Core team

Thursa Sanderson OBE

Chief Executive

Thursa has led the organisation since 2002, previously having been involved as fundraising consultant. She has wide experience in the arts as a musician, visual arts practitioner and consultant. Starting her career in the community of Wester Hailes, she then became the first Co-ordinator of Artlink Edinburgh and the Lothians, inspiring her lifelong commitment to the arts and disability field. She believes in the transformational power of music, active participation in creative activity and access to the highest quality cultural learning experiences for all.

Pete Sparkes

Artistic Director

Pete was appointed as Artistic Director in December 2009. He joined the team at Drake Music Scotland as a freelance associate musician in 2005, leading projects in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Stirling. In 2007 he was appointed as Education & Training Officer and spent a busy few years training teachers and musicians to use music technology in a variety of different settings. He is completely convinced that making music is fun, good for us in many ways, and we should be doing more of it – all of us! He was Education Officer of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra from 2002-2005. As a freelance project leader he has led creative projects with many different participant groups for various organisations including: Drake Music Scotland, Scottish Book Trust, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Artlink Central, and Jessie’s Fund.

Emma Lines

Head of Learning

Emma Lines joined DMS in 2012 as Programme Manager, and is now Head of Learning managing the DMS Learn programme. Leading on the strategy for Figurenotes, and young people’s music making both in school and transitioning out of school, working with UK, National and International partners. Emma is Commissioner for the International Society for Music Education’s Commission on Special Music Education and Music Therapy, and Board Trustee for Music Education Council. Emma has also been active in the MEC ASN/SEND Working Group since it began, and as an outcome of her contributions in the working group, Emma Co-Wrote and designed “The Short Guide To Accessible Music Education” which won Best SEND Resource in 2018. Emma owns ELM School of Music and has been teaching pupils of all ages woodwind and piano since 2002. Emma was previously Co-Chair for New Music Scotland and Board Director and Co-Chair of the Edinburgh Youth Music Forum. Her experience prior to Drake Music Scotland was as a Youth Music Initiative Coordinator for Edinburgh City Council and as a Woodwind Instructor in Local Authorities across the Lothians. Emma also had her first tutor book, Recorder Roundabout published in 2008.

Lauren Clay

Figurenotes Officer

Lauren joined Drake Music Scotland as Figurenotes Officer in March 2012. As the first port of call for all Figurenotes queries, she will act as the connection between Drake Music Scotland and Figurenotes users. Lauren is also a freelance violinist and instrumental teacher, enabling her to understand the needs of teachers and musicians using Figurenotes. Lauren has a keen interest in the effect music and music making has for those with disabilities. She strongly believes that everyone has the right to make music, and that nothing should act as a barrier.

Rebecca Di Rollo

Figurenotes Officer

Rebecca Di Rollo joined Drake Music Scotland as Figurenotes Officer Maternity Cover in January 2019. Rebecca is also a freelance community musician, sound artist and Youth Music Initiative Coordinator.  Prior to joining the DMS team, Rebecca’s experience in schools, special needs and early years provisions enabled her to experience the unequivocal social and mental development of people who participate in the arts.

Bas Gentenaar

Technology Officer

Bas joined Drake Music Scotland in May 2018, and provides all-round administrative support to the Drake Music Scotland core team, its Associate musicians and its participants. Previously, Bas worked as administrator, ensemble tutor and music educator in London and Cambridge. With over 20 years’ experience as a performer and educator, Bas remains passionate about the transformative power of collaborative music making.

Caitlin Walker

Project Co-ordinator

Caitlin joined Drake Music Scotland in March 2023. Having previously worked in Learning teams for organisations across Scottish heritage, she has years of experience in delivering exciting and engaging learning experiences for a variety of audiences. She has a great love for music, and an even greater passion for supporting others to express their own love of music. As Project Co-ordinator, she organises projects delivered in schools all across Scotland as part of the DMS Learn programme.