About Octagon Music Hub
Octagon Music Hub exists to ensure that all children and young people across Dorset and Somerset can access high-quality, inclusive music education. We provide strategic leadership, fund and coordinate partnerships, and work with schools, music providers and communities to strengthen music education across the region.
Octagon Music Hub forms part of the national network of Music Hubs funded by Arts Council England, working in partnership with the Department for Education to support the delivery of the National Plan for Music Education. Together, this national framework aims to ensure that all children and young people can access high-quality, inclusive music education, regardless of background or circumstance.
Working across Dorset and Somerset, the Hub provides strategic leadership for music education by investing in partnerships, coordinating activity, and supporting collaboration between schools, music providers, cultural organisations and communities. The Hub plays a system-level role — helping to strengthen local music education infrastructure, build capacity across the sector and align activity with both local priorities and national policy.
As part of Somerset Council, Octagon Music Hub works closely with education, culture and community partners to respond to local need, champion inclusion and support clear progression routes for children and young people at every stage of their musical journey.
OMH Team
Adam Burgan
Arts & Entertainment Venues Manager for Somerset Council, Director of Culture for Yeovil Town Council
Adam has been the Theatre Manager of The Octagon Theatre since 2009 and Westlands Entertainment Venue since 2016 and line manages the Arts Engagement & Outreach Service that became an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation in 2023. Adam went to university at the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts where he gained his degree in Arts, Music and Entertainment Management. He has worked at Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and Unity Theatre, Liverpool. His is a founding director of Yeovil Literary Festival and is the Musical Director of The Octagon Choir.
Annette Burghes
Octagon Music Hub Manager & Inclusion Lead
Annette brings over 30 years’ experience leading socially engaged arts organisations, with a strong focus on inclusion, partnership working and community impact. She has held senior roles with pioneering organisations including Graeae Theatre, Collective Encounters and Evolve Music, and has extensive experience working with local authorities to connect creative practice, research and policy. Annette holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Master’s in Research. In her role with Octagon Music Hub, Annette provides strategic leadership to support inclusive, high-quality music education across Dorset & Somerset.
Peter Davies
Senior Procurement & Finance Officer
Strategic Advisory Board
Claire Tudge
Independent Chair
Alison Jeffery
Interim Music Hub Strategic Lead & Strategic Manager (Curriculum & Training)
Nick Brace
Artistic Director, Actiontrack Performance Company (Vice-Chair)
Ruth Cohen
Chief Executive / Artistic Director, B Sharp
Jess Kirby
Senior Programme Manager, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Lisa Gray
Interim Principal Lead, Best Education for All, Dorset Council
Sophie Dunn
Programme Director (Music in Education), Live Music Now
Scott Welcomme
Music Coordinator, Ferndown Middle School
Amelia Walker
Service Director for Education, Somerset Council
Chris Woods
Musician, composer and featured artist
Joanne Green
Professional violinist and violin teacher, Wells Cathedral School
Julian Breeze
Composer, conductor and vocal coach
Kathryn Foyle
Course Manager for Music, Richard Huish College
Matt Holmes
Head of Sixth Form, Yeovil College