UK Music Chief Executive to Highlight Accessibility and Diversity in Music at Boston ABLE Assembly Conference

11 April 2025 - Press release

 

UK Music Chief Executive Tom Kiehl will discuss the importance of breaking down barriers to entry to the music industry at the 2025 ABLE Assembly Conference, which takes place at the Berklee College of Music in Boston from April 11-13.

At this year’s conference the Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education (BIAAE) will host a cohort of leading UK organizations from the field of Music and Disability as they explore the subject of accessibility in music and shine a light on some of the best practices for making music education accessible to all.

The 2025 conference presents a great opportunity to share accessible music practices and expertise between the UK and US, as well as building on new research and economic opportunities for adapted musical instrument design and accessibility.

The ABLE Assembly works to provide professional development opportunities in the field of accessible arts education, bringing together educators, artists, researchers, policymakers, school administrators, program administrators, and students to share best practices, explore new research, and learn from each other.

UK Music Chief Executive Tom Kiehl said: “Music is the ultimate form of communication and has the power to inspire, break down barriers and overcome boundaries. As Chief Executive of UK Music, the umbrella body for the UK music industry, it is a great privilege to represent the organization at the ABLE Assembly. I am keen to share UK Music’s approach to diversity with delegates at the Assembly and discuss how we can collectively make the industry truly accessible to all. There is much that can be learnt from this international event, and I encourage everyone to get involved.”

Tom Kiehl, who will be giving his address on Saturday April 12, will be joined by a delegation of prominent UK speakers at this year’s conference. These include Tim Yates, Research and Innovation Executive, Drake Music; John Kelly, Musician, Drake Music; John Shortell, Head of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion, Musicians’ Union; Jay Pocknell, Music Support Officer, RNIB; Adrian Bossey, Head of Subject, Falmouth University and Chair of the Association for Events Management Education; and Andrew Lansley, Campaign and Commercial Partnerships Consultant, Attitude is Everything.

Dr. Rhoda Bernard, Founder and Managing Director of the Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education (BIAAE) said: “The excitement and anticipation for the 2025 ABLE Assembly is off the charts. Our esteemed presenters and the level of expertise they bring to this event, along with the beautiful artistry that will be on display during the performances embodies the essential nature of our mission: to ensure that the arts are accessible to all individuals. This year, we are thrilled to feature artists, educators, and arts professionals from the United Kingdom in several presentations, a performance, and a music tech extravaganza. What a fantastic opportunity for international exchange at the ABLE Assembly Conference!”

The three-day conference will conclude with a keynote workshop led by Drake Music to discuss AMIC, the Accessible Musical Instrument Collection. AMIC is a long-term UK-led project to develop the world’s leading accessible musical instrument collection, information resource and research programme. The aim is that AMIC will have a long-term and far-reaching impact on many of the structural issues that inhibit the availability, cost and success of accessible musical instruments worldwide.

John Kelly, Musician, Drake Music said: “I am honoured as a disabled musician to have been invited by Drake Music to the ABLE Assembly conference in Boston. I am very excited to be demonstrating the magic of the Kellycaster, a ground-breaking, accessible, custom-made guitar that with global interest has taken accessibility to another level of creativity and possibility.”

John Shortell, Head of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion, Musicians’ Union said: “I am excited to represent the UK Musicians’ Union at ABLE Assembly Conference and share learnings from the Musicians Census: Disabled Musicians Insight Report. Engaging in a cultural exchange where disabled musicians’ voices are front and centre is vital in creating a more accessible and equitable music industry. This conference is an amazing space to share ideas, innovations and come together to drive real change.”

Jay Pocknell, Music Support Officer, RNIB said: “I’m very excited to join the UK Takeover to share the work being done by RNIB (the Royal National Institute of Blind People), Sound Without Sight, and other partners, to ensure that blind and partially sighted people can experience equitable access to music-making in future. My primary focus will be the availability of music scores in accessible formats, such as braille music and modified stave notation. I will share the work of the Accessible Music Publishing Action Group, which includes many mainstream UK music publishers, and demonstrate the technological developments that have revolutionized access to music notation in the UK in recent years.”

Adrian Bossey, Head of Subject, Falmouth University said: “I am really excited to be presenting the LAAA research projects at ABLE Assembly. Sharing our process of investigation alongside insights generated will raise the profile of UK research into inclusive live music experiences and create new collaborative opportunities.

Andrew Lansley, Campaign and Commercial Partnerships Consultant, Attitude is Everything said: “It has been an honour to coordinate the UK programme for ABLE Assembly this year and so excited to share the ‘best of British’ from the accessible music community.  I was invited to attend ABLE Assembly last year and it was obvious how much we could learn from each other. I look forward to discovering all the ways our sectors could collaborate to improve access to music and performance for all”

 

Full conference programme: https://college.berklee.edu/able