Inspiring communities across the generations
Meet the team
The Playground Proms team includes office staff, musicians from Graffiti Classics and a team of practitioners trained in Dalcroze Eurhythmics. The organisation is also supported by a board of trustees.
Cathal Ó Dúill
Founder and Artistic Director
Cathal Ó Dúill was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland and moved to London at the age of 20 to study double bass at the prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama. After graduation, he started street performing in Covent Garden with his double bass and from there formed the internationally successful comedy string quartet, Graffiti Classics. Cathal regularly tours across the world with the group, appearing internationally in major theatres, Proms, festivals and luxury cruise liners. He is also a renowned leader of the group's educational workshops, having been invited to tour nationally and internationally to children's festivals for many years. Graffiti Classics has regularly appeared on TV and radio, including for RTÉ1’s Late Late Show, RTÉ children’s TV, CBeebies Dick and Dom show as well as on BBC Radio London. The group has also performed for presidents and royalty. As well as leading the Graffiti Classics show, Cathal is often invited to appear as Master of Ceremonies for major gala events. During lockdown, Cathal completed a Foundation in Music Therapy at Roehampton University, London and also devises and leads workshops with Intergenerational Music Making (IMM). As a dyslexic musician, whose condition was not diagnosed until adulthood, Cathal is dedicated to engaging with SEN children and seeking innovative and fun ways of presenting music as a form of therapy and emotional growth for all young people.
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Derek Warby
Project mananger
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​Derek has been a professional manager in the classical music business for more than 40 years. He has managed numerous chamber ensembles and orchestras such as Docklands Sinfonietta (later Sinfonia 21) and the Orchestra of St John’s. He has always been passionate about the education and training of young musicians and has worked with the National Centre for Orchestral Studies and the European Union Youth Orchestra, as well as being a co-founder of the Pro Youth Philharmonia. Derek has tour-managed trips all over the world for chamber groups, music theatre companies and professional orchestras. One of his most intrepid projects was taking the 120-strong European Union Youth Orchestra to Kazakhstan at the end of an exhaustive European tour for two concerts in major cities 800 miles apart. His wealth of experience, sense of humour and calm head makes him well suited to working with Playground Proms.
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Caroline Gormally
Administrator
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Caroline is a highly experienced and passionate primary school teacher with nearly 20 years of dedication to primary education. Specializing in Early Years teaching, she has built a reputation for creating nurturing, inclusive, and engaging learning environments that support the developmental needs of young children.
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Her commitment to inclusive education is reflected in her extensive training in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Caroline has completed numerous SEND courses, equipping her with the skills to identify and support a wide range of learning needs, ensuring that every child receives the attention and resources they need to thrive.
In addition to her professional work, Caroline has contributed significantly to her community through voluntary work with uniformed organisations. This experience has strengthened her leadership, teamwork, and mentoring skills, and reflects her dedication to supporting young people both inside and outside the classroom.
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Caroline is known for her empathetic approach, strong communication skills, and ability to foster positive relationships with pupils, parents, and colleagues alike. She continues to stay current with educational best practices and is passionate about lifelong learning.
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She remains committed to making a meaningful impact in the lives of young learners through her work with Playground Proms.
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Anna Howard
Administrator
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Anna has worked for a wide variety of music and educational organisations over the last twenty years and, as well as her work for Playground Proms, currently runs an arts co-operative, organising art exhibitions and other events all over Cumbria. She was Administrator for the Westmorland Youth Orchestra for over six years and before that she ran the Chorister Outreach programme for Carlisle Cathedral, also for six years.
She was formerly a professional harpist and still teaches privately and in schools. She founded and still runs the Herdwyck Consort, a semi-professional vocal group, specialising in polyphony.