities.

SHARE ON

The Board of Trustees

Gavin James

Gavin first encountered orchestral music at age 13 when the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra recorded a performance at his school. He is now a senior civil servant, advising ministers on policy and overseeing infrastructure projects, as well as a Chartered Management Accountant. Gavin also serves as a governor at one of Europe’s largest primary schools. Although he experimented with percussion in his youth, Gavin feels most at home playing guitar—though he still holds a soft spot for orchestral music.

Stevie Higgins

Stevie studied at Oxford University, the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the National Opera Studio in London and is now a conductor and pianist, working with the UK’s major opera houses including Glyndebourne, ROH, ENO and Scottish Opera. Passionate about music education, he has worked as a performer and conductor with Kidenza since its inception.

Murray Taylor

Murray joined Kidenza’s mission to deliver musical joy and inspiration to schoolkids by joining the Board in 2024. An Australian-qualified corporate and commercial lawyer, he is now based in London and brings 10 years of legal experience to the Board. Outside of the law, he holds associate diploma qualifications in piano and is currently studying to sit his licentiate diploma. Hailing from a deprived area of New South Wales’ mid-north coast, he is a driven supporter of social equity initiatives and a passionate advocate for the arts.