dolan hewison

This has led him to act as a consultant for other arts companies on organisational development and fundraising as well as an advisor to educationalists and the music industry

As well as his events background, Dolan brings a wide range and knowledge of the arts from 'Grime' and 'Dub Step' culture too brokering innovative international work between major partners and organisations from the PRSF too the RNCM

karen jupp

Karen began work with events through her involvement in the local band scene of the 1990’s working at the Roadhouse.

From there she became involved in GMMAZ working alongside Dolan to set up the company and programme. During her time there as a Project Manager she was responsible for the huge participative music programme the company delivered culminating in two large scale music and multi media performances at the Bridgewater Hall in 2006 and the Lowry in 2007 which involved over 2000 children and young people in the process.

Karen has also during this time worked on In The City, D-Percussion, Platform 4, Pride, Liverpool Capital Of Culture, Shine, International Womens Week as well as an Agent for SJM. With an excellent network in the participative arts sector as well as 10 years of experience in the music and events industry Karen is equally comfortable in the corporate and arts sectors.

paula testa

With a CV that already includes Marketing Manchester, XTRAX, Sparkle Street (Mr Scruff, the Earlies, Lucy and the Caterpillar) , and GMMAZ.  Paula has packed a lot of experience into her young working life. As well as acting as tour organiser and manager for the DJ Mr Scruff she has worked on the comms and pr for both GMMAZ and Marketing Manchester.

Paula has a reputation as a first class organiser as well as a person who brings a determination to see things through to the end.  It was her role as production manager of the GMMAZ performances at the The Lowry that brought them to the attention of David Price, National Manager of Musical Futures. He commented that the show set  the benchmark  for its production and performance for all such projects nationally.

Paula brings not only theses standards but also her commercial music industry contacts and experts to the team at CDH.

sam pepper

Sam has worked freelance within the public and private sector for over ten years and has a strong understanding and wealth of experience working directly with arts organisations and artists. Sam has produced over 85 music events in several cities in the UK and European countries and has delivered over 100 arts workshops on behalf of local authorities, local government and various public and private sector organisations.

Sam’s background ensures that he has a knowledgeable overview of how arts organisations and training practices can dovetail into wider arts and creative and in particular music industries. Sam has worked as a consultant on several initiatives, which include the City Growth Strategy, a Manchester based strategy to develop the wealth of culture and heritage within its knowledge economy.

Research projects include developing the Step up Your Game programme with GMMAZ (Greater Manchester Music Action Zone) and the Youth Music Mentoring programme. Sam has also delivered training and seminars for both the public and private sector, delivering a seminar on “Pitching for Corporate and Statutory Tenders” for Youth Music as well as delivering bespoke training days to music leaders and artists on their professional development.