Music is an innate part of our physiology; everybody grows up with some sort of exposure to music. Parents sing to you, the radio plays in the background, you listen to bands that you like - music just is a part of life.

We’re wired to love music. This has been a huge part of why I think music is so important for young people!

The sense of pride that students develop when they step outside their comfort zone and share their music with an audience is just incredible. Seeing them stand up, perform and realise how far they have come is a wonderful thing to witness. 

For me, those moments really capture what music is all about: growth, confidence, connection and, above all, the joy of sharing something you love with other people. 

I am delighted to be joining the Music in Action team as Head of Education and Lower Strings Teacher, following a career spanning more than 20 years in music education.

Last month, Luke was here in Jersey for a sell-out performance of evening West End Classics.

Best known for playing the iconic roles of the Phantom as well as Jean Valjean in the recent arena tour and West End run of Les Misérables, we find out why music matters to him.

Manon Taris was born in France and moved to the UK in 2019 to seek adventure and challenge and began her UK career in the west end production of The Phantom of the Opera in which she performed for 2 years. She then joined the company of the international tour of The Phantom of the Opera’s sequel, Love Never Dies, in the leading role of Christine Daae.

Manon will be taking part in Phantom of The Opera and West End Classics here in Jersey in June at Jersey Opera House. Read more below, as to why music matters to Manon.

Finghin is performing at this year’s Liberation International Music Festival with internationally renowned stars for an evening of “romantic fire” with Brahms, Haydn’s fiery Gypsy melodies, and a Paganini showpiece. We sat down with him to find out why music matters to him.

The world-renowned cellist and conductor David Cohen embodies a unique combination of qualities making him one of the most versatile and exciting musicians of this day. He has been internationally acclaimed for his remarkable instrumental mastery, generous musicianship, vast experience in varied repertoires combined with a flamboyant charisma.

David will also be performing as part of this year’s Liberation International Music Festival, so today, we asked him ‘Why Does Music Matter to you?”. Read on below to find out why!

Georgina Shelton is Head of Activities, Events and Wellbeing at LV group, with whom Music in Action have a partnership with to provide live music sessions throughout LV care homes across the Island. Read more on why music matters to Georgina.

Jack Bowley is part of the Lilium Choir from Oxford’s Magdalen College, who will be performing in Jersey on 10th January 2026. Read more on why music matters to Jack.

Seabourn Cruise Line has carved a distinct place in the world of luxury cruises. Known for its intimate, upscale voyages, Seabourn offers an exclusive travel experience with an emphasis on personalized service, fine dining, and exploration.

They have kindly sponsored a series of events which have supported our bursary scheme and also enabled us to purchase new instruments which are vital to help us to continue to expand the scheme.

Here we had a chat with them to find out why they chose to support Music in Action.

Tim Kliphuis is an internationally acclaimed Dutch violinist and composer, celebrated for his unique blend of classical, gypsy jazz, and folk traditions. Renowned for his improvisational mastery and collaborations with artists like Nigel Kennedy and the Netherlands Chamber Orchestra, Kliphuis bridges genres with effortless elegance. His performances captivate audiences worldwide, from the Amsterdam Concertgebouw to Carnegie Hall, combining virtuosity with a deep passion for musical storytelling.

Here he tells us in his own words, why music matters to him.

My first public was performance was at the age of 10. It was the very first international guitar festival in China and I was the only child performing.  Following the performance the Spanish Ambassador to …. Read More

Laura Pick is a singer and actress based in London who has been in various stage productions around the UK. Her credits in theatre include playing understudy Maria in The Sound Of Music at the Regent’s Park Open Theatre, a featured ensemble and Dr Osgood in Anyone Can Whistle at the Union Theatre. Her most recent role was of Elphaba in Wicked at the Apollo Victoria.

Laura was recently in Jersey as part of our Jersey Sings programme for 2025. She sang at two ‘Night at the Musical’ events which she sang classics from Wicked, as well as other West End classics and she also sang at Music in Actions Jersey Sing’s event with over 800 local school children.

Here she tells us in her own words, why music matters to her.

Flora MacAngus, curator and actor in the immersive theater production “A Soldier with No Name”, that tells the story of local legend Claude Cahun: a French surrealist artist, trailblazing androgyne of gender politics, and self-proclaimed insurgent rebel against the occupiers of Jersey in World War 2, with the blends of music and Cahun’s words, offering a captivating multi-sensory journey of art and emotion. Here she tells us in her own words, why music matters to her.

I am immensely proud to be from Jersey and Liberation Day has always been a special time to celebrate resistance against tyranny, remember those who are no longer with us, and empower people today to stand up united for what is right. The concert will be a huge celebration of the basic human right to be free, whilst offering a time to reflect on those in the world today who are still fighting for it, and how we here in Jersey can help bring freedom for everyone around the world.

Suzi Digby, directing the ORA Singers, chats with us about why music matters!

Eamonn Dougan, Jersey Chamber Orchestra's Chief Conductor, chats with us about why music matters!

Vicki Genfan's evening of folk, jazz, pop and world music will be taking place on 9th November, part of Music in Action’s 2024 International Guitar Festival! All the way from the US, Vicki will be bringing powerful percussive ‘slap-tap’ acoustic technique using 29 alternate tunings, with soulful vocals that captivate audiences worldwide.

Renowned international violinist and acclaimed composer Harriet Mackenzie is collaborating with legendary guitarist Carlos Bonell in a unique guitar-violin concert, part of Music in Action’s 2024 International Guitar Festival. Here, so talks to us about her work as a performer, composer, arranger and her passionfor bringing music to those with little or no access to live music.