Our music leader, Beth Holloway, will be leaving us in the next few weeks to go travelling - we had a catch-up with her to talk about her journey into facilitation, her experiences with young people, and, of course, why music makes lives better. 

From steel pans in south London to DJing in Huddersfield, producer and facilitator Beth Holloway has spent her life immersed in music. With roots in live performance and a growing practice in electronic music and community engagement, her approach is shaped as much by adaptability and empathy as it is by skill.

‘I just followed in that suit, really,” she says of her musical upbringing. “My mum played trombone and my nan was always in choirs – we’d go to big band concerts together. It was always encouraged.’

That early exposure to live music set the tone, and Beth began playing piano, trumpet and trombone before eventually falling in love with electronic production.

‘I think it was just being a teenager and listening to more dance music – garage, house, drum and bass. Once I learned to DJ, I knew exactly the kind of music I wanted to play.’

Now based in Huddersfield – for a few more weeks, at least – Beth’s work spans songwriting, production, DJing, and events curation. It also includes facilitating creative music workshops with Yorkshire Youth and Music, particularly within secure units and specialist education settings.

Her entry into this world wasn’t entirely planned.

‘It all came quite naturally,’ she says. ‘My first real facilitation job for YY&M came from a recommendation by Yorkshire Sound Women’s Network – they were looking for a DJ as part of a project, and my name got put forward. I hadn’t done much teaching before, just the odd uni thing, but it all kind of escalated from there.’

Though her own education followed a more traditional route, Beth says her background – and family experience of community work – helped her connect with young people.

‘I’ve always found that side of the work really natural. It’s not just about the music – it’s about building trust, creating space and giving people the confidence to try something new.’

That ethos runs through her workshop practice, which she describes as responsive rather than rigid.

‘You can’t come in with a fixed plan. One young person might be full of ideas one day and need a bit of encouragement the next. Sometimes the first session is just getting to know each other, sharing what they’re into. That relationship building – having a laugh, finding common ground – makes the music better in the long run.’

Part of Beth’s role involves working with young people in youth justice settings. Often when working in secure settings, Beth works one-to-one with participants, where the relationship building, through a level of trust and mutual development, is essential to the participant being able to take something away from the session. 

‘Some young people have never touched an instrument before,’ she says. ‘If someone sits down, learns a song on guitar, and then performs it – that’s massive. It’s not just about musical skills; it’s about confidence, perseverance, and problem-solving. Sometimes we’re learning together, and that’s OK.’

She’s clear that facilitating and mentoring isn’t about transferring a fixed body of knowledge, but about encouraging curiosity and providing tools that will help them develop and grow their confidence through giving them the space to think creatively.  

‘It’s about trying to ignite something – helping people figure out what they actually enjoy. I want them to walk away with something that’s theirs - whether that’s a new interest, or a piece of music they’re proud of.’

Beth is also a passionate advocate for the value of creative expression in early-stage work, especially when time with participants is short.

Unsurprisingly, her own practice has been shaped by her experience of facilitation. 

‘It’s made me rethink everything – going back to basics, thinking more about creative expression than polished output. I’ve had to learn new instruments on the fly or remember things I hadn’t used in years. It keeps you fresh.’

Even though these new instruments or ways of working haven’t necessarily made it into her musical output as such, it has informed her ways of working and ensured that she keeps thinking and rethinking what she is making. 

Now, as she prepares to leave Huddersfield and head off travelling, she’s looking forward to taking a break from production and focusing on performance. 

‘Whilst I’m travelling, I’ll be exploring new music whenever I can. I don’t want to stop music altogether – it will be my way of exploring the world, and taking inspiration from where I am.’

Wherever she lands next, community music will remain part of the picture.

‘I’ll be moving back to South London eventually, and I’m sure I’ll find work in facilitation again. I really enjoy it – it’s such a rewarding part of what I do.’

Whether she’s behind the decks or in a youth centre, Beth’s work is all about creating a connection – and making space for this to grow in a supportive way. 

‘At the end of the day,’ she says, ‘it’s all about what they want to do.’

Find out more about how we work with young people!