Meet our people.
Spark the Noise is entirely led and staffed by a community of girls, women, trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming people. Many of us also share additional protected characteristics and lived experiences of the people we support, as well as holding a wealth of professional experience in music, culture, community arts, mental health and policy-making.
Read on to find out more about the people working behind the scenes across our leadership team and Board of Trustees…
Laura Whitticase
SHE/HER | DIRECTOR
Laura is a mother, musician, writer, facilitator, strategist and fundraiser. She brings 20 years’ experience working across strategy, policy, funding and organisational development in the music industry, charity, education and arts sectors to Spark the Noise, alongside a deep-rooted passion for building more equitable spaces for people to cultivate joy and share their creativity.
Karin Grönkvist
SHE/THEY | HEAD OF PROGRAMMES
Karin is a musician and community music practitioner originally from Sweden. She has been leading community youth and adult music programs for 8 years in London and Sweden.
They’re passionate about improving access and participation in music through redressing inequity from an intersectional perspective. Outside of her work in community music, she works as a songwriter and performer with her bands Junodef and Widget.
Ishani Jasmin
SHE/HER | CO-CHAIR
Ishani is a London-based project manager with a passion for diversifying the music scene. Outside of their day job, they actively contribute to initiatives like Decolonise Fest, Girls Rock! London, and First Timers Fest, diversifying the music scene one baby band at a time. They also run Decolonise Choir, creating a space for people of global majority to sing together. Additionally, Ishani fronts punk band Breakup Haircut, and is an active member of F*Choir and the LSE Choir.
Sarah Higham
CO-CHAIR
Sarah is a sound engineer, singer/songwriter and event producer, who also works for Arts Council England as their Senior Manager of Business Development. Previously she has been a trustee for Brighter Sound and Andro & Eve, and is currently on the board of her local community owned multi-purposed venue Stretford Public Hall. Sarah has recently joined the board as Co-Chair with Ishani and is very much looking forward to being part of the amazing team at GRL.
Daisy Swift
SHE/THEY | TRUSTEE
Daisy is Director of Learning and Participation at Wigmore Hall, where they collaborate with artists; participants; and healthcare, social care and education organisations to design and facilitate creative, participatory music making programmes that aim to improve wellbeing. Daisy is undertaking a CHASE-funded PhD in anthropology, music and gender at Goldsmiths, University of London.
Kai Girling-Weeks
they/them | Trustee
Kai is currently the Head of Operations at The Kite Trust, a charity supporting LGBTQ+ youth and specialises in fundraising, finance, impact and evaluation, policies, systems and processes. They have first-hand experience of the barriers facing women, trans and non-binary folks in the music scene and are keen to work with GRL to dismantle these and platform marginalised genders.
Vic So
Trustee
Vic has been a GRL volunteer for quite a few years and is very excited to be one of its trustees. She is usually part of the logistics team, making sure camps run smoothly, from setting up band rooms, to making sure we have enough craft to last the week. It gives her a lot of time to interact with participants and see first hand the changes we are making. She is also part of an amazing trans-inclusive women’s choir, who has been taking up space and making a noise since 2009! .
Kelli Blanchett
Trustee
Kelli is a disabled musician from the Midlands, residing in London. She has worked in the cultural sector for 10 years, spending 6 years at Arts Council England. She is a disability advocate, concentrating on access within the music industry, working in partnership with Attitude is Everything, and as an ambassador at the Featured Artist Coalition. Kelli also performs as a session musician and as part of the musical team with the artist Self Esteem as well as releasing her own solo music.
Ishani Jasmin
(co-chair)
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Join our Community
Volunteer with us and help amplify the voices of marginalised girls, women, trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming people. Join a community driven by activism, empathy, and joyful celebration, as we create empowering, inclusive spaces that model real alternatives to exclusion.
Together, we can fight for gender justice in the music industry and beyond, while supporting creativity, confidence, and careers in music.