Jasmin Kent Rodgman joins the Collective as Co-Artistic Director

Jasmin Kent Rodgman. Photo: Phil Sharp

We’re delighted to announce that Jasmin Kent Rodgman will be joining the team in July as our new Co-Artistic Director. Jasmin will work alongside our Artistic Director and Co-Founder, Rakhi Singh, to shape the ensemble’s artistic programme and further its work at the cutting-edge of classical music. 

British-Malaysian composer Jasmin Kent Rodgman's music exists between the contemporary classical, experimental, electronic music and sound art worlds. An interdisciplinary artist and collaborator across artforms, Jasmin often constructs environments in which her music can be experienced, including site-specific performances, installations, experimental theatre and film. 

Her work has been seen and heard from Southbank Centre to Roundhouse, Edinburgh International Festival to the Royal Shakespeare Company, Music Theatre Wales and the Royal Albert Hall. Activism is central to Jasmin's work. Her music often explores otherness and connectivity, and investigates ideas centred around the female body, race and cultural heritage.

We recently gave the world premiere of Rodgman’s four-person simulation, a work inspired by the notion of loneliness, AI chatrooms and memory and written for string quartet, tape & electronics. You can watch her speaking about her creative process below:

“Manchester Collective are one of the most exciting and engaging music ensembles of today,” says Jasmin. “They connect and collaborate with musicians, composers and artists across an astonishing spectrum, whilst simultaneously breathing new life into the classical canon. Their energy is boundless.

“I'm thrilled and honoured to join the Collective as their Co-Artistic Director alongside Rakhi Singh and the team; and to bring my experience as composer and artist into the mix. I can't wait to see where this journey takes us!”

Linda Begbie, Interim Chief Executive, says: “Jasmin brings a lived-experience of artistic practice and a set of cultural influences that will help MC retain its vital dialogue across musical genres and art forms. She also has strong roots in both Manchester and London, two cities that are of crucial importance to us.

“An approach to leadership built on collaboration and shared values is something that distinguishes us and I’m really excited by its potential.”