About Us
Mission
Our mission is to explore and amplify the positive impact of group singing on mental well-being. We provide resources, training, and support to group singing leaders, helping them create inclusive environments that promote mental health, reduce stress, and strengthen the connections between individuals in diverse settings.
Vision
We envision a world where group singing is central to fostering mental wellness and social cohesion. Through the Singing for Our Minds programme, we aim to support singing leaders in creating inclusive, artistic spaces where people of all backgrounds can come together, sing, and thrive. We believe that by nurturing these communities, we can create lasting positive change for both individuals and society.
The Team
Jeremy Haneman is a British-Australian conductor and musical director renowned for his expertise in choral and operatic repertoire. As Co-Director of Together Productions, he leads innovative projects that use music and the arts to drive social change. Jeremy’s extensive career includes conducting at prestigious venues such as the Royal Albert Hall, the Royal Festival Hall and the Royal Opera House.
He has worked with a wide range of choirs, from chamber choirs to community groups involving refugees and individuals with mental health challenges. Notably, he was the inaugural Community Chorus Director for the Royal Opera House Covent Garden and is now the Artistic Director of the Thames Opera Company and leader of five choirs in London. He is a Trustee of the London Gay Men’s Chorus and Council member of the Association of British Choral Directors.
Aga Serugo-Lugo is a versatile vocalist, clarinetist, composer, and workshop leader with a strong focus on inclusive and narrative-based community music-making. Since 2014, he has been deeply involved with Britten Pears Arts (BPA), particularly with Group A, an inclusive youth vocal group that has performed at prestigious venues like Snape Maltings and Birmingham Symphony Hall. Aga composed the original beach opera The Old Man and the Sea for the First Light Festival and the finale “Falling Star” for BPA’s Celebration.
His extensive experience includes leading workshops for organisations such as the Royal Opera House, ENO Engage, and Music in Detention. Aga co-runs the Camberwell Community Choir and is an associate artist with Prime Theatre and Streetwise Opera. Known for his work in community settings, Aga believes in the power of collaborative musical storytelling to foster accessibility and inclusivity.
Nicola Wydenbach is a highly accomplished Musical Director, vocal coach, and performer, recognised for her work with both professional and amateur singers, aged 3 to 95. Trained at the Royal College of Music, Nicola has performed with leading opera companies such as English National Opera and Scottish Opera, and recorded soundtracks for films including The Hobbit. Her vocal career spans various genres, from classical oratorios to modern collaborations with artists like Damon Albarn.
Since 2014, Nicola has focused on the intersection of arts and health, particularly using singing to support individuals with Parkinson’s disease. She has established and led Parkinson’s singing groups in London and Trinity Laban and has trained over 100 singing leaders through her role with Sing to Beat. Co-author of Singing for People with Parkinson’s with Dr. Trish Vella-Burrows, Nicola is passionate about making singing accessible for enhancing mental and physical well-being.
Together Productions is a ground-breaking social change organisation based in the UK. We produce innovative collaborative arts projects that connect people, organisations and audiences across social and cultural divides. We use music and the arts as a catalyst to break down barriers, reduce isolation and enhance well-being. We produce high quality artistic work that is grown through creative collaboration, participation and experimentation.
Our work includes those who are marginalised or excluded, such as displaced people and those seeking sanctuary, people facing mental health challenges, the elderly, the financially disadvantaged and socially excluded.
We know that choirs are an incredible way to build community, improve mental health and build empathy and therefore choral singing is a big part of our work. Please see our main website for further details about our current projects.