Ruth Hopkins is a pioneering leader in music outreach and education, with a special focus on special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). She brings a combination of artistic talent, commercial acumen, strategic thinking, and a flair for innovation in community engagement to the music and heritage sectors, making her a key figure in democratizing culture and making the arts accessible to all.

As the founding director of K’antu Ensemble, Ruth has built the ensemble’s reputation on the international stage, leading performances across the UK, Germany, Canada, Egypt, Romania, and Hungary, and securing broadcast opportunities on TV and radio. Ruth’s passion for outreach is evident in her leadership of various high-impact initiatives, including the creation of a SEND music and heritage festival. Her work in this area has earned her the 2020 UK Creative Community Fellowship in association with the University of Pennsylvania, acknowledging her significant contributions to social entrepreneurship.

Ruth has collaborated with a range of esteemed national and international organizations, such as The Commonwealth Games 2022, National Trust, British Council, Caudwell Children, CHILD Foundation (Bangladesh), Craiova International Shakespeare Festival (Romania), and Bibliotheca Alexandrina (Egypt). These collaborations have allowed her to innovate and implement outreach programs that engage diverse audiences with music and heritage.

Her outreach work includes directing a three-year SEND Music Outreach Programme for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Festival, leading a multidisciplinary team to deliver workshops and performances across Birmingham. Additionally, Ruth has led the CHIME SEND Music Festival and the Curating Elgar project at The Firs (Elgar Birthplace Museum), where she developed creative ways to engage underserved communities with cultural heritage.

Beyond project direction, Ruth serves as a Board Director at the Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, contributing to the DEI Working Group and Financial Committee, where she ensures inclusive practices are integrated into the organization’s operations. She is also a School Governor at Wilson Stuart SEND School in Birmingham, responsible for safeguarding and strategic planning to ensure high-quality education for students with special needs.

Ruth’s outreach efforts are further supported by her academic achievements. From 2020 to 2022, she held a scholarship at Oxford University's Saïd Business School, where she earned an MBA, further solidifying her expertise in leadership, strategy, and social innovation. Ruth’s work continues to inspire and advance the field of inclusive arts education, making her a respected and influential leader in music outreach and SEND education.