About Sue
Musical Cherubs has been running since 2004 in North Tottenham, and was originally founded at the Trafalgar Christian Centre.
Nicholas Manyumbu is our chairman, Zsuzsanna Parker (Sue) is our secretary and Emily Manyumbu is our treasurer. Emily and Sue prepare, lead and evaluate the group sessions.
At Musical Cherubs we provide a service, for 0-4 year olds and their parent/carers, based around music and movement. In the beginning, we were funded by SureStart, and have also been supported by the London City Mission (charity no. 247186). We run a one hour session twice each week, with a maximum of 15 children in each.
In September 1997 we first opened our Mother and Toddlers group (Sweetpeas) at Trafalgar Christian Centre. Sue and Emily were the main leaders. Emily at this time had a six month old baby boy and Sue was working as a childminder. We had a two-hourly session, once a week, with free-play, craft activity and music time. As time went on, we discussed doing something a little more specialised using our skills and experience. Something, perhaps based around music and movement (covering the Early Years curriculum).
In 2004, we successfully applied for funding from the local SureStart 'community chest project'. This funding was used to launch (click to see Press) Musical Cherubs. SureStart awarded Musical Cherubs further, more substantial, funding in the following year. This enabled us to buy more instruments, books, puppets and equipment etc. We were also able then to take on a much needed part time worker. Musical Cherubs was financially supported throughout by the London City Mission up until our more recent 'independent' status.
About SueSue was born in Budapest, Hungary and came to England with her parents and a brother, as refugees. Although her mother tongue is Hungarian, her first language is English. She has three grown-up children and one grandchild and has been working as a childminder for 21 years.
As a registered childminder, Sue has attended numerous courses and workshops concerning childcare and education which include NVQ level 3 in Early Years Care and Education, Makaton and Special Needs Inclusion training. She achieved an overall 'good' in her most recent OFSTED inspection (outstanding in 'enjoying and achieving' and 'safety').
Sue's musical interests include singing and dabbling in the violin and piano.
About EmilyEmily has lived in London all her life. She is married to Nicholas and they have three boys. Nicholas is employed by the London City Mission, previously placed at Trafalgar Christian Centre. It was here that Musical Cherubs was founded and has been flourishing for 3 1ò2 years.
Emily obtained her degree in music and teaching licentiate at the Royal Academy of Music. She has 17 years experience of teaching musical instruments (piano, flute, violin, recorder and theory of music). She has led music sessions at various nurseries, toddlers groups and crèches. She has attended workshops on Special Needs and Music and various early years training workshops in Haringey.
Emily has much experience in performing live, on recordings, and leading and playing in church worship.