“A revolutionary way to be heard” — new music tech to reach 600 across NI with funding from Power NI

Power NI representative Natalie McCrory pictured with Michelle McCormack (Drake Music CEO) and Drake Music volunteers, participants, and parents.

Power NI has donated £1,000 to Drake Music NI in a move set to expand access to cutting-edge music technology for hundreds of people across Northern Ireland, helping those with physical and cognitive disabilities create and perform music in new ways.

The funding, awarded through the energy provider’s Brighter Communities initiative, will directly support the introduction of Mi.Mu Gloves into the charity’s accessible music workshops in Belfast, Newry and other locations across the region.

The wearable technology, described as the world’s most advanced musical instrument for expressive creation, composition and performance, allows users to shape music through hand and finger movements — opening up creative opportunities for people who may otherwise find traditional instruments inaccessible.

New technology to reach more than 600 participants

Created by singer-songwriter Imogen Heap, the Mi.Mu Gloves track an individual’s gestures and convert them into digital sounds, enabling users to compose and control music through movement alone.

For Drake Music NI, the introduction of the gloves marks a significant step in its long-standing work to remove barriers to music-making.

More than 600 participants are expected to benefit from the gesture-based technology, which is designed to promote confidence, inclusive collaboration and creative expression.

The charity, founded in 1992, has built a strong reputation across Northern Ireland for blending adaptive technology with music education, supporting children and adults of all ages and abilities.

Its programmes focus particularly on empowering people with physical or cognitive disabilities to compose, collaborate and perform through one-to-one tuition and inclusive workshops.

Support aimed at building a more inclusive creative community

Ashleigh O’Neill, Senior Marketing and Communications Executive at Power NI, said:

“Drake Music NI is championing inclusiveness in the arts by ensuring that everyone – regardless of their ability – gets the opportunity to both make and shape music.

“Their work shows that creativity belongs to all of us, and we are proud to support the introduction of the Mi.Mu Gloves as these will help open even more pathways for people across Northern Ireland to express themselves musically. It is an inspiring step towards a more inclusive and accessible creative community.”

The donation forms part of Power NI’s Brighter Communities initiative, through which the company has backed local organisations working to improve lives across Northern Ireland and Ireland.

Over the last year alone, Power NI said it has supported more than 150 local groups and organisations.

The energy provider currently supplies 62 per cent of the domestic market in Northern Ireland, giving the initiative a wide regional footprint.

“A revolutionary way” to help people be heard

Dr Michelle McCormack, Chief Executive Officer of Drake Music NI, said the support will allow the charity to extend its reach and bring transformative technology to more people.

She said:

“This support from Power NI will allow us to reach more people with transformative music technology.

“The Mi.Mu Gloves offer a revolutionary way for individuals, with a wide range of abilities, to create music, share their voice, and be heard. It is about giving people the freedom to express themselves on their own terms.”

The introduction of the technology is expected to strengthen Drake Music NI’s ongoing work in inclusive arts provision, giving participants a new way to communicate, perform and build confidence through music.

For many users, the gloves could represent far more than a musical tool — offering a means of expression that removes physical barriers and places creativity directly into their hands.

As the technology is rolled out across workshops in Belfast, Newry and other Northern Ireland locations, the charity expects hundreds of participants to benefit from an innovative approach that merges music, movement and accessibility.

---

At a glance

• Power NI has donated £1,000 to Drake Music NI

• Funding comes through the Brighter Communities initiative

• Money will support the rollout of Mi.Mu Gloves technology

• More than 600 participants are expected to benefit

• Workshops will take place in Belfast, Newry and other NI locations

• Technology allows music to be created through hand and finger gestures

• Designed to support people with physical and cognitive disabilities

• Drake Music NI has been operating since 1992

• Power NI says it has supported 150+ local groups in the past year

• Power NI supplies 62% of Northern Ireland’s domestic market