Many of the young people we work with have experienced displacement, conflict, exclusion or long periods of uncertainty. Too often they're defined by those experiences rather than by their talent.

Sound Assembly exists to change that.

Music as a tool for belonging and change.

Our Story

Three men working at a DJ booth with Pioneer equipment, in front of a black curtain, with headphones and connected cables, in an indoor setting.

Sound Assembly was born from a simple belief: talent is everywhere, but access isn't.

Over the past decade, we've worked alongside refugees, displaced people and other marginalised young people, witnessing extraordinary creativity too often overlooked because of the barriers people face, not a lack of talent.

Through programmes developed with organisations including Southbank Centre, Roundhouse, Counterpoints Arts, Compass Collective, British Red Cross and Oxfam, we've seen music become a powerful way for young people to express themselves, build confidence, find community and be recognised as artists.

Sound Assembly brings that experience together to create long-term creative pathways shaped by collaboration, care and artistic excellence.

Mission

We use music to nurture creativity, strengthen communities and help young people build futures defined by their talent, not their circumstances.

Vision

We envision a cultural sector where refugees, displaced people and other underrepresented young people are recognised as artists, leaders and creative contributors; not defined by the barriers they've faced.

Two people, a man and a woman, are DJing at an event under a black tent, with DJ equipment and speakers in front of them. The man wears glasses, a cap with orange camouflage design, and a white t-shirt. The woman has short dark hair, wears a red headband, a floral shirt, and is holding her face with both hands, looking at the DJ equipment.

What sets us apart

Every young person deserves access to high-quality creative experiences led by practising artists and industry professionals.

Creative excellence first

We create spaces where young people build confidence, support one another and become part of a lasting creative network.

Community that lasts

From mentoring and live performance to radio broadcasts and industry partnerships, we create experiences that open doors to long-term creative progression.

Opportunity Beyond workshops

Meet our Team

Sound Assembly brings together artists, educators and leaders with experience across music, culture, education, wellbeing and community development.

A young man with curly dark hair and light brown skin is sitting in front of a colorful graffiti wall. He is wearing a black long sleeve shirt and is looking to the side with a slight smile.

Kensaye Russell

Kensaye is a music producer, DJ and creative facilitator with over a decade of experience delivering opportunities through music. Before founding Sound Assembly, he led Our Heartbeats, developing projects with Southbank Centre, Roundhouse, Counterpoints Arts and Oxfam, creating pathways for refugees and displaced young people into the creative industries.

Founder & Creative Director
A middle-aged woman with curly gray hair and glasses, wearing a black turtleneck, resting her chin on her hand, in front of a green curtain.

Dominique Le Gendre

Dominique Le Gendre is an award-winning composer and Artistic Director of StrongBack Productions. She brings decades of experience in artistic leadership, cultural partnerships and creative strategy, helping Sound Assembly's long-term vision and commitment to artistic excellence.

Strategic Director
A woman with long, straight, dark hair and light highlights, wearing a black t-shirt with purple and white text, smiling softly, in front of a plain gray background.

Shabana is a psychotherapist and community practitioner with a background in senior leadership across the fashion industry. Drawing on experience in both corporate and community settings, she helps shape Sound Assembly's approach to wellbeing, inclusion and participant support.

Director of Wellbeing & Inclusion

Shabana Shah

A smiling woman with short gray hair, wearing glasses, a white shirt, and a navy sweater, standing against a gray background.

Professor Elisa Van Waeyenberge

Elisa is Dean of the College of Social Sciences at SOAS University of London and Professor of Development Economics. She also directs Claytime, a community pottery studio. She brings expertise in governance, strategy and sustainable organisational development.

Non-Executive Director