Steve Dummer

Conductor and Clarinettist

Steve trained first as a clarinettist under the great Jack Brymer at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London and then conducting, studying at the Royal College of Music and a few summers at Dartington Summer School with Diego Masson who said he was “one of the best young conductors I have ever met”.

Steve is director of the unique and inimitable ‘Talkestra’ where they don’t just play music, they talk about it, take it apart and show you how it works. When he’s not working for Talkestra he is conductor of the Horsham Symphony Orchestra, Worthing Philharmonic Orchestra as well as many other professional and community groups, he plays, teaches and generally enthuses as much as he can about music anywhere he’s asked to go.

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.