Arts & Culture
Open Studios Notts: Bringing Artists into View Exhibition at Mansfield Central Library
Discover where and how Nottinghamshire local artists create extraordinary work!
Able Orchestra (AO) supports a group of young leaders known as the AO Pioneers.
This group consists of independent musicians who also come together as a band for collective collaborations.
Opportunities for AO young leaders may include:
- Opportunities to develop skills in leading music making sessions with other young people in schools and community settings.
- A broad range of performance opportunities as individuals and as a band at festivals, live events and conferences.
- Opportunities to develop marketing and communications content.
- Advocacy and promotion of AO and themselves as individual artists.
The AO Pioneers: Unlocked (2024-2026)
The AO Pioneers 2024-2026, known as "Unlocked", are mentored by Kris Halpin and Nicci Halpin from Dyskinetic.
Meet the Pioneers below:
CryoFlame is a passionate musician dedicated to creating music that leaves a lasting impact. As a disabled artist, their journey is driven not by fame or fortune but by a deep love for music and a desire to prove what’s possible. Through their work, CryoFlame aims to inspire others, sharing their passion and making their mark on the world — one song at a time.
DJ Dobra is an upcoming artist/producer who makes music of multiple genres. He is based in Derby which is in the East Midlands. Born in England and raised by his parents who came to England from Kosovo due to the Kosovan War and poverty.
At age 7, DJ Dobra found his passion for music by discovering a variety of genres on YouTube which later on inspired his creativity. By 14, DJ Dobra was creating his own music on software such as Garage Band, Thumb Jam and Sound Trap. In 2016 DJ Dobra played at the Royal Albert Hall as part of the Able Orchestra using electronic instruments alongside the prestigious Halle Orchestra.
DJ Dobra also worked with Inspire and Digit Music using the CMPSR at events such as the royal Albert Hall (2016), Nottingham Contemporary (2015) and Mansfield palace Theatre (2014). In 2021 DJ Dobra secured his place at the Confetti Institute of Creative Technologies in Nottingham and built his creative skillset further. Throughout his time at Confetti, DJ Dobra has used top of the range mixing desks and live rooms as well as using DAWs like Logic Pro X. DJ Dobra released his first solo album in 2023 and has plans for more albums in the future.
He hopes to continue to grow his fan base and connect with them using social media and live performances. You can follow DJ Dobra’s journey through his social media links and listen to his music on Spotify or YouTube.
DJ Dobra released a garage/house track called “I don't know” featuring Kirk Spencer on the Able Orchestra album who are a group of young talented disabled musicians. In 2025 DJ Dobra will be releasing a house album and a trap EP that will be promoted on his social media soon.
Connect with DJ Dobra:
Marshall Fairbrother is a blind multi-instrumentalist, recording and mixing engineer. He joined Able Orchestra in 2021, starting with a successful series of online sessions on the track Keep Loving Me.
He was part of the Immersion project in 2022, performed at Portland College’s New Start Theatre. Marshall has since performed at Music Mark 2024 and played a key role in creating Between Worlds. He released his debut single How They Were in June 2024, which also featured on Able Orchestra’s ‘New World’s Key’ EP. Marshall has worked with Ableton, Focusrite, and SSL as an accessibility tester and beta tester.
Beyond music, he listens to audio books and is a passionate football supporter.
Jess Fisher is a dynamic and innovative musician with a passion for creating digital music. Their journey began with the Able Orchestra, run by Inspire Youth Arts, where they first explored their musical talents. From there, Jess embarked on a solo career, crafting unique sounds using CMPSR, an instrument developed by Digit Music.
Jess has performed on some of the UK’s most renowned stages, including the Royal Albert Hall (2016), BBC Introducing, Notts Day at Sherwood Forest, and The Metronome at Confetti College in Nottingham. Through their music, they aim to inspire other disabled artists and women, proving that creativity knows no boundaries.
Drawing inspiration from Sabrina Carpenter and Lin-Manuel Miranda, Jess continues to push musical boundaries, sharing their artistry and message with the world.
Bradley McKnight is a passionate singer and musician whose love for music has shaped his journey from an early age. Born completely blind, Bradley developed a deep connection to music, beginning his career at just nine years old when his grandad transformed an old tool shed into a recording studio. He started by uploading cover songs to YouTube, later expanding his experience by performing in karaoke venues across different countries, including Lanzarote.
In 2022, Bradley took a major step forward in his career after meeting a vocal coach and music producer who have helped him bring his own music to streaming platforms worldwide. His talent has gained recognition through radio interviews on stations such as Takeover Radio Sutton and Mansfield Radio with Tony Delahuntee, as well as features in publications like the Mansfield and Ashfield Chad. He has also received support from BBC Introducing, further solidifying his presence in the music scene.
For many years Zoe was a member of Nottingham Youth Theatre, performing in productions at College Street and playing an active part in Critics Circle at Nottingham Playhouse. She joined AO at Fountaindale School, performing using an iPad in concerts at Mansfield Palace Theatre and Nottingham Contemporary.
Zoe studied drama at National Star College, performing in productions including touring to Gloucestershire schools and continued music sessions using an iPad as part of Orchestar. In 2022 Zoe was invited to join Unanima Theatre as an ensemble member for two performances of State of Independence at Lakeside Arts Centre and Mansfield Old Library.
Zoe is thrilled to be an emerging music leader as an AO pioneer and creating a distinctive sound using a CMPSR. She is excited about her future musical journey and continuing to explore performing opportunities.
