Staff A-Z

ichard is a professor of viola and violin at Trinity Laban and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. He is also on the teaching faculties at the University of Bristol, the University of Bath and Goldsmiths, University of London.

Skype lessons are a new feature of Richard’s work. Students from Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, Russia, Norway, Belgium, Switzerland, France, Spain, Italy, and major cities throughout the United Kingdom are all benefiting from the flexibility of internet lessons. This often gives students from these countries more confidence to travel to the UK to benefit from the mini-courses with Richard before taking exams.

His younger students gain scholarships to prestigious schools in the UK, have won first prizes at national and international competitions, and gain places with the National Youth Orchestras of England and Wales.

He has coached on courses in Korea, Spain, France, Italy and the UK, and is a member of a team of international teachers and soloists who give recitals, masterclasses, individual coaching and chamber music for the organisation Language and Music for Life.

His most gifted postgraduate students secure positions with major orchestras in London, throughout the UK and abroad. Young professionals return for refresher lessons when preparing for auditions.

Richard has also produced the Crabbers Scale Manual for Violin, Viola and Cello. This unique system uses letters and numbers and is specifically designed to help students who have difficulties with learning scales. The system has received favorable acceptance by his colleagues.

She studied Theatre at Dartington College of Arts in the 80s, where she first encountered Release Dance with Mary Fulkerson and Contact Improvisation with Steve Paxton and Mary Prestidge. As a performer, Kathy has worked with Steve Paxton, Laurie Booth, Yolande Snaith and Motionhouse Dance Theatre, Michael Mayhew, Jia-Yu Corti and Florence Peake. Her practice is also informed by studies in education, psychology, shiatsu, and an MA in Dance and Somatic Well Being.

Kathy’s previous work includes: performing with Motionhouse Dance Theatre, Jai- Yu Corti and Florence Peake; collaborations with choreographer Yolande Snaith and theatre directors Richard Gregory and Tim Wheeler; research and performance-making with choreographer/composer Sarah Goldfarb; site-specific work with composer Charles Hayward; improvised music and dance with composer Paul Bartholemew; and Live Art with Michael Mayhew. Kathy is a member of SoFt, a collective of artists with a mutual curiosity for exploring ensemble performance, CI, and improvised music.

Tony has had close ties with music making in Norway where he held the position of co-principal trumpet in the Bergen Philharmonic orchestra and the contemporary music ensemble BIT20, in addition to teaching at the Bergen Conservatoire. On returning from Norway Tony enjoyed a period of six years working as principal trumpet in West End musical theatre. It was during this period that he realised a long held ambition to train as a teacher of the Alexander Technique, which he now uses as an educational tool in his instrumental teaching. Tony has taught at the Purcell School for the last twelve years and also holds teaching positions at Trinity Laban, the London College of Music and the RAF. He continues to freelance widely.

Billy originated the lead role of Alex in the critically acclaimed world premiere of LEAVE TO REMAIN at the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith, a production written by Matt Jones (Doctor Who) and Kele Okereke (Bloc Party). He also understudied the role of Seymour in  the Olivier Award nominated production of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and played the role of Mark Cohen in the 20th Anniversary production of RENT (London/UK Tour).

Following his graduation, Billy’s stage career varied with roles such as the Mad Hatter in ALICE IN WONDERLAND (European Tour), Moritz Stiefel in SPRING AWAKENING (UK Tour), and Jesus in GODSPELL (Union Theatre). His West End debut came in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of MATILDA THE MUSICAL at the Cambridge Theatre, followed by CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY under the direction of Academy Award winner Sam Mendes at Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Billy gained a Broadway World nomination for understudying the role of Jesus in the Olivier Award-winning production of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.

In addition to his stage work, Billy is an accomplished recording artist having release two studio albums. His recent releases have been featured on BBC Radio 2, and he has been recognised as a BBC Introducing artist, collaborating with prolific songwriters and producers in both London and New York City. His creative talents extend to choreography, where he has directed music videos for MTV, Urban Outfitters, and other notable artists.

Dedicated to nurturing the next generation of performers, Billy teaches at esteemed conservatoires such as Arts Educational School of Musical Theatre, Emil Dale Academy, Italia Conti, and Urdang Academy. His commitment to fostering new talent inspired him to establish KIPA: Kingston Performers Academy, a theatre training ground that cultivates emerging young artists.

Billy has also assisted with the casting process for West End shows such as Matilda the Musical, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Hairspray and many more.

Recently, Billy has been involved in the development of new musical works, including THE CREAKERS by McFly’s Tom Fletcher, and SYREN, penned by Olivier Award nominee Anoushka Lucas and Jess Edwards. He played opposite Sir Ian McKellen in MOTHER GOOSE and in the role of Nicholas in the Old Vic Theatre’s A Christmas Carol. Billy workshopped the choreography and appeared in the Netflix musical film MATILDA, directed by Matthew Warchus and choreographed by Ellen Kane. Billy’s screen debut was playing the role of Hector in Russell T Davies’ IT’S A SIN for Channel 4/HBO.

Billy originated the lead role of Alex in the critically acclaimed world premiere of LEAVE TO REMAIN at the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith, a production written by Matt Jones (Doctor Who) and Kele Okereke (Bloc Party). He also understudied the role of Seymour in  the Olivier Award nominated production of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and played the role of Mark Cohen in the 20th Anniversary production of RENT (London/UK Tour).

Following his graduation, Billy’s stage career varied with roles such as the Mad Hatter in ALICE IN WONDERLAND (European Tour), Moritz Stiefel in SPRING AWAKENING (UK Tour), and Jesus in GODSPELL (Union Theatre). His West End debut came in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of MATILDA THE MUSICAL at the Cambridge Theatre, followed by CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY under the direction of Academy Award winner Sam Mendes at Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Billy gained a Broadway World nomination for understudying the role of Jesus in the Olivier Award-winning production of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.

In addition to his stage work, Billy is an accomplished recording artist having release two studio albums. His recent releases have been featured on BBC Radio 2, and he has been recognised as a BBC Introducing artist, collaborating with prolific songwriters and producers in both London and New York City. His creative talents extend to choreography, where he has directed music videos for MTV, Urban Outfitters, and other notable artists.

Billy has also assisted with the casting process for West End shows such as Matilda the Musical, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Hairspray and many more.

As leader of the Cummings String Trio and the English String Quartet, Diana has performed widely both nationally and internationally. The English String Quartet was also the resident ensemble of the London Festival of Chamber Music, a month-long event which during the course of 13 consecutive years (1995 – 2007) gave over 200 concerts, bringing an extensive repertoire of both familiar and rarely heard works to audiences across London.

With regard to orchestral work, Diana has guest-led the London Philharmonic, the BBC Philharmonic, the Liverpool Philharmonic and the Hallé Orchestra and has played with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields and the English Chamber Orchestra. She has performed Bach’s complete concerto repertoire with the London Bach Orchestra at London’s Southbank Centre several times, and she was leader and soloist of the Northern Chamber Orchestra. She is the leader of the Milton Keynes City Orchestra, often appearing as a soloist.

In all these capacities Diana has broadcast frequently and has made many recordings for major labels.

Diana is also a Professor and Fellow at the Royal Academy of Music, where as part of her work she is the Specialist for the LRAM Teaching Diploma. She is violin coach of the National Youth String Orchestra and is frequently invited to give masterclasses and workshops, and to participate as adjudicator, panel and jury member at Competitions and Festivals both nationally and internationally.

Ali graduated from Trinity Laban with a BA(Hons) in Dance Theatre and later gained her MA in European Dance Theatre Practice. She has a PGCE in Dance and is an experienced practitioner in teaching, performance and creative contexts.

As well as her work as Head of Harp at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London, and her recent appointment at Chethams School of Music in Manchester UK, Gabriella gives masterclasses and harp courses as well as orchestral courses in Italy, Spain, France, Sweden, Singapore, Tasmania and Australia. She has also been a jury member in competitions (BBC Young Musician of the Year [strings final]; F.Godefroid International Harp Competition in Belgium, Arpaplus in Spain and North London Competition, etc).

Furthermore, she is actively involved in community music projects, ranging from babies of a few months old to elderly people, hospitals and special needs schools.  Her wide experience of teaching all ages and all backgrounds reflects her commitment to music-making at the highest international level, not only in the solo scene but also chamber music and orchestral, and community work and cross-collaborations. Gabriella and choreographer Susan Sentler work together with dancers and harpists to promote new explorations between movement, sounds and shapes.

Gabriella has earned considerable recognition and has been supported by the Swiss fund ‘Junge Kunstler’. She is also the winner of numerous prizes, awards and scholarships, including the 1989 Victor Salvi Competition, Italy, and the Junge Kunstler prize, Switzerland.

In 2017 she received her Senior Fellowship in Higher Education, and the following year a Professorship.

Emily is the leader of the Hallé Orchestra, which she combines with a vibrant career guest leading other ensembles across Europe, alongside engagements as a soloist, chamber musician and teacher.

She is the Co-Artistic Director of Thirteen North, a thirteen piece string ensemble driven to bring classical music to new audiences.

She has previously held leading positions in the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and the Stavanger Symphony Orchestra.