Meet the staff
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Gina Sheridan - Project Manager
Born in Birmingham, Gina has had a talent for music from a very young age. She is a keen player of many instruments, including piano, guitar and even the harmonica!
After hearing a steelband playing she decided to learn herself, attending an adult education class in steel pan.
Quickly following, she set up a small group of like-minded friends from which the Comets Steel Band, and eventually the Comets Community Project, evolved. Gina considers the project to be an extended part of her very own family, and that love is shown in her tireless commitment to making the project successful. Gina is widely recognised as a very approachable person which has been an asset to providing the warm ‘family’ feel that exists within the project.
In her spare time Gina enjoys showing off her talent for DIY, which is clearly visible when you look at the maintenance of our building.
Eleni Danias - Chairperson/Captain
Born in Greenwich, Eleni started her life performing, initially as a dance student at a very young age, which eventually took her to the world famous BRIT Performing Arts College in Croydon. She currently works at a specialist school in Croydon, which teaches children with special educational needs.
Eleni has been playing the steelpan for 14 years, and in that time has performed at many different types of events, including various local competitions, and two National Panorama Champions of Steel competitions, held at the Notting Hill Carnival. She is highly respected by all members of the project, always spurring the children on to achieve, whilst maintaining a happy, fun environment with her outgoing personality.
In her spare time she enjoys spending quality time with her 4 year old son.
David Wellecomme - Musical Director
Born in Croydon, David has always been involved in music of one kind or another, starting with the piano at the age of just 4. Known in his schooldays as a ‘one-man-band’ because of his ability to play almost any type of instrument, he eventually, at the age of 9, settled for the steelpan, which has dominated his life ever since.
At the age of 11 he first performed at the Notting Hill Carnival, in the National Panorama ‘Champions of Steel’ competition and he hasn’t looked back, with a total of 7 panoramas to date. At 15 he went to Trinidad and Tobago to compete in the World Steelband Championships. David now teaches at the Comets Community Project as well as schools in Croydon, Lambeth and Southwark.
His diverse love for music is shown in the varied repetoire that the project has to offer, and he always strives to pass on his knowledge in a way which sees him coming down to the same level as the children to create a fun, relaxed and enjoyable lesson. This is shown in the members’ commitment, making the project such a success.
In his spare time, other than arranging and composing new material, he enjoys putting his car mechanics skills to good use and spending time with his 3 year old daughter.
Rose Bartlett - Parent Representative
Born in Canvey Island, Essex, Rose has always had green fingers and a great love of the outdoors and wildlife. This was the foundations on which her career as a gardener/landscaper was built. Although Rose has never played an instrument, she has always had an eclectic taste in music, and enjoys singing at every opportunity, even finding a song that is relevant to the conversation in hand!
Rose became involved in the project through her 2 sons, who joined 2 years ago. In this time, through sheer commitment and enthusiasm, she has become an integral part of the project, gaining the respect of everyone involved, parents and children alike.
Since being chosen as parent representative, Rose’s commitment has proved invaluable, making sure everyone is happy, content and kept informed with current affairs, whilst keeping in with the projects’ values of having a fun, safe environment.
In her spare time Rose enjoys spending time with her family and going for walks with her dog.
Page published: January 9, 2008 at 11:18 pm
Page last edited: July 2, 2008 at 2:07 am