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

Founder & Creative Director

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 other programmes, developing projects with organisations including Southbank Centre, Roundhouse, Counterpoints Arts and Oxfam.

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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Prof. Elisa Van Waeyenberge

Elisa is Deputy Vice Chancellor (Education)/Provost at SOAS University of London. She also directs Claytime, a community pottery studio. She brings expertise in governance, strategy and sustainable organisational development.

Non-Executive Director

Buay is a DJ and Sound Assembly alumnus who brings lived experience as a young refugee and former programme participant. Having performed across the UK, in France and within the Sudanese community, he is passionate about giving back to the next generation of aspiring DJs and bringing a young person’s perspective to Sound Assembly’s programmes and development.

Alumni & Youth Representative

BUAY GENG