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Core Team
Meet the Team
Dr Jo Yee Cheung
Chief Executive
I am the Founder and Chief Executive of Olympias Music Foundation. My role is to help all the different parts of the charity (Programmes, Development, Finance) work together in harmony, and to collaborate with our families, partners, and supporters to shape our future. I'm a British pianist and music educator, and the first musician in my family. I studied Music at the University of Cambridge, trained as a pianist at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) and later completed a PhD in Music Education at the RNCM (with a secondment to the University of Canberra as Visiting Research Fellow), specialising in the role of parents in supporting children's musical development. In 2023, I was honoured to be named an Associate Member of the RNCM (ARNCM) and one of the ‘RNCM50 Faces’. I also serve as an External Examiner for the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and a Trustee at The Bridgewater Hall. When I'm not writing funding bids or reviewing strategy documents, I enjoy travelling to unusual places and hanging out with my cat, Atticus. My favourite piece of music is the first movement of Britten’s String Quartet No. 1 in D Major (it sounds like winter sun shining through a frosty window, interrupted by a herd of wild horses!). For dancing? Nothing beats Africa by Toto.
I am the Founder and Chief Executive of Olympias Music Foundation. My role is to help all the different parts of the charity (Programmes, Development, Finance) work together in harmony, and to collaborate with our families, partners, and supporters to shape our future. I'm a British pianist and music educator, and the first musician in my family. I studied Music at the University of Cambridge, trained as a pianist at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) and later completed a PhD in Music Education at the RNCM (with a secondment to the University of Canberra as Visiting Research Fellow), specialising in the role of parents in supporting children's musical development. In 2023, I was honoured to be named an Associate Member of the RNCM (ARNCM) and one of the ‘RNCM50 Faces’. I also serve as an External Examiner for the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and a Trustee at The Bridgewater Hall. When I'm not writing funding bids or reviewing strategy documents, I enjoy travelling to unusual places and hanging out with my cat, Atticus. My favourite piece of music is the first movement of Britten’s String Quartet No. 1 in D Major (it sounds like winter sun shining through a frosty window, interrupted by a herd of wild horses!). For dancing? Nothing beats Africa by Toto.
Petra van den Houten
Chief Executive (Maternity Cover)
Petra is an experienced arts & culture consultant and creative producer who has over 25 years of experience in the cultural industries. Most recently she was Director of Development, Marketing and Communications at Liverpool Biennial and prior to that Head of Major Gifts at the Royal Northern College of Music. Petra was born and raised in the Netherlands but moved to the London after her History of Art MA and has lived in Manchester, a city that she loves, for over 20 years.
Petra started her career working for PR agencies where she delivered events for Pepsi Cola, Karl Lagerfeld, The Four Freedom Awards and various others before immersing herself in the art world. She is a former Associate Director of Christie’s, Deputy Director of Sotheby’s and has worked extensively with artists, musicians, collectors and philanthropists in Europe, USA and the Middle East. She is a Board member at esea contemporary, Manchester, former Board member of Manchester Art Gallery and holds an MA in Art History from Leiden University, The Netherlands.
When she is not working or attending gigs and exhibitions, Petra spends her time walking her retired racing greyhound, trying new recipes and crafting; textiles are a big passion!
Petra is an experienced arts & culture consultant and creative producer who has over 25 years of experience in the cultural industries. Most recently she was Director of Development, Marketing and Communications at Liverpool Biennial and prior to that Head of Major Gifts at the Royal Northern College of Music. Petra was born and raised in the Netherlands but moved to the London after her History of Art MA and has lived in Manchester, a city that she loves, for over 20 years.
Petra started her career working for PR agencies where she delivered events for Pepsi Cola, Karl Lagerfeld, The Four Freedom Awards and various others before immersing herself in the art world. She is a former Associate Director of Christie’s, Deputy Director of Sotheby’s and has worked extensively with artists, musicians, collectors and philanthropists in Europe, USA and the Middle East. She is a Board member at esea contemporary, Manchester, former Board member of Manchester Art Gallery and holds an MA in Art History from Leiden University, The Netherlands.
When she is not working or attending gigs and exhibitions, Petra spends her time walking her retired racing greyhound, trying new recipes and crafting; textiles are a big passion!
Sam Parry
Programmes Manager
I am Sam, the Programmes Manager. I look after the people we interact with on a day to day basis - freelancers, families, and most importantly, the young people we teach, writing timetables and organising events, both internal and with external partners. My favourite piece of music is Rage Against the Machine's self titled album - perfection.
I am Sam, the Programmes Manager. I look after the people we interact with on a day to day basis - freelancers, families, and most importantly, the young people we teach, writing timetables and organising events, both internal and with external partners. My favourite piece of music is Rage Against the Machine's self titled album - perfection.
Anna Kerr
Development Director
I’m Anna and I am responsible for overseeing all fundraising and marketing activity to ensure a sustainable future for Olympias. A typical day for me can involve anything from looking after valued donors, funders, and working with corporate partners - to bid writing, running campaigns and appeals, or organising fundraising events! My favourite part of the role is developing creative partnerships, and the Christmas Concert is a particular highlight to see our amazing young people perform and grow in confidence.
Outside of my professional life, I enjoy expressing my creativity through singing and music composition, but my greatest joy is spending time with my toddler!
I’m Anna and I am responsible for overseeing all fundraising and marketing activity to ensure a sustainable future for Olympias. A typical day for me can involve anything from looking after valued donors, funders, and working with corporate partners - to bid writing, running campaigns and appeals, or organising fundraising events! My favourite part of the role is developing creative partnerships, and the Christmas Concert is a particular highlight to see our amazing young people perform and grow in confidence.
Outside of my professional life, I enjoy expressing my creativity through singing and music composition, but my greatest joy is spending time with my toddler!
Sarah Ampil
Finance Coordinator
Hello, Sarah here - I’m the Development and Finance Manager for Olympias. Between monitoring and reporting on our income and spending, and supporting with community fundraising, donor stewardship and bid writing, my week can be quite varied but I love seeing it come together every time our young musicians pick up their instruments or find their voice.
Out of the office, you can find me donning the viking horns as an operatic soprano, devising and producing for Lights On Theatre or belting out Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now” while doing the dishes.
Hello, Sarah here - I’m the Development and Finance Manager for Olympias. Between monitoring and reporting on our income and spending, and supporting with community fundraising, donor stewardship and bid writing, my week can be quite varied but I love seeing it come together every time our young musicians pick up their instruments or find their voice.
Out of the office, you can find me donning the viking horns as an operatic soprano, devising and producing for Lights On Theatre or belting out Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now” while doing the dishes.
Tamsin Sandford Smith
Programmes & Finance Coordinator
Hello, I'm Tamsin, and I'm the Programmes & Finance Co-ordinator for Olympias. My job involves making sure that all our teachers, students and instruments are in the right place at the right time… and that there are always enough biscuits to go around! I work with Sam to liase with our many partners and organise programmes events, and help Sarah to keep an eye on the charity finances.
When I'm not at work, I'm regularly spotted in the RNCM café (where I'm studying classical singing) or braving the Manchester weather on my bike!
Hello, I'm Tamsin, and I'm the Programmes & Finance Co-ordinator for Olympias. My job involves making sure that all our teachers, students and instruments are in the right place at the right time… and that there are always enough biscuits to go around! I work with Sam to liase with our many partners and organise programmes events, and help Sarah to keep an eye on the charity finances.
When I'm not at work, I'm regularly spotted in the RNCM café (where I'm studying classical singing) or braving the Manchester weather on my bike!
Facilitators
Instrumental Specialists
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