Multi-Story Orchestra Appoints New Leadership
Multi-Story Orchestra is delighted to announce the appointment of Emma Doherty as Artistic Director. Emma will join the organisation in April 2026, following Kate Whitley's planned departure after nearly 15 years of pioneering work placing young people at the heart of orchestral music.
© Ben Reason
Emma is a musician and stage director whose practice has co-creation at its core. She has led projects in prisons and young offender institutes; with refugees and asylum seekers; with young people not in education, employment or training; in schools and beyond. Her recent work includes devising The Giant's Harp for Scottish Opera, which toured primary schools across Scotland, and writing and performing music with people in the criminal justice system through Irene Taylor Trust. Emma has also been at the helm of youth-led productions including Making Manchester, a multimedia show about real migration stories, and The Sapling, co-created with the Royal Opera House Youth Company.
As a Peckham resident, Emma brings a meaningful connection to Multi-Story’s community. With a demonstrated commitment to art as an essential tool for empowerment, Emma’s values align closely with Multi-Story’s ethos ofcreativity, collaboration and change.
Emma Doherty said: “It’s a real honour to be appointed Artistic Director of Multi-Story Orchestra. The organisation’s ethos deeply resonates with me, and I am committed to ensuring young people remain at the heart of bold, transformative, high-quality music making and storytelling. I’m excited to work with MSO's brilliant young people, alongside Rachel, the team, the musicians and the board, to shape a collaborative and ambitious future together.”
Multi-Story has also appointed Rachel Louis as permanent Executive Director after serving as Interim Executive Director for the past six months. Rachel brings over 16 years of experience at the intersection of culture and social change, including roles as Interim CEO at Coney and Managing Director at Borealis, a festival for experimental music in Norway. Her track record in strategic planning, financial management and building inclusive cultures makes her well-suited to lead Multi-Story’s continued growth.
© Thor Brødreskift
Rachel Louis said: “I’m delighted to take on the Executive Director role at Multi-Story. MSO has an incredible track record of challenging traditions, hierarchies and systemic inequalities. I look forward to continuing this work with Emma and breathing life into her artistic vision, ensuring that it is talent, rather than privilege, that defines who is heard.”
Melissa Wong, Chair of the Board, added: “We are thrilled to appoint Emma Doherty as Artistic Director at this transformative moment for Multi-Story. Emma is a trailblazer in co-creation, weaving social justice into the highest level of music-making.
To support this vision, we are equally delighted to confirm Rachel Louis as permanent Executive Director. Over the last six months, Rachel has proven to be an exceptional leader, building the inclusive and resilient culture necessary for bold creative risks to flourish. Together, Emma’s artistic vision and Rachel’s strategic expertise move us toward a model of shared power, furthering the depth and sustainability of Multi-Story's impact.”
These appointments mark a significant milestone as Multi-Story prepares to celebrate 15 years of youth-led music making. Rachel and Emma share a strong vision of honouring Multi-Story’s community roots while driving forward new artistic ambition – and bring complementary skillsets to make it happen.
