Eugene Ughetti has stepped down as Artistic Director of Speak Percussion, the position he has held since he co-founded the group in 2000. Kaylie Melville, who was appointed Co-Artistic Director alongside Ughetti in 2023, will now solely manage the position.

Eugene Ughetti. Photo © Bryony Jackson

“For a quarter of a century I’ve poured my love, curiosity and whole self into a multitude of ambitious new works with this organisation. The opportunities, challenges and achievements have been many, and I’m deeply thankful for all of them,” said Ughetti.

“Founding Speak Percussion and guiding it over twenty-five years has shaped me profoundly, both as an artist and as an arts leader.”

Across his time as Speak Percussion’s founding director, Ughetti has overseen the commissioning of over 220 new works and premieres. The group has collaborated with composers including Steve Reich, Liza Lim and Jon Rose, and has showcased work at international venues and festivals including Germany’s Ruhrtriennale, the Barbican, Italy’s Transart, Tage für Neue Musik Zürich and the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival.