Paul Whittaker lists those who have inspired his professional life.
Richard Stilgoe
Without Richard its unlikely that Music and the Deaf (MatD) would even exist. Richard invited me to the first Share Music course back in the late 80s a fantastic week of making music with a great variety of people and truly inspiring leaders. Ever since hes been a huge supporter of MatD and a great personal help too. Richard himself has such a range of talents and his Orpheus Centre is testament to his vision and enthusiasm of making music available to all.
Hedley Teale
Mr Teale was my music teacher at Belle Vue Boys School, Bradford. A fantastic teacher, musician and conductor, who never saw my deafness as a barrier and was instrumental (pun intended!) in my becoming a musician. His enthusiasm for music and his ability to communicate it are sorely missed by many, and I only wish hed lived long enough to see what MatD has achieved.
Sue Rosborough
Sue joined MatD five years ago as our Administrator and her business skills and knowledge have played a vital part in helping me to learn and develop management skills. In addition to her role at MatD, Sue is administrator for Halifax Young Singers and knows many people in the Yorkshire arts scene, which is hugely beneficial. I genuinely would be lost without Sue, whose confidence, creativity and fundraising skills are simply amazing, and whose drive and tenacity to succeed continually spur me on.
Cameron Mackintosh
Ive been lucky enough to work for Cameron, providing sign language interpreted performances of his productions, and hes a great example of someone who started at the bottom and worked their way up to the top. Hes always on the ball, a shrewd businessman, yet always has time to encourage and develop peoples skills. Anyone who could persuade the Arts Council, two decades or more ago, to provide funding for a tour of a musical deserves respect!
Megan Robinson
Not all our gurus are in business and the arts, theyre sometimes just people who we come across and affect our lives in remarkable ways. Megan is such a person: shes now in her early 20s, deaf, and has a rare disease called Idiopathic Dystonia. Eleven years ago MatD was asked if we could provide money for a piano for Megan. Unfortunately we couldnt, but instead I got a group of friends to put on a concert and get the funds needed. Megan got her piano and although her condition has continued to deteriorate, her love of live and determination continue to shine. Shes a great inspiration of someone overcoming the odds and Im proud to know her.
Paul Whittaker OBE is Artistic Director of Music and the Deaf.
w: http://www.matd.org.uk