Meet the team

The Music4Children team are all volunteers with a long-term dedication to the welfare of underprivileged children. They also share a touch of the crazies.

Founder Oz Bayldon
Oz is the founder of Music4Children. Once a touring musician, Oz's travels led him to Nepal where he encountered the poverty faced by the country's homeless children for the first time. Determined to make a difference, Oz set about raising funds to make his vision of a community-run and ethical orphanage a reality. He did so in his own crazy, adrenaline-junkie way, using his musical links to create unique and extreme fundraising events and supporting gigs around the world. Rocker, doting father and a man who will never give up on his dream - Oz embodies the passion, dedication and musical roots of Music4Children.

Oz@music4children.org

Chair Alya Shakir
Alya is Chair of Music4Children. Alya was once a classical pianist and is currently a freelance journalist and media consultant. She is currently retraining in child psychology. Coming from a country where the number of orphans has reached 5 million in recent years, the plight of orphans is very close to her heart and she was instantly attracted by the prospect of being involved in Music4Children in a big way. If Oz is the heart of the organisation, Alya is the brains. Not to say that Oz...never mind.

Online guru Kishan Suntokeesing
Kish is our online mastermind and general ‘doer of stuff'. Don't be fooled by his crazy hair and unpronounceable name – Kish is the master of the World Wide Web and by the power of Grayskull, soon to be master of the Universe. DJ, record-breaker (literally) and hairdresser's worst nightmare, Kish has taken Music4Children to the masses in a big way.

Webmaster/Web designer/ccs Jason Merry
Jason is the Music4children webmaster and long-term volunteer. With his many years of expertise in Graphic/Web design and his desire for accessible/usable lovely sites, his hands are now tied to making our sites glorious (as of Nov 2009 - He wishes to take no credit for the current site apart from updates!). He also has a wonderful passion for Industrial Hemp, products of which can be found at our Karma Shops.

Projects Gavin Watts
Gavin helps Music4Children identify interesting and beneficial projects throughout the UK. He is currently leading our team to look at venues for vocational training through music for children who are from less advantaged backgrounds.