OUR TEAM
Stephen Byrne
PRODUCER AND CEO
Stephen Byrne, THE BRIDGE Founder, Producer and CEO. Experienced start-up entrepreneur developing Big Ideas, building talent teams, scaling businesses and profitable exits.
Stephen has navigated three of his own businesses through the multiplicity of challenges that start up’s must deal with, is experienced with early stage risk management, very focused on building strategic market relationships, testing and trialling content and then pivoting product to an optimal and profitable market fit.
“Music has healing power. It has the ability to take people out of themselves for a few hours.”
Fiona Pearce
STRATEGY AND BRANDING
Fiona Pearce is a seasoned executive with 20 years of experience in the live entertainment industry, specialising in marketing communications, creative strategy, and audience development. She has worked on a diverse range of productions, forging successful partnerships, building global audiences, and delivering impactful marketing campaigns for theatrical and live touring events.
Since 2016, Fiona has led the marketing strategy for Disney Theatrical Group across EMEA, focusing on brand development and audience engagement. She has also co-produced the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour since 2008 and worked on campaigns for major acts and high profile enterprises.
Andrew Empson
PRODUCTION ADVISOR
Andrew is a member of the Playing Field team who are dedicated to accelerating the creation of world class theatre in London, nationally and internationally, across a variety of projects and productions. Andrew’s theatre career began backstage, then onto running three London Fringe theatres, before moving into West End general management and Production. He was Managing Director of PW Productions, producing a long series of West End and touring shows including The Woman in Black, An Inspector Calls, Amadeus and re-opening the Roundhouse theatre with Oh What A Lovely War from the NT. Since leaving PW Productions he has been involved in shows, events and theatre operations in the UK, USA and in Europe.
https://playingfield.co.uk/
Richard Lukens
STRATEGIC ADVISOR
Richard Lukens is the Founder & CEO of United Earth Networks and a pioneer in purpose-driven live events and next-generation communications. For over four decades, he has produced global concerts and broadcasts that combine music, technology, and social impact, reaching millions of people worldwide.
His work includes landmark events such as Live Aid, the first live interactive Space Bridge between the United States and the former Soviet Union, and major initiatives for the United Nations and the White House. Lukens uses shared cultural experiences to bridge divides, build understanding, and inspire collective action across generations and borders.
"Where words fail, music speaks."
Estelle Dixon
Strategy & Commercial
Estelle has designed and delivered creative transformation strategies for some of the world’s most influential organisations, including Sky, Penguin Random House and the United Nations. Her work spans growth strategy, proposition design and the development and launch of high-impact content and platforms.
Her focus for the last 2 years has been the strategy and transformation of Abbey Road, working with the SLT and Universal Music Group, guiding the evolution of one of the world’s most iconic creative institutions. With deep experience operating at the intersection of content, culture and commercial value, Estelle brings strategic thinking, executional rigour and a strong understanding of how premium creative IP is built, scaled and monetised.
Edward Evans
LEGAL
Edward is a corporate partner in Beauchamps Solicitors, one of Ireland’s leading full-service business law firms.
He specialises in corporate, commercial, entertainment and sports law, providing advice on a broad range of company law and commercial legal issues to a range of domestic and international clients in various industries.
He has, over 25 years in practice built up a particular expertise and interest in the sports and entertainment sectors, advising a range of sporting national governing bodies, stadia, professional teams, promoters, and sponsors.
"Music is the universal language of mankind."
Marla Altschuler
Marla Altschuler writes songs that resonate with global audiences, and designs technology that decodes the emotional impact behind them. Signed to Warner Chappell, Marla collaborates with chart luminaries penning #1 hits for artists and crafting songs that soundtrack everything from adverts, to video games, to film and TV.
Alongside her music career, Marla built a global reputation harnessing emotion and storytelling to drive connection, culture and impact, as a creative marketing lead for brands like Nike, Disney, Sony and the NHS and through Phiona AI a system that uses music as a foundation to power smarter content and more meaningful engagement across music, gaming and wellness
"The true beauty of music is that it connects people."
PRODUCER/MUSICAL DIRECTOR
Steve began his career as one half of remix/production team Brothers in Rhythm working with artists including Michael Jackson, David Bowie, Sting and Paul McCartney. Working with Kylie, Westlife, Steps, Louise and Marisha Wallace, Steve has been Kylie’s musical director for over 25 years including her current “Tension Tour’ and her legendary performance at Glastonbury.
Theatre credits include “Becoming Nancy” (Directed by Jerry Mitchell) at the Birmingham Rep , “Rent” Directed by William Baker at Duke Of Yorks Theatre. “Some Girl I Used To Know” (Starring Denise Van Outen) and new musical “The Most Beautiful Man In New York”.
"One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain."
TERRY ROLAND
Terry is a writer, composer, producer, and vocal arranger whose career spans music, theatre, literature, and television. His debut novel Becoming Nancy was shortlisted for the Polari First Book Prize and later adapted into a musical by Tony Award-winning director Jerry Mitchell.
His 1991 #1 club anthem What the Child Needs cemented his reputation as a songwriter and producer, leading to collaborations with Dannii Minogue, Kim Wilde, Kylie Minogue, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, and Girls Aloud. As a vocal arranger, he’s worked with Pharrell Williams, The Saturdays, and Westlife.
Terry co-wrote musical numbers for the BBC’s Beautiful People and was vocal arranger for the 2007 West End revival of Rent. Written with Ian Masterson and Steve Anderson, his new musical The Most Beautiful Man in New York is in its final stages of development, with production planned for 2026.
Presenter, Podcasts
Neil McCormick is an Anglo-Irish music journalist, author and broadcaster. He has been Chief Music Critic for The Daily Telegraph since 1995, and presented a music interview show for Vintage TV in the UK, Neil McCormick’s Needle Time.
"Music deserves to be the mandatory second language of all schools in the world. "
Scott Millaney
Producer, Podcasts
Scott Millaney Multi Grammy winner, and film producer for music led projects. Founder of MGMM Studios. Successful series include Video Killed the Radio Star including documentaries with top artists, including Pink Floyd Adele and Coldplay.
Experienced in Media Production, Music, Entertainment, Digital Media, and Film. Strong business development professional.
"Music can change the world, because it can change people. "
DES CULLEN
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Des Cullen, THE BRIDGE Creative Director and Co-Founder, has been composing music for over 30 years, most recently from his home studio.
Des studied at the Royal Irish Academy of Music where he completed Master’s on music for digital media. Des has also enjoyed a successful commercial career founding and developing creative led businesses.
Des has worked across film, multimedia, sound engineering, and live production projects, and was an early adopter of podcasting opportunities.
Nathan Johnston
Nathan Johnston is an Irish singer-songwriter from Mullingar. Inspired by artists such as Otis Redding, Jack Johnson and Paolo Nutini, Johnston began writing his own songs at the age of 12. His music is a blend of Soul, Pop and laid-back acoustic folk. Nathan performs as a solo artist also as the frontman for German band Angels of Libra.
In his work with THE BRIDGE, Nathan manages Artist and Music relationships.
“The best music is essentially there to provide you something to face the world with.”
Shoshi Israeli
Scott Millaney Multi Grammy winner, and film producer for music led projects. Founder of MGMM Studios. Successful series include Video Killed the Radio Star including documentaries with top artists, including Pink Floyd Adele and Coldplay.
Experienced in Media Production, Music, Entertainment, Digital Media, and Film. Strong business development professional.
“Music is always changing and the changes are unpredictable.”
ADRIANA CASAS
Adriana Casas serves as Graphic Designer for The BRIDGE, leading the visual development of key creative assets including pitch decks, website design, and ongoing website updates. Her work ensures a cohesive, polished visual identity across all digital touchpoints, supporting The BRIDGE’s projects and initiatives.
Through thoughtful design and clear visual storytelling, Adriana helps translate The BRIDGE’s mission and values into compelling graphics and digital experiences. Her contributions strengthen how our work is presented to partners, artists, and global audiences, ensuring clarity, consistency, and impact.