About Us
Crofton Music Trust is a registered charity dedicated to making music accessible to everyone.
We create musical opportunities for children, adults, and disabled musicians, removing barriers and opening pathways to learn, grow, and perform.
At the heart of our work is a belief that music transforms lives. It builds confidence, connection, and community. It gives young people a voice, helps adults explore new skills, and brings joy to those often excluded from traditional music settings.
Our work includes free and affordable brass tuition for children, beginner and training bands, in-school programmes, and inclusive music sessions for adults with profound and multiple learning disabilities. We are also exploring ways to expand this inclusive offer to children with additional needs soon. Each programme is built on the same foundation: dignity, access, and a deep commitment to inclusion.
Crofton Music Trust is proud to be part of the wider Crofton music community. While we operate independently as a charity, many of our learners go on to join Crofton Silver Band, an award-winning First Section band with deep roots in the local area.
This is about more than music. It’s about giving every person the chance to belong, to grow, and to be part of something bigger.
Our Mission
To make music accessible, inclusive, and joyful for everyone, regardless of age, ability, or background.
We exist to:
- Remove financial and social barriers to music education
- Offer a safe, welcoming space for beginners and returning players
- Provide structured pathways for musical progression
- Champion inclusion for disabled musicians and underrepresented groups
- Strengthen community through shared music-making
- Crofton Music Trust believes that music is a right, not a luxury and that everyone deserves the chance to learn, play, and belong.
Meet The Team
Katy Ruta
Katy Ruta is a Music Tutor, ensemble leader, and Founder and Director of Crofton Music Trust. She is also a mum to twin boys. Her background spans brass and strings teaching across the UK and internationally, with a strong focus on group music-making and inclusive learning.
Alongside her professional work, Katy is the parent of a profoundly disabled child. Living within complex care, hospital appointments, and systems not designed with inclusion in mind has shaped her perspective deeply. It revealed how many families are excluded from music opportunities, not through lack of interest or ability, but through cost, access, and inflexible structures.
Crofton Music Trust was born from a simple but powerful belief. Music should never be out of reach. Not because of disability. Not because of finances. Inclusion should be operational, not optional.
As Founder and Director, Katy leads the Trust’s vision, education, and delivery, focusing on removing barriers and redesigning how access works in practice. Her work centres on creating welcoming, supportive spaces where children and adults can learn, play, and grow at their own pace.
Because when inclusion is built properly, everyone benefits.
Katy Ruta
Founder & Managing Director
Katy Ruta is a Music Tutor, ensemble leader, and Founder and Director of Crofton Music Trust. She is also a mum to twin boys. Her background spans brass and strings teaching across the UK and internationally, with a strong focus on group music-making and inclusive learning. Alongside her professional work,...
Dan Jackson
Dan brings over 15 years of experience in competitive brass banding, having performed with top UK bands including Carlton Main Frickley and Unite the Union. He’s played at prestigious events such as the British Open and the National Finals and brings that same passion and precision to his work with Crofton Training Band.
As Musical Director, Dan leads weekly rehearsals, selects repertoire, and supports player progression with care and musical insight. He draws on a wealth of lived banding experience, from solo contests to ensemble work and serves as both conductor and mentor for developing musicians.Dan also collaborates with Crofton Silver Band to create a clear progression pathway and plan exciting joint performance opportunities.
Dan Jackson
Conductor of Training Band
Dan brings over 15 years of experience in competitive brass banding, having performed with top UK bands including Carlton Main Frickley and Unite the Union. He’s played at prestigious events such as the British Open and the National Finals and brings that same passion and precision to his work with...
Eiry Allender
Eiry holds a Master’s degree in Music and Management from the University of Leeds, where she researched how playing in community brass bands supports wellbeing and connection. With a deep-rooted passion for live music and a strong background in arts events, she leads on concerts, social media, and outreach for Crofton Music Trust. Eiry is also principal cornet of Crofton Silver Band and brings years of first-hand experience in banding and community music. She co-founded a Leeds-based music events platform and has worked across venues, festivals, and arts organisations, all with a focus on inclusion, access, and building community through music.
She is passionate about the charity’s vision to break down barriers in music education and is proud to be part of a team that centres inclusion and opportunity for all. With a growing focus on inclusive arts leadership, Eiry is committed to helping the charity expand its reach and impact across the community.
Eiry Allender
Marketing, Events and Engagement Manager
Eiry holds a Master’s degree in Music and Management from the University of Leeds, where she researched how playing in community brass bands supports wellbeing and connection. With a deep-rooted passion for live music and a strong background in arts events, she leads on concerts, social media, and outreach for...
Mary Golder MsC, GMBPS
Mary Golder MsC, GMBPS
Mary started playing trombone at 14 and went on to study music at Huddersfield. She decided to keep it as a hobby, playing in a number of different ensembles, from orchestras to pit bands, rhythm bands, brass bands wind bands and brass ensembles across the UK and Europe over the...
Andrew Brookes
Andrew Brookes
Conductor of Brass Roots
Andy has been an integral part of the Crofton musical community for over 30 years, beginning his journey as a member of the Crofton Junior Band. Having experienced nearly every facet of the local music scene since then, he was delighted to accept the role of Trustee and conductor of...
Governance
Roger Hine
Roger Hine
Chairman
Roger Hine is the Chairman of Crofton Music Trust and Crofton Silver Band, and a band member since July 1993. Roger began playing a brass instrument at school at the age of 13 and played in Wakefield Youth Band, Yorkshire Youth Band and Oxfordshire Youth Band. He has played with...
Shannon Empsal
Shannon is one of the founding trustees of Crofton Music Trust. Although her professional career is in STEM, Shannon brings a wealth of musical experience to the board.
She has played the cornet for over 20 years, in wind and brass ensembles, and has both played and helped tutor younger players in youth organisations in the past.
Shannon believes that music is a key way to bring people together despite their differences, and is deeply committed to making music accessible to people from all walks of life. She is proud to have the opportunity to work with an organisation that aims to remove barriers from music.
Shannon Empsal
Treasurer
Shannon is one of the founding trustees of Crofton Music Trust. Although her professional career is in STEM, Shannon brings a wealth of musical experience to the board. She has played the cornet for over 20 years, in wind and brass ensembles, and has both played and helped tutor younger...
Allen Clutton
Allen has been a member of Crofton Silver Band since 1969. He started playing the cornet with encouragement from his elder brother Derek, also a member of Crofton Silver Band. He was also one of three members to form the Crofton Junior Band in 1995, when himself, Colin Slassor and Roger Hine decided to form the Junior Band with a view to help bring in young players for the senior band, this was a very successful period for the Junior band being able to compete in the National youth championships. With this in mind Allen is very positive of the benefits that an organisation like the Crofton Music Trust can bring to the wider brass band world. Allen has also been the Treasurer of Crofton Silver Band for the past 25 Years.
Allen Clutton
Treasurer
Allen has been a member of Crofton Silver Band since 1969. He started playing the cornet with encouragement from his elder brother Derek, also a member of Crofton Silver Band. He was also one of three members to form the Crofton Junior Band in 1995, when himself, Colin Slassor and...
Nigel Brookes
Nigel Brookes is secretary to the Trustees, who is married and a grandad of four. He was a newspaper reporter for just under 40 years in West Yorkshire. Nigel followed his children’s footsteps into the old Crofton Junior Band and then the Silver Band. He first touched a brass instrument when he turned 50 and hasn’t looked back! Nigel knows that no one is either too young or too old to have their life changed by music
Nigel Brookes
Secretary
Nigel Brookes is secretary to the Trustees, who is married and a grandad of four. He was a newspaper reporter for just under 40 years in West Yorkshire. Nigel followed his children’s footsteps into the old Crofton Junior Band and then the Silver Band. He first touched a brass instrument...
Joanne Reasbeck
Jo is a trustee of Crofton Music Trust. An education professional working across specialist and inclusive education, she brings extensive experience of inclusive practice and a strong understanding of safeguarding.
Her professional background, alongside her experience as a mum of two, has strengthened her belief that opportunities to be part of a local brass band should be open to everyone. Jo has played in brass bands throughout her adult life, and through local bands and musical groups has met her husband and built many lifelong friendships.
Jo was drawn to Crofton Music Trust because of its ethos and values. She is passionate about ensuring that children from all backgrounds have access to the same opportunities and sense of community that brass bands gave her. She believes it is our responsibility to remove barriers and create a genuinely inclusive environment in which children can learn, thrive and belong.
Joanne Reasbeck
Safeguarding
Jo is a trustee of Crofton Music Trust. An education professional working across specialist and inclusive education, she brings extensive experience of inclusive practice and a strong understanding of safeguarding. Her professional background, alongside her experience as a mum of two, has strengthened her belief that opportunities to be part...
Andrew Brookes
Andy has been an integral part of the Crofton musical community for over 30 years, beginning his journey as a member of the Crofton Junior Band. Having experienced nearly every facet of the local music scene since then, he was delighted to accept the role of Trustee for the newly formed Crofton Music Trust.
Andy credits his time in Crofton with providing unique opportunities and experiences he wouldn’t have found elsewhere. He is now passionate about paying that forward, focusing on the further development of music within this Yorkshire community and ensuring those same opportunities reach an even wider local audience.
With nearly 20 years of experience as a primary school teacher across West and South Yorkshire, Andy has seen firsthand the profound joy and boost in confidence that comes from mastering a musical skill and performing as part of a group.
Andrew Brookes
Safeguarding
Andy has been an integral part of the Crofton musical community for over 30 years, beginning his journey as a member of the Crofton Junior Band. Having experienced nearly every facet of the local music scene since then, he was delighted to accept the role of Trustee for the newly...
Tracy Keith
Tracy started playing the cornet at 9 years old when a tutor came into school and said do you want to miss PE and play an instrument! She jumped at the chance to get out of PE! This changed her whole life journey. Tracy is now 51 and has met so many friends through brass banding, including her husband.
Tracy was a player and band secretary of Frickley/South Elmsall band for over twenty years so she brings a vast amount of knowledge to the trust to ensure its growth and development in the local banding community.
Tracy believes that it is extremely important to have this facility accessible to all because music is a great way to be part of a team and an excellent way to look after your mental health.
Tracy Keith
Fundraising
Tracy started playing the cornet at 9 years old when a tutor came into school and said do you want to miss PE and play an instrument! She jumped at the chance to get out of PE! This changed her whole life journey. Tracy is now 51 and has met...
We’d love to hear from you.
Whether you’re interested in learning, supporting our work, or bringing music into your school, get in touch.
