Patrons

Musical Keys’ Patrons help to promote the work that we do and assist with fundraising activities. 

Kit Downes

Kit is a world-renowned composer, pianist and organist who has Norfolk roots.

Nominated for the Mercury Music Prize in 2010, Kit has worked with artists including Courtney Pine, Seb Rochford, Micachu, Clark Tracey, Sarah Gillespie and Matthew Herbert.

Kit currently plays in collaborations with saxophonist Tom Challenger, cellist Lucy Railton, composer Shiva Feshareki and with the band 'ENEMY'. He also teaches at the Royal Academy of Music.

Kit grew up in rural Norfolk and attended The Norwich School before going on to the Purcell School and then the Royal Academy. Although much of his time is spent touring and working in London, Norwich remains a special place for him.

Sallie Eastick MBE

Sallie Eastick MBE was instrumental in founding Musical Keys back in 1990 when she found, along with other parents of children with disabilities, that her son George benefited hugely from the use of music and movement.

Sallie went on to run the charity as CEO, and when she retired in summer 2018 was asked to become Patron, in recognition of her role in not only founding the charity but also seeing it through some difficult times – meaning that Musical Keys is well and truly still here today.

Sallie said: “I was very pleased to be asked – being a patron allows me to still have an active interest in Musical Keys and to be able to promote the work of the charity as and whenever the opportunity arises.”