Creative Music and Education work                                                                                                         

From inclusive concerts at the Wigmore Hall (For Crying out Loud and Music For the Moment), with The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, and The Canario Ensemble (Live Music Now) to directing Thinking Music, speaking on Radio 3,  devising and delivering workshops for BREMF Live and Brecon Baroque Festival, being an associate facilitator for Soundcastle, and using Makaton, Alice loves the rich tapestry of creative projects in her working life.

Alice has a passion for education, enjoying her time at Superstrings as “Comprov” Coach (2017-), violin/viola teacher at Wimbledon High School for Girls (2018-2021) and SAYM.

The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment 
Alice first encountered The OAE when they came to her secondary school and introduced her to the technicolour world of Biber. Alice is delighted to have joined their team, her desk partner the presenter of the school project back in 2010. Alice works both as a player and a support musician as well as leading:
  • Suffolk Young Strings Project “Looking Beyond”
Alice led this exploration of pre-existing baroque and folk repertoire, the generation of creative responses and their amalgamation into a new fully choreographed, narrated piece.
  • Primary Strings Project (with Camden Music Service) 
Alice co-led and designed a string project, beginning with ‘get-to-know-you’ playing sessions in schools, culminating in a massed strings day with all participating schools coming together to perform the ‘The Tree’s Top Job’ (a programme Alice co-designed exploring how string instruments are made, using beginner and intermediate baroque string arrangements).
  • LPO’s Funharmonics 
Alice designed, narrated and performed in The Colour Monster’s Party – a tots show performed at the Southbank Centre weaving together emotions with colours with baroque repertoire.  
 
English National Opera 
Share The Load is a piece composed by Joe Cummings and Alice Poppleton and performed at the Royal Albert Hall as part of Tri-Borough Music Hub’s Music Makes Me concert. It originated from music composed as part of ENO's Engage Programme by ESOL students new to the U.K.
 
Royal Academy of Music with Early Opera Company
Alice designed and delivered a project that combined the pre-existing repertoire of John Blow’s Venus and Adonis with newly composed episodes by Edith Neville Primary School (Year 4) to form a mini-recorded opera evoking The Great Frost Fair of 1683.
“Rarely does one see leadership which is so thoughtful, compassionate and rooted in child centred education that somehow also managed to be so effective, individualised and respectful of every person’s boundaries.  You were utterly brilliant.” 
Miriam Allan, Soprano, Early Opera Company.
 
Royal Academy with Hold the Drama 
Royal Academy of Detectives is a brand new children's musical composed by Joe Cummings and Alice Poppleton with Netley Primary School (Year 3), commissioned by the Royal Academy of Music. 
 
Hold The Drama 
Hold The Drama create, perform and tour non-verbal shows which use live music and physical theatre to tell stories around social cohesion, wellbeing and mental health. Audiences are challenged to work out the storyline and themes through their own lens and are invited to share their interpretations after the show. 
 
Thinking Music (Founder & Director) 
Thinking Music,   (CIO) build sustainable music ecosystems to enrich the lives of children, especially in rural areas where access to musical opportunity is often limited. Working predominantly in London, but also in rural communities such as Brecon, Aberdeenshire and Wiltshire, Alice not only sees the benefits of a child being exposed to live music-making and performance, but also the stark contrast in provision between the major cities and rural parts of the UK. Alice, who was born and raised in Wiltshire, is determined to address this with Thinking Music.

Open Academy Fellowship (RAM) 2018-2019
 Alice had the privilege of being an Open Academy Fellow (RAM) which proved a truly transformative experience. Exploring the world of collaborative music-making, Alice worked in a range of settings from Care Homes, to inclusive concerts (Wigmore Hall’s For The Moment/For Crying Out Loud series), Schools Projects, SEND, Hospital Schools and Tots. Alice described her experience in this testimonial for the Open Academy Brochure:  
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During my time as an Open Academy Fellow I gained a deeper understanding of both musicianship and humanity. I made music with a multitude of people – in care homes, schools for those with severe learning difficulties, primary schools and hospitals – and one of the most important lessons I learnt was to listen, particularly to those whose voices are often not heard. To be creative we have to make ourselves vulnerable, which can be difficult, but the rewards are indescribable. My experiences have taught me so much about the transformative power of music. Whether you’re 5, 25 or 95, music can break down barriers and forge connections. It’s magical to watch this happen over the course of a session or project, and a privilege to be a part of it.
RAM/Hold the Drama’s: Royal Academy of Detectives
ENO/TBMH collaboration: Alice, alongside Joe Cummings, created Share the Load performed at The Royal Albert Hall 
BREMF Video Series  for primary and SEND settings. Alice designed, presented and played alongside Sergio Bucheli. Click image to watch. 
Spitalfields Creative Encounters. Click the image to read Alice’s blog post about her experience. 
Be A Rainbow (Lockdown 2020): Alice sings, uses Makaton, plays an improvised violin part.
Alice combines wonderful playing and musicianship with a natural affinity for engaging with people creatively. I have seen Alice improvising music alongside young children, people with learning disabilites, and people living with dementia. Every time there is a real sense of excitement and creativity that never fails to impress me.
Julian West, Head of Open Academy, Royal Academy of Music

                                                        
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