OUR PEOPLE

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 using music to create opportunities for young people. Before founding Sound Assembly, he led Our Heartbeats, developing projects with organisations including Southbank Centre, Roundhouse, Counterpoints Arts and Oxfam.

Founder & Creative Director
READ KENSAYE'S STORY
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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
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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

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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