Kate runs The Orchestra, overseeing all our work as well as writing music with everyone and playing piano. When she’s not at Multi-Story, she does woodwork and helps look after a wildlife meadow

www.katewhitley.net

Alys works alongside Kate to codirect Multi-Story Orchestra, ensuring the organisation runs smoothly and that operational strategy supports our creative output. Outside of this, she loves cooking, eating and enjoying London.

Dupri is a passionate soul singer/songwriter from South London, drawing inspiration from the vibrant music scene and gospel influences. With experience performing at events and concerts, including a notable performance at the Excel Arena, he has received recognition for his talent, winning the 'Outstanding Achievement Award' from the Jack Petchey Foundation. In his role as a trainee at our organization, he assists the Youth Coordinator, facilitates creative sessions, and contributes to workshops, while pursuing his passion for music and vocal arrangement outside of work.

Sumita will provide leadership to the programme team and will work closely with Artistic Director, Kate Whitley, to design, plan and deliver the live events programme. She has worked in music education within orchestras for the past decade and is passionate about breaking down barriers to music for everyone.

Outside of work, Sumita loves to travel, try new food, bake and do parkrun on Saturday mornings!

Jeani leads on designing and delivering our work with young people - from engaging school groups for our large-scale performances, engaging young musicians and overseeing our Young Creatives scheme. Outside of MSO, she sings soprano with the South West London Choral Society. Jeani loves musicals, k-dramas and chocolate.

Sarah Botelho is Multi-Story Orchestra’s new Communications and Administrations Manager. She is responsible for supporting the Multi-Story team and for getting the great story of our shows out into the local community and beyond. Sarah loves nothing more than an organised, colour-coded spreadsheet, and when she's not working with The Orchestra, you can find her looking for antiques, finding the next great picnic spot, and working on her first novel.

Theresa completed her Masters in Voluntary Sector Management in 2020, and has a Diploma in Charity Accounting. She oversees Multi Story's finances, ensuring that our work is delivered effectively, meeting both statutory and funder requirements.

Chris set up Multi-Story with Kate and is Principal Conductor. When not at Multi-Story he conducts elsewhere, mostly in opera or with community and amateur groups. Away from music he swims, cycles, and supports Crystal Palace Football Club.

Abz leads our musical creative work, writing music with everyone and conducting the choir in performances.

Fran leads our musical creative work, writing music with everyone and conducting the choir in performances. Fran loves making music, cooking for her friends and going to the cinema.

Linton supports the orchestra’s strategic planning, as well as playing bassoon in performances.

He has a dog called Biscuit who often visits the office.

Yusuf is a trombone player and music leader from London. When not making music, Yusuf loves making pots, practicing yoga and watching communities grow.

La’Maia aka Maia is interested in music and she has a huge passion for singing and songwriting. In her spare time she does dancing and she loves to write lyrics to songs she eventually wants to record and put out into the world. Her influences are mostly R’N’B artists and she is always up for a musical challenge.

Carmen is a student in Year 11 whose number one passion is music. Her place at the Brit School this coming August has cemented her skill as a vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter. In her spare time, she can be found crouched at a desk in the midst of a creative project of some sort.

Growing up, Kedar-Re has always loved music and singing, being creative, and sharing his passion and ideas with as many people as he possibly can. He loves being able to express himself through my voice and music, amplifying those feelings and emotions with others around him to make something amazing. He believes music is one of the greatest languages, so he has made it his goal to share his music with the rest of the world.

Dilhan’s hobbies are playing the piano and guitar, coding and watching films. He has enjoyed performing from a young age and strives to be as creatively ambitious as possible by constantly trying to learn and improve his musical abilities.

Imani is a singer-songwriter who’s had a passion for music from a very early age. Her influences come from indie and neo soul artists such as Frank Ocean, Adrianne Lenker, and Leith Ross. She enjoys the writing process the most as a Young Creative because she has a passion for songwriting and it allows her to be creative.

Alliances are as important as expertise in a field where imagination is our currency. After 20 years as a programme maker from music radio to long form speech content, BBC TV to BBC Learning Adele career has been guided by insight and foresight from working with colleagues across the industry. With a primary focus on youth networks and a keen eye for talent on and off mic, she has been championing diversity and inclusion in all its forms across ethnicity, gender, disability, class and regionality; and has been doing so for years. She says ‘That talent is here at Multi-Story Orchestra and I’m honoured to play my part with such a vibrant, hopeful and ambitious team.’

Jo joined the Board in 2023 after 10 years of unmitigated joy as an MSO audience member. She brings 35 years of experience in education and a passion for creating opportunity for and with young people. She has a particular responsibility for safeguarding.

Natasha joined the board of Multi-Story after her youngest children were part of the first projects Multi-Story did with primary schools in Peckham. They loved it so much that Natasha applied to be on the board as soon as there was a chance to do so. In her day job, she is a consultant for a wide range of UK and international charities. For Multi-Story she supports the team on fundraising and how Multi-Story cares for the environment.

Now 17 and 20, her children are still enthusiastic audience members and her son joined the office team for his work experience. He loved it.

Peter has been a Trustee since 2018 and loves to play and sing in his spare time. He is co-founder of a new venture exploring immersive large-scale classical music experiences, and has a background in business leadership, strategy and transformation from his time at Bain & Co. and as Chief Strategy Officer at Telegraph Media Group. In the increasingly distant past he was a Choral Scholar at King's College, Cambridge.