Abigail Noble-Coates first volunteered for Musical Connections as a student at York St John University, where she gained a first class music degree. Since graduating, Abigail has become an accomplished community musician joining the Musical Connections team, and following that gone onto managing the project. Alongside project management, she works as the music teacher at Westfield Primary Community School in Acomb, in addition to teaching vocals & piano. As well as teaching, she also performs regularly at weddings and events.
Our musicians
Charlotte Yandell graduated from the University of York in 2019 with an MA in Music Psychology. She’s always been hugely passionate about the power of music and its effect on health and wellbeing, and thoroughly enjoyed volunteering for Musical Connections throughout her degree course. Having made York her home, she rejoined the MC team in 2019, and now leads 3 of our weekly music groups, alongside being responsible for the joint project management of the charity. She frequently contributes to the musical life of the city: regularly performing with the Ebor Singers and leading Sunday evensong services at St Lawrence’s Church.
Bethan Kelly graduated from the University of York with a BA in Music in 2023. A keen viola player and singer, she enjoyed involvement in a wide range of ensembles and community music projects throughout her university years which allowed her to experience the positive impact music can have on everyday life. This is something that she now hopes to share in her work as a community musician and music educator. Since 2021, she has co-run a social media project, That Sounds Fun, which spreads the joy of music making and singing with anyone that would like to get involved, a message that she aims to keep at the centre of her work with MC.
Amy Walker completed her BA Music degree at the University of York in 2019, and subsequently graduated with an MA in Performance Practice in 2021, where she was also the recipient of the Dame Janet Baker Scholarship. Having completed her studies, Amy now works as an educator and administrator for the arts, and regularly sings with the Ebor Singers, The White Rose Consort and St Lawrence's Evensong Choir in York. Alongside this, she's also been a part of a number of nationally acclaimed music schemes, such as Genesis Sixteen. Amy enjoys a variety of musical styles, from classical to pop, and believes that music can bring excitement and enrichment to a person's life, whether as an education, a science, a form of therapy, or just for fun.
Debbie Feehan is a retired primary school Deputy Headteacher. She began teaching in Huddersfield in 1986 after completing a BEd Hons degree in Music and Education at De La Salle College in Manchester. Debbie has always had a passion for music and there is nothing she enjoys more than sharing that passion with others. From running the school choir to leading a Samba Band, teaching ukulele and recorder, singing in choirs and playing the cello in orchestras, Debbie has always been involved in music. The link to Musical Connections happened many years ago for Debbie when she was invited by them to become involved in an intergenerational project at Woolnough House. The relationship with M C was ignited and Debbie has been involved with them in one form or another ever since. Being semi-retired from teaching has meant that Debbie is now able to join the MC team and lead a group of her own.
