Our mission is simple: to share the joy and connection we ourselves experienced as young people forming bands, making music, and hanging out with friends
We’re serious about accessibility and breaking down barriers to music, but fun is always at the heart of what we do!
Our focus is on the personal benefits of music and community: building confidence, fostering friendships and reducing social isolation, but we also believe in the power of creativity to drive inclusion, showcase disabled artistry, and challenge outdated expectations in the wider community.
Billy Payne
Billy is a musician, maker, and creative technologist with an insatiable love for instruments—whether playing them, building them, or dreaming up new ones. While he primarily plays guitar and is currently learning the drums, his passion extends far beyond traditional musicianship into the world of accessible music technology.
As co-founder of Billy & Andy’s Music School, Billy is dedicated to breaking down barriers to music-making. He also works as a Creative Technologist, developing innovative and inclusive musical instruments, and co-runs DMLabNW for Drake Music, a community of disabled and non-disabled musicians and makers pushing the boundaries of accessible music technology.
Billy’s creations include The Violaine, an award-winning, gestural MIDI violin designed for accessibility, and The Isobarre, an isomorphic keyboard developed in collaboration with a disabled musician seeking an intuitive interface for complex harmony. Most recently, he built an audio-visual synthesiser named after his pet chihuahua, Persephone.
Andy Haines
Andy is a multi-instrumentalist and experienced music educator who has spent over a decade bringing the joy of music to young people, particularly those with additional needs. A specialist in SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) music education, he has delivered music sessions across KS1, KS2, and KS3 in Manchester schools, developing engaging and inclusive approaches that ensure every child can participate and express themselves musically.
Andy’s work goes beyond traditional teaching; he integrates accessible music technology into his sessions, using innovative tools and adaptive methods to make music-making a possibility for all. His approach focuses on creativity, confidence-building, and fun, helping students discover their own musical voices, whether through instruments, technology, or group collaboration.
When he’s not making music, Andy enjoys climbing, reading sci-fi and fantasy, and spending time with his two young daughters, Nara and Mable. He also has a deep love for bluegrass music and The Smashing Pumpkins, proving that his musical tastes are as wide-ranging as his teaching expertise.
