CONDUCTOR Charles Hazlewood was the keynote speaker at the Music4U national conference in York, exploring music and deafness.

The conference was held at the National Centre for Early Music in Walmgate, York.

Mr Hazlewood was founder of the British Paraorchestra, the world’s first orchestra for musicians with disabilities, and spoke about building trust.

The conference was aimed at professionals working with deaf young people and looked at the challenges they face and how music can aid mental health and emotional wellbeing.

As part of the conference, deaf role models trumpeter Sean Chandler, guitarist James Holt and flautist Ruth Montgomery shared their experiences of being deaf musicians.

Delma Tomlin, director of Music4U, said: “We are delighted to continue our work with the deaf community and bring people together to be creative.”