Dedicated trustees with a proven record of success.
Mike King
Mike King has been involved in the music industry for over 20 years since signing a record deal at the age of 17. He has worked as a vocal coach on The Voice UK, helped smash a Guinness World Record by conducting 5,000 singers at Wembley Arena and directs choirs worldwide.
He was a lecturer at Goldsmiths University of London for 12 years and has worked with some of the industry’s most successful international artists.
Mike’s love of bringing people together through singing is the foundation for many of his diverse projects. Creating rich, emotive harmonies and inspiring singers to perform them to the highest standards is what shapes his success today whether enhancing the vision of an artist or artistic team or directing a community choir to raise funds for charity. Mike has an extraordinary gift that enables all who cross his path to grow in confidence and make beautiful sounds.
Having worked extensively in community music projects, Mike has seen first hand the benefit of music, and in particular singing and songwriting, on the health and well being of individuals and communities.
Spending years raising thousands of pounds for various charities through his ‘Giving Through Singing’ initiative coupled with his passion for making a difference through music was the driving force behind his vision for creating the MyCool Music Foundation which he founded in 2017.
Carol King
Carol King was training to be a primary school teacher in 1997 when she suddenly fell ill and was later diagnosed with Lupus. Since meeting Mike shortly after she has been dedicated to helping raise awareness and money for various charities, including Lupus organisations, and promoting wellbeing through singing.
Carol is a seasoned vocalist in her own right providing backing vocals for artists such as Lily Allen and Boy George. She assists Mike with many of his choirs and together they created Singing Holidays and Retreats to provide inspiring singing experiences in stunning locations.
Carol and Mike adopted their daughter in 2018, the same year Mike created the foundation, and they remain committed to making a positive difference through music.
Carol Ashfield
Carol our Chair, has many strings to her bow. She had a successful sixteen year career with BUPA Health Services, which included running their London Sales office and finally being their National Customer Care and Training Manager, producing and carrying out national training programmes for BUPA Health Services.
Following the birth of her daughter Zoe in 1992, Carol trained and qualified as a Montessori teacher. Using her training skills, she voluntarily taught adults to read and write at her local Adult Education Centre whilst continuing to run occasional courses for BUPA on a consultancy basis. More recently Carol was the Marketing and PR Manager for a large Independent School. She also spent three years chairing the Parents Association, whilst organising many fundraising projects. Alongside this job Carol ran three successful fashion shows raising thousands of pounds for Breakthrough Breast Cancer. Carol also voluntarily became the press officer for the Sevenoaks Summer (music and arts) Festival where she had her own column in the local newspaper the Sevenoaks Chronicle.
"Carol’s hobbies include singing, travelling, wildlife photography, cooking/entertaining, keeping fit (Pilates, aqua aerobics and walking) and of course working for the MyCool Music Foundation in the role of Chair. This has enabled Carol to be involved in a variety of fundraising tasks on behalf of the foundation, including the organising of the Foundation’s flagship event the annual fundraising dinner/dance “.
Christine Carter
Chris has lived in Brockley, Lewisham for over 40 years where she brought up her three children together with her husband, a local Minister, in a richly diverse and vibrant community. She has always enjoyed an eclectic taste in music but mostly that of the great jazz divas!
Her enjoyment of music and singing led her to jazz, soul and gospel singing classes with Mike King at Goldsmiths College some ten years ago – from which MyCool Singers (the Foundation choir) was eventually born. Through these experiences she came to recognise the incredibly therapeutic benefit of singing with others on a person’s health and well being. The development of MyCool Music Foundation (MCMF) has provided a vehicle for sharing this experience of music with others and bringing it to those who, through whatever disadvantage, might not otherwise be in a position to have such an experience.
Chris has had a long career in the NHS as a nurse, midwife, manager and finally Chief Executive. Following retirement over the past few years she has continued to work as a Management Consultant, as well s mentoring others. She has worked not only in public services but has also been very involved with establishing new projects and working with the voluntary not-for- profit sector – mostly in disadvantaged communities. All of which has been helpful in her role as a Trustee, and in particular as Secretary to MCMF.
Chris is keen to see the Foundation succeed in its purpose to support individuals, groups and communities by using the therapeutic power and benefits of music and singing, to improve their health and well being and fulfil ambitions – whatever they might be. Hopefully with the continuing support of its generous donors and sponsors MCMF will go from strength to strength.
Tracy Halpin
Tracy originally from South West London and now living in Meopham in Kent with her husband where together they have brought up their family. She was introduced to Mike King and MyCool Singers in 2015 by a friend, who shared her love of music, singing and exercising especially Zumba and who was already a member of the choir.
Tracy has been a Trustee of the MyCool Music Foundation since its inception and during that time she has also been Financial Secretary.
Tracy’s professional career has been largely finance based, and complements her role within the foundation as Financial Secretary. She currently works for an organisation which is an arm’s length body of the Ministry of Defence. Her role as an Operations Manager involves annual financial budget management and supporting employer engagement activities within the commercial business and armed services community. She has previously worked in the private sector with a Lloyds affiliated insurance brokers, and also in the not-for-profit charity sector with The Wellcome Trust where she was responsible in supporting a portfolio of significant research project and large programme grants.
Tracy is also involved in supporting the charity ‘Breast Cancer Now’ as a volunteer for over 10 years – at events such as the annual fashion show, raising between £300k to £400k. She also supports and volunteers for the ‘Ovacome Charity’ as a model buddy for the catwalk at their annual fashion show.
Tracy enjoys being part of the MyCool family – both as a member of the choir and as a Trustee for the MyCool Music Foundation. The MyCool Singers are a great community of wonderful and inspiring people, and she looks forward to continuing to support the Foundation in achieving its goals in the future, in particular she is keen to see the Foundation secure charity status.
Christine Pilcher
Christine is delighted to be a Trustee having been drawn to the work of the Foundation by a shared belief in the healing and restorative power of music. Born in Liverpool and raised in Cheshire Christine moved to Kent when she fell in love and later married the love of her life.
Christine’s love of music began in early childhood inspired by her father who was a classically trained opera singer and her mother who was an accomplished pianist and organist. A little less gifted on the piano Christine played the guitar, violin and French horn. Fast forward to university and rowing took precedence over music.
Now that her three daughters are all grown up Christine has rediscovered her passion for performing and loves being part of the MyCool Singers’ family.
Christine has had a long and varied career in the NHS. She hopes that her many years of experience in working in partnership with colleagues and stakeholders will prove to be of use as the MyCool Foundation evolves and grows.