Head of Practitioner Development, The Sage Gateshead

In her role as Head of Practitioner Development, Wendy oversees The Sage Gateshead's flagship trainee and apprenticeship programmes, which she had a key role in establishing. This year long Community Music Apprenticeship programme facilitates bespoke opportunities for apprentices
to gain experience of creative leadership skills. Apprentices work on projects led by The Sage Gateshead, partner organisations and schools across the region working with the broadest range of participants.

She is also responsible for oversight of all The Sage Gateshead's INSET programmes, the workforce development strand of Access to Excellence, (The Sage Gateshead's Music Manifesto National Pathfinder Project), Vocal Force National Vocal Training Programme, Trinity Guildhall Key Stage 2 Music CPD Programme in the Northeast, MusicLeader North East, peer development networks (we currently facilitate six regional peer development networks for musicians and teachers together), developing partnerships with FE Colleges and liaison with Creative Industries bodies and the Creative and Cultural Sector Skills Council on matters of learning and professional development.

Wendy has a background in both community music and performance, having spent 20 years in the music industry as a founder member of the pop group Prefab Sprout. Prior to taking up her current post she worked for three years as a Strand Leader at The Sage Gateshead developing a wide range of vocal projects as well as leading the Traineeship. She has also worked as a freelance artist in schools across the Northeast. She is a qualified practitioner of Voice Movement Therapy.