Natasha Hendry: POWER UP Industry Professional
Short Bio: Natasha Hendry is a research psychologist specialising in music participation, particularly in the music industry and music education for marginalised and underrepresented groups. She considers herself a social justice researcher and for the past 4 years has been researching for a PhD on the experiences of Black children in UK music education, with the purpose of developing a racially literate framework for schools and music education settings. She frequently consults for Higher Education music institutes on Decolonising practices and sits on industry and education panels to advise about diversity, inclusion and how it intersects with mental health. She has 30 years experience in the music industry as a professional vocalist, ran a private vocal coaching practice for 20 years and is founder and musical director of a community pop choir since 2015. Natasha is a non-executive director on the board for ‘Sing Up’ – a music education organisation in England that provides schools and teachers with online resources for singing and music-making activities. She still performs professionally alongside her research and social activism activities and is looking forward to completing and receiving her doctorate by the end of 2025.
Description of activity: Establish myself as an expert in my field, publish my work and further develop and launch my racially literate framework for music education.