Folk Unlimited

Creative, inclusive, multi-sensory band sessions for disabled young people led by folk artists Emmie Ward and Joe Danks.

Please note that Folk Unlimited classes are not currently running, although we hope to bring them back to Cecil Sharp soon!

If you would like to be kept informed of when classes resume, or if you have any questions about our programme for disabled young people, please email Beth at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call her on 020 7241 8953. 

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Inspired by Folk Unlimited and want to explore other opportunities available at Cecil Sharp House? We run regular holiday courses for disabled 12-24 year olds and their friends.

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What is Folk Unlimited?

At Folk Unlimited you can:

• Learn to play, sing and arrange songs and tunes from Britain and across the globe
• Learn and explore new instruments and accessible technology
• Learn new skills with fantastic tutors
• Make new friends

If you want to, you can also:

• Perform at events
• Work towards an Arts Award

You do not need any experience of playing an instrument or folk music to take part in Folk Unlimited.  Love music? We want you to join us!

Carers are welcome to join in too, or can wait in our lovely café just outside the rehearsal space.

Folk Unlimited sessions take place in our busy public venue on the basement floor which is accessible by lift from the outside of the building.  Other events will be running in other rooms and our cafe will be open.  Please not that we cannot therefore guarantee a nut-free environment.

Who is it for?

For disabled 12 – 24 year olds, their friends and carers. Open to all abilities and levels of experience.

Meet the Folk Unlimited team!

Emmie Ward holds a PG CERT in music and special needs using Sound Of Intent with Roehampton University. She is a folk musician and  works as a freelance music and folk arts practitioner and teaches a range of classes for people with learning disabilities. She specialises in using a multi sensory approach to storytelling and music.   Emmie has worked in a variety of settings including  Day Centres, FE colleges and schools where she has worked as a teacher for many years. Projects have included “Everybody Dance Company” a millennium funded dance project with performers with complex needs and working on the show “Weighting” by Extraordinary bodies an inclusive, touring circus.  Emmie also teaches on the “Get Your Folk on” holiday workshops for young disabled people.

Joe Danks is a percussionist, guitarist singer and composer from Nottingham, now based in South East London. He is a member of the band Ranagri (StockFisch Records), playing Bodhran, Tenor Guitar and percussion. In 2018 he was selected for one of EFDSS's Musicians In Museums residencies at The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich. His education work has seen him work with EFDSS, Hammersmith Irish Cultural Centre, London Symphony Orchestra, The BBC Family Orchestra and Nottingham Royal Concert Hall; amongst others. He is also director of Pulse Arts CIC, a company that takes person centered music practice into hospitals and hospices in London and East Anglia. 

Folk Unlimited is supported by players of the People’s Postcode Lottery.