meet the board

Eloise is a graphic designer, illustrator & creative from Lancashire currently studying Graphic Design in the midlands at Loughborough University. With mjf she is excited to give back to her local community & learn more about the creatives that make the festival so special. Eloise finds that music enriches her work & inspires her creativity on a daily basis & is a fundamental part to her artistic process. Her work focuses on whimsical design, accessibility & promoting the North West & its creative communities.

Evie is a passionate events professional & content creator dedicated to elevating new talent & improving the live-music experience for all. She has experience across merch, ticketing, & digital content, working with venues such as Aviva Studios, & festivals such as Warped Tour to support & showcase vibrant, accessible events.

Oliver Boyle is a DJ, radio presenter & event producer based in Manchester. As a core member of STEAM Radio, he believes in fostering & amplifying the voices that make up Manchester’s underground music scene. He hopes to further this in his role on mjf’s Youth Advisory Board.

Lia is an aspiring freelance artist in graphic design/ illustration with a passion for & inspired by music. She also loves learning new instruments, watching live music performances & supporting the local arts scene in Manchester. Through this experience, Lia aims to share her magical, uplifting love of music.

Originally from Leeds, Helena is now a final year History & Politics undergraduate student at the University of Manchester. She grew up playing both classical & Jazz Flute & Piano, and is now passionate about cultural journalism, highlighting the musical opportunities for creatives from diverse backgrounds in the heart of the City of Manchester. As part of this role, she is committed to increasing the festival’s engagement with youth audiences, & ensuring a pluralistic & inclusive environment so that we can continue to embrace the brilliance of music & cultural initiatives in the North!

Soundcheck alumni, Jennifer Dala is a singer & songwriter who blends soul, alternative indie, folk, & jazz to craft her unique sound. Her music is defined by heartfelt lyrics, catchy rhythms & introspective, often melancholic themes. Jennifer is passionate about live music & is excited to bring her love for the arts & growing experience in event coordination to manchester jazz festival’s youth advisory board.

Jax is a multi-instrumental performer, writer, & poet based in Manchester. They are classically trained in flute & baritone sax with an MA in Music, but have since diversified their performance style, & currently perform across a range of genres, including hosting their own spoken word & music events for queer audiences. Jax is passionate about merging music & spoken word performance across genres & mediums to explore how jazz can present itself in different art forms. They're also an advocate for accessibility & inclusivity, & strive to amplify diverse voices through multi-disciplinary music making.

Moon is a university student specialising in Music Production & Vocal Performance. Aspiring to soon create & release their own songs, they draw inspiration from the vibrant sounds of Jazz Funk, Soul, & R&B, blending personal storytelling with rich musicality. Moon’s dedication to music is deeply personal, & they are committed to amplifying diverse voices & shaping inclusive spaces for emerging talent in jazz & beyond, with hopes to one day be able to ‘give back to music what it has given to them’.

Finn Muir-Cochrane is a dedicated music professional with a strong passion for jazz & a focus on creating meaningful live music experiences. A graduate of Leeds Conservatoire, he has gained extensive experience in both studio production & live event coordination. As a member of the Youth Advisory Board, Finn is committed to contributing to the growth of Manchester’s jazz scene, supporting emerging talent, & ensuring the festival remains dynamic, inclusive, & reflective of the city’s diverse musical landscape.

Originally from North Manchester, Clare grew up playing in various orchestras jazz bands & woodwind ensembles. She is also a recent university graduate working in the charity sector. As a member of the youth advisory board she is committed to expanding accessibility to music for young people, supporting emerging talent & ensuring the festival remains inclusive & a space for jazz exploration.

Annabel is a current law student with aspirations of becoming a media lawyer & a deep love for jazz. She values the way music—especially jazz—connects people & offers comfort & healing to those who need it most. To her, music & art are meant to be created, shared, & wholeheartedly enjoyed. Her previous volunteering experience & long-standing involvement with mjf inspired her to join the panel & become part of the team. 

An MA student in Arts Management, Policy & Practice, Willow is finding her feet in the city's vibrant festival scene with a real zeal for all things jazz. She is a strong advocator for community arts & music as a powerful tool for uniting us & boosting mental & social wellbeing. While she doesn't make music (yet!), her ear for jazz slingshots from the plucky strings of Grant Green's guitar-playing to intergalactic fusions of electro rock from The Comet Is Coming.