The session, titled ‘Learn How to Make Sound Art, Sound Collage, and Audio Storytelling’, invited students to record their voices and everyday sounds, transforming them into powerful, personal works of art.
For Caro, this workshop wasn’t just about teaching technical skills; it was about empowering young people to express themselves and tell their stories on their own terms. Her own creative journey began when a period of back trouble led her to a second-hand synthesizer—and a life-changing relationship with music. Since then, she’s toured across Europe, collaborated with theatre and dance companies, appeared on BBC Radio and even set up an electronic music charity.
We sat down with Caro to talk about her career, her time with the Bradford Digital Creatives project so far, and why she believes digital arts can change young people’s lives.
Q: What first drew you into a career in digital arts?
A: Interestingly, it was necessity and curiosity that led me here. In my late 20s, I was dealing with severe back trouble and couldn’t sit at a piano to learn, something I’d always wanted to do. Instead, I got hold of a second-hand retro synth and began experimenting. I taught myself to read music, play keyboard and understand synthesis. I started to intuitively explore timbre, melody, harmony, scales and frequencies, and began making ambient electronic music. It became my voice when I was otherwise isolated, and I was hooked from then on! I didn’t consider myself ‘musical’ in school, so I credit the accessibility of digital technologies as key to me finding my happy place in the magic of music and the power of sound.
Q: What’s been the most rewarding part of working on the Bradford Digital Creatives project so far?
A: Working with the students has been amazing. They have so much of value to say and seemed to really enjoy the relative freedom to express their views on their own terms. Once they had learned how to use the tech and techniques I introduced them to, it was wonderful to support them to express their humanity via the technology.
Q: Were there any surprises along the way?
A: Absolutely! I was pleasantly surprised by just how keen the students were to get stuck in and create powerful sound art. Each group brought their own unique style and approach, but the common thread was their passion and care for the world around them.
Q: Why do you think it’s important for students to participate in arts and culture activities like this?
A: I think it’s important for many reasons. Firstly, it shows them that there’s a career path in music, sound, and art beyond the conventional “fame game”. They see that it’s possible to carve out a rewarding career in music and sound even if you didn’t do it at school. Secondly, hands-on experience with tools like DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations) builds not just technical skills but creative confidence. And finally, projects like this allow young people to express themselves and be heard on their own terms. That sense of agency and belonging is invaluable—something they can carry with them into all areas of life.
Caro will continue delivering workshops in 2025 across the six schools involved in the Bradford Digital Creatives project: Appleton Academy, Bradford Alternative Provision Academy, Carlton Bolling, Carlton Keighley and Belle Vue Girls’ Academy. You can follow her wider work on her website.
Find out more about Bradford Digital Creatives on our website.