Music has always been a central part of Dan’s life, and in his teens he played in various ska and punk bands, opposite contemporaries including world music star Natacha Atlas and Portishead founder member Adrian Utley. After a diversion into Cold War history and academia at Oxford University, in 1999 Dan finally decided to make music his career, getting a job at jazz and world music development agency, JazzEast, in Cambridge.

In 2002 he moved to Dorset to set up SoundStorm, alongside the late, great Steve Harris, and managed SoundStorm singlehandedly until moving “upstairs” in 2012. Aside from SoundStorm, Dan now oversees Wave, programmes jazz at Lighthouse, Poole, chairs the international WOMEX Education network, serves on various UK-wide music education groups and, most importantly, continues to play music, notably with international collaboration Far Flung Collective and jazz collective, Thokozile.

Jo joined SoundStorm in 2019, bringing a passion for creating exciting musical opportunities for young people of all ages and abilities. This passion stems from a love of performing, being immersed in the sound on stage, the memories of the experiences shared with friends, from the every day rehearsals to the fun of being on tour! She was fortunate grow up in South London which provided countless opportunities performing at exciting, prestigious venues across the capital, wider region and internationally. Jo trained as a classical flautist and studied Music and Dance at the BRIT School and BA Hons in Music at the University of Southampton focussing on performance techniques and music in popular culture.

Having travelled the world in her 20s, and lived in Australia for half of her 30s, Jo now enjoys all that Bournemouth has to offer – especially keeping her toes sandy in the surf and adventuring with her dog! 

Sarah joined SoundStorm in March 2020 and is excited to be part of a team that helps to inspire others through music and the arts as music has always been a big part of her life from being a lead singer, keyboard player and songwriter in a progressive rock band to incorporating the power of music in her practice as a therapist. 

Apart from music, Sarah loves travelling, walking in nature, philosophy, writing, reading fiction and having fun with her family.

Lucy studied Music at King’s College London, and after a few years’ experience working in schools qualified as a Secondary School Music Teacher in 2013. Lucy taught Music at schools in London and from 2020, in the Poole and Bournemouth areas. Lucy is a keen cellist and singer, playing in ensembles locally including Magna Sinfonia and singing with the Royal Choral Society in London, often performing at the Royal Albert Hall. Lucy is passionate about musical education for young people and is excited to be starting work with the SoundStorm team in 2023 to continue to support music-making in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. Lucy will continue to teach the cello locally and coach for youth ensembles including as an Artist in Residence for Ark Schools and lower strings coach with the Southampton Youth Concert Sinfonia.

Outside of work, Lucy is a keen paddleboarder and is often found reading a good book by the sea.

His career started in Barcelona working for many video production companies on corporate, advertising, fashion, documentaries, TV and artistic productions. Jordi moved to the UK 20 years ago and Bournemouth became his home.

Recently he has obtained a Masters degree on Fine Art and won several international awards in film festivals and exhibitions. He loves the Sea, coffee and football.

Claire has a degree in Geography and worked for JP Morgan and Wessex Water before starting her role as Senior Business Support in August 2009 with the SoundStorm and wave team.  She loves spreadsheets and organising anything and anyone possible!  Her main responsibilities in the team are financial management, coordinating our store of 4000+ musical instruments and practitioner’s contracts.

Running, cooking healthy treats, reading and a mum of 2 boys keeps her busy outside of work!