why work with me

Twenty years of professional conducting experience.

Doctorate in Choral Conducting.

International clinician and guest conductor.

Trusted mentor to conductors across the UK and beyond.

Hundreds of musicians coached.

No gimmicks, competitive edge or ego. Only authentic connection.

One simple goal: Helping good musicians become exceptional conductors.

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, was Director of Training for the Association of British Choral Directors, am a Choral Conducting Ambassador for Royal Holloway, University of London, and regularly invited to present at Choral Festivals and Events in the UK and Europe. Teachers, students and emerging professional conductors often seek me out - either privately, at one of my masterclasses or on a choral course - to bridge any gaps in their training, and to learn new ways of thinking about, and developing, their choral leadership skills.

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.

Having delivered a broad range of diverse, interesting and suitable programmes for so many choirs - ranging from Baroque works with period ensembles, through to Gospel music with band, and everything in between, including initiating and delivering new commissions, and managing recordings - 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