Tim Kennedy
Tim works as a freelance piano accompanist alongside his singing. He therefore particularly enjoys accompanying and coaching singers, and has been praised for his empathy with them. He is a registered accompanist member of the British and International Federation of Festivals, and has worked for them as official accompanist at a number of music festivals in the North of England including The David Clover Festival of Singing.
Mark Wildman
Mark is an internationally respected singer and vocal teacher. Since 1982, Mark has taught at the Royal Academy of Music, serving as Head of Vocal Studies from 1991 to 2017. He has trained many award-winning singers who now perform at major opera houses including La Scala, the Metropolitan Opera, and the Royal Opera House. He has also given masterclasses internationally and received honours including Fellowships of the Royal Academy of Music and the Royal Society of Arts.
Philip Collin
Philip Collin is a British organist, conductor, and pianist who studied piano accompaniment at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He serves as the Music Director and Conductor of the Sheffield Bach Society and the Halifax Choral Society.
Wilma McDougall
Wilma is a vocalist, educator and workshop leader who teaches throughout the UK and Europe, delivering courses and seminars for organisations including the Association of British Choral Directors, Association of Teachers of Singing, National Youth Choir of Scotland and Sistema Scotland. She previously taught at Glasgow and Napier Universities and was vocal tutor for the Royal Scottish National Orchestra Junior Chorus for sixteen years.A Cambridge graduate with a Masters in Music from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (now RCS), Wilma studied with Nigel Wickens, Laura Sarti and Patricia MacMahon.
Rachel Fright
Rachel Fright studied with scholarships at Pembroke College, Oxford, and the Royal Northern College of Musicis a Professional, collaborative pianist and accompanist. She serves as the accompanist for the Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus and works as a tutor and musician for many organisations
Luise Horrocks
Luise is renowned for her discerning yet encouraging adjudications, she inspires participants to achieve their full potential. Her work is supported by a Post Graduate Certificate in Adjudication from Leeds University. As an adjudicator member of the British and International Federation of Festivals, Luise has extensive experience adjudicating at festivals throughout the UK and overseas. Her international experience includes the Singapore Performing Arts Festival, Sligo International Choral Festival, Cork Feis Maitiú, School Song 2000, and over 80 major and smaller festivals across the UK.
Catherine Hall – Smith
Catherine is an experienced accompanist of 37 years and teacher, with a history of working in musical education and performance. Skilled in helping students achieve their full potential, she is a strong education professional with a PGDip focused in Piano Accompaniment and Advanced Musical Studies from the RNCM.
Nigel Gyte
Nigel has previously been a concerto soloist and orchestral pit keyboard player (including a UK Tour of the musical Blood Brothers. He has also been a resident accompanist for the Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus, Rotherham Choral Society and South Yorkshire Opera.
Alan Eost
After graduating from the University of Cambridge with an MA in Mathematics and Music, Alan began his career as a music teacher, eventually becoming Head of Music at King Edward VII School in Sheffield. He has taught piano at both the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Music School.