I studied orchestral conducting with John Longstaff at Huddersfield University, and choral conducting with Peter Broadbent, Therees Tcak-Hibbard, Jo McNally and Dr John Dickson. I hold a DMA in Choral Conducting from Texas Tech University, USA, held an eight-year tenure as Director of Training for the Association of British Choral Directors, am a Choral Conducting Ambassador for Royal Holloway University, and regularly invited to present at Choral Festivals and Events in the UK and Europe.

I am currently Musical Director for Harlequin Chamber Choir, semi-professional upper voice ensemble Corra Sound, Nota Bene (Stevens & Bolton Law Firm Choir) and Semper Fidelis Singers (Gordon’s School Chamber Choir).

Having held numerous Musical Directorships over the years - ranging from Youth and Community Choirs to Choral Societies and Chamber Choirs, including the Royal College of Music Junior Department Choirs, the Aural Skills Choir at the Royal Academy of Music, and BBC2’s award-winning programme The Choir: Sing while you work - reinforced by extensive pedagogical training, expertise and application, means I know what it takes to develop, inspire, motivate and improve choirs.

I’ve successfully delivered diverse, interesting and suitable programmes for a broad range of choirs - spanning Baroque works with period ensembles, Gospel music with band, and everything in between - including initiating and delivering new commissions, and managing recordings - which means I can guide conductors appropriately with repertoire suggestions.

I’ve worked with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Great Little Orchestra, Merriman Concert Orchestra, 21st Century Baroque, Opera Femina, and numerous soloists including Olivia Jageurs, Emma Johnson and Dominic Sedgwick, so understand the personal qualities required to establish mutual respect and healthy working relationships with professional musicians.

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Harlequin Chamber Choir, Corra Sound, courtesy of Rachel Poulton