Accessible music education and performance opportunities for the learning disabled
By David Stanley, 2020
Fellow’s Profile
David Stanley
Fellow’s Profile
David Stanley
Accessible music education and performance opportunities for the learning disabled
Fellowship
Themes
Focus
Training people to support access to music education and performance for the learning disabled
Countries
Fellowship year
2019
Locality
East of England
Biography
I am a disability rights campaigner, teacher, composer, and founder and CEO of The Music Man Project, an award-winning international music education charity for people with disabilities.
My Fellowship Music Education and Performance for People with Learning Disabilities took me to New York where I gained the skills, connections and confidence to improve the lives of this vulnerable community in the UK. Inspired by world leaders in my field, I returned empowered to reform the accessible arts education sector and to fulfil my personal and professional potential. My report made 11 recommendations and I have implemented many of these since my visit, including developing links with FE providers, presenting a podcast and creating more accessible performance opportunities for my students. I am extremely close to this community and have developed a deep trust with their families. I understand the issues they face and feel a responsibility to use my music to help them thrive.
My Fellowship is a continuation of my life's work, which was recognised by the Medal of the Order of the British Empire for services to people with special needs in the Queen's 2021 New Year Honours List.
Ideas
Activity
April 2024 Fellows' update: David Stanley
Disability Campaigner and Founder and CEO of the Music Man Project David Stanley (CF 2019) returned to the Royal Albert Hall for a ground-breaking performance and was presented with a prestigious Point of Light Award.
By David Stanley, 2024
July 2023 Fellow's update: David Stanley
Disability Campaigner, David Stanley (CF 2019) recently ran a unique accessible music session at 10 Downing Street. He and his Music Man Project Global Ambassadors delivered a performance workshop to pupils from Westminster primary schools as part of Downing Street’s “Lessons at 10” programme. The Prime Minister’s wife attended the session and the Prime Minister himself came along at the end. David has also undertaken a concert tour of San Diego and performed at the Royal Albert Hall with the Royal Marines. Musical theatre and TV star, Michael Ball has become a patron of David's charity. David has also continued his lobbying work by meeting with the Minister for Disabled People, Tom Pursglove MP and Penny Mordaunt MP. David was also given the Freedom of the City of Southend-On-Sea in recognition of his music education charity for people with learning disabilities. Southend Mayor Stephen Habermel bestowed the honour at a special council meeting on Thursday. Accepting his honour, David thanked his family and paid tribute to his students, his project team, and to the late MP Sir David Amess who was a keen supporter of the Music Man Project.
By David Stanley, 2023
January 2023 Fellow's update: David Stanley
Disability campaigner David Stanley (CF 2019) undertook a musical performance tour of San Diego with a group of musicians with learning disabilities.
By David Stanley, 2023
December 2022 Fellow's update: David Stanley
Disability campaigner David Stanley (CF 2019) released a new Christmas single, Music is Magic, in a collaboration between young people with learning disabilities and the Royal Marines Band.
By David Stanley, 2023
Music is magic for Christmas
An inspiring Christmas single has just been launched by David Stanley’s Music Man Project for learning disabled musicians, together with the Royal Marines Band.
By David Stanley, 2022
Music education for people with learning disabilities
By David Stanley, 2022
June 2022 Fellows' update: David Stanley
Disability campaigner David Stanley (CF 2019) was invited by the Minister for Disabled People to contribute a video about his charity, The Music Man Project, for the UN's Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. David’s Fellowship explored approaches to music education for learning-disabled people.
By David Stanley, 2022
May 2022 Fellows' update: David Stanley
Disability campaigner David Stanley (CF 2019) recorded a podcast with Team Lewis Global about his charity The Music Man Project this month. David shared how his charity is working to deliver music education and performance opportunities for learning-disabled people.
By David Stanley, 2022
March 2022 Fellows' update: David Stanley
Disability campaigner David Stanley (CF 2019) appeared on BBC News on 1 March to share how Southend’s city status will help to elevate the work of his charity, the Music Man Project. David is Chair of the City Status Development Committee and also met with HRH The Prince of Wales as part the Southend City Status Ceremony.
By David Stanley, 2022
February 2022 Fellows' update: David Stanley
Disability campaigner David Stanley (CF 2019) has released a short documentary this month that showcases the work of his charity, The Music Man Project. The charity was set up to deliver music education and performance opportunities for learning-disabled people.
By David Stanley, 2022
December 2021 Fellows' update: David Stanley
Disability campaigner David Stanley (CF 2019) has been named as an inspirational leader by the recruitment company Venquis this month. David and his disabled music students also appeared on ITV’s Good Morning Britain on 24 December, where they featured in a Christmas carol performance.
By David Stanley, 2021
August 2021 Fellows' update: David Stanley
Disability campaigner David Stanley (CF 2019) has been appointed to the advisory panel for the National Plan for Music Education this month. Within this role, David will advocate for better special needs music provision, which was an objective of his Fellowship.
By David Stanley, 2021
Arts and culture: David Stanley
By David Stanley, 2021
July 2021 Fellows' update: David Stanley
Disability campaigner David Stanley (CF 2019) was appointed one of the UK Government’s Disability and Access Ambassadors for arts and culture this month. David is one of 12 ambassadors who will work to influence policy and make positive change to the lives of disabled people across the UK.
By David Stanley, 2021
June 2021 Fellow's update: David Stanley
The work of David Stanley (CF 2019) has been included in a PhD research study carried out by the Royal College of Music this month. The research explores the impact of music education on learning disabled people, which was the topic of David’s Fellowship.
By David Stanley, 2021
May 2021 Fellow's update: David Stanley
Charity founder David Stanley (CF 2019) was awarded the King’s Arts and Culture Alumni Award by King’s College London, on 10 May, in recognition of his work with the learning-disabled community. David’s Fellowship explored approaches to music education for learning-disabled people.
By David Stanley, 2021
March 2021 Fellow's update: David Stanley
Music specialist David Stanley (CF 2019) was named a Community Hero by the UK Community Network this month. The honour is in recognition of David’s efforts to support the learning-disabled community during the pandemic through his organisation The Music Man Project.
By David Stanley, 2021
January 2021 Fellow's update: David Stanley
Charity CEO David Stanley (CF 2019) has been awarded a BEM in the Queen’s New Year Honours List this month. The honour is in recognition of David’s work as CEO of The Music Man Project and services to people with special needs.
By David Stanley, 2021
September 2020 Fellow's update: David Stanley
Music specialist David Stanley (CF 2019) has saved a music department in America which he visited during his Fellowship from closing down. David addressed the university board which made a crucial difference in keeping the department open. Read our news story.
By David Stanley, 2020
A lifeline for people with learning disabilities
By David Stanley, 2020
Music is magic for people with a learning disability
By David Stanley, 2019
Disclaimer
All Reports are copyright © the author. The moral right of the author has been asserted. The views and opinions expressed by any Fellow are those of the Fellow and not of the Churchill Fellowship or its partners, which have no responsibility or liability for any part of them.
Activity
April 2024 Fellows' update: David Stanley
Disability Campaigner and Founder and CEO of the Music Man Project David Stanley (CF 2019) returned to the Royal Albert Hall for a ground-breaking performance and was presented with a prestigious Point of Light Award.
By David Stanley, 2024
July 2023 Fellow's update: David Stanley
Disability Campaigner, David Stanley (CF 2019) recently ran a unique accessible music session at 10 Downing Street. He and his Music Man Project Global Ambassadors delivered a performance workshop to pupils from Westminster primary schools as part of Downing Street’s “Lessons at 10” programme. The Prime Minister’s wife attended the session and the Prime Minister himself came along at the end. David has also undertaken a concert tour of San Diego and performed at the Royal Albert Hall with the Royal Marines. Musical theatre and TV star, Michael Ball has become a patron of David's charity. David has also continued his lobbying work by meeting with the Minister for Disabled People, Tom Pursglove MP and Penny Mordaunt MP. David was also given the Freedom of the City of Southend-On-Sea in recognition of his music education charity for people with learning disabilities. Southend Mayor Stephen Habermel bestowed the honour at a special council meeting on Thursday. Accepting his honour, David thanked his family and paid tribute to his students, his project team, and to the late MP Sir David Amess who was a keen supporter of the Music Man Project.
By David Stanley, 2023
January 2023 Fellow's update: David Stanley
Disability campaigner David Stanley (CF 2019) undertook a musical performance tour of San Diego with a group of musicians with learning disabilities.
By David Stanley, 2023
December 2022 Fellow's update: David Stanley
Disability campaigner David Stanley (CF 2019) released a new Christmas single, Music is Magic, in a collaboration between young people with learning disabilities and the Royal Marines Band.
By David Stanley, 2023
Music is magic for Christmas
An inspiring Christmas single has just been launched by David Stanley’s Music Man Project for learning disabled musicians, together with the Royal Marines Band.
By David Stanley, 2022
Music education for people with learning disabilities
By David Stanley, 2022
June 2022 Fellows' update: David Stanley
Disability campaigner David Stanley (CF 2019) was invited by the Minister for Disabled People to contribute a video about his charity, The Music Man Project, for the UN's Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. David’s Fellowship explored approaches to music education for learning-disabled people.
By David Stanley, 2022
May 2022 Fellows' update: David Stanley
Disability campaigner David Stanley (CF 2019) recorded a podcast with Team Lewis Global about his charity The Music Man Project this month. David shared how his charity is working to deliver music education and performance opportunities for learning-disabled people.
By David Stanley, 2022
March 2022 Fellows' update: David Stanley
Disability campaigner David Stanley (CF 2019) appeared on BBC News on 1 March to share how Southend’s city status will help to elevate the work of his charity, the Music Man Project. David is Chair of the City Status Development Committee and also met with HRH The Prince of Wales as part the Southend City Status Ceremony.
By David Stanley, 2022
February 2022 Fellows' update: David Stanley
Disability campaigner David Stanley (CF 2019) has released a short documentary this month that showcases the work of his charity, The Music Man Project. The charity was set up to deliver music education and performance opportunities for learning-disabled people.
By David Stanley, 2022
December 2021 Fellows' update: David Stanley
Disability campaigner David Stanley (CF 2019) has been named as an inspirational leader by the recruitment company Venquis this month. David and his disabled music students also appeared on ITV’s Good Morning Britain on 24 December, where they featured in a Christmas carol performance.
By David Stanley, 2021
August 2021 Fellows' update: David Stanley
Disability campaigner David Stanley (CF 2019) has been appointed to the advisory panel for the National Plan for Music Education this month. Within this role, David will advocate for better special needs music provision, which was an objective of his Fellowship.
By David Stanley, 2021
Arts and culture: David Stanley
By David Stanley, 2021
July 2021 Fellows' update: David Stanley
Disability campaigner David Stanley (CF 2019) was appointed one of the UK Government’s Disability and Access Ambassadors for arts and culture this month. David is one of 12 ambassadors who will work to influence policy and make positive change to the lives of disabled people across the UK.
By David Stanley, 2021
June 2021 Fellow's update: David Stanley
The work of David Stanley (CF 2019) has been included in a PhD research study carried out by the Royal College of Music this month. The research explores the impact of music education on learning disabled people, which was the topic of David’s Fellowship.
By David Stanley, 2021
May 2021 Fellow's update: David Stanley
Charity founder David Stanley (CF 2019) was awarded the King’s Arts and Culture Alumni Award by King’s College London, on 10 May, in recognition of his work with the learning-disabled community. David’s Fellowship explored approaches to music education for learning-disabled people.
By David Stanley, 2021
March 2021 Fellow's update: David Stanley
Music specialist David Stanley (CF 2019) was named a Community Hero by the UK Community Network this month. The honour is in recognition of David’s efforts to support the learning-disabled community during the pandemic through his organisation The Music Man Project.
By David Stanley, 2021
January 2021 Fellow's update: David Stanley
Charity CEO David Stanley (CF 2019) has been awarded a BEM in the Queen’s New Year Honours List this month. The honour is in recognition of David’s work as CEO of The Music Man Project and services to people with special needs.
By David Stanley, 2021
September 2020 Fellow's update: David Stanley
Music specialist David Stanley (CF 2019) has saved a music department in America which he visited during his Fellowship from closing down. David addressed the university board which made a crucial difference in keeping the department open. Read our news story.
By David Stanley, 2020
A lifeline for people with learning disabilities
By David Stanley, 2020
Music is magic for people with a learning disability
By David Stanley, 2019
Disclaimer
All Reports are copyright © the author. The moral right of the author has been asserted. The views and opinions expressed by any Fellow are those of the Fellow and not of the Churchill Fellowship or its partners, which have no responsibility or liability for any part of them.
