Newcastle Festival

Angela, a graduate in German from University College, London, followed a career in teaching before embarking on voice training with eminent teachers including the late Paul Hamburger.

Angela has encouraged her pupils to enter festivals for the opportunity to perform, hear peers and receive professional critique. Her hopes are that the experience will be challenging, educational and fun!  She endeavours to encourage performers, drawing on her love of poetry and experience as a performer and teacher. 

Angela directs Harmony ’96, which performs major oratorios twice a year and is MD of Eccles Community Choir which has performed in Lünen, Münster, Utrecht, Cologne, Bruges and Glasgow cathedrals and at the Menin Gate. 

Angela taught singing in a comprehensive school and a Sixth Form College where she assisted in the production of musicals and initiated the development of music in the curriculum for students with learning difficulties. She is a firm believer that music is an essential life skill from which no one should be excluded on grounds of ability.

 In 2019 Angela was a finalist in the Musicians’ Union Francesca Hanley Inspirational Teacher of the Year Awards and has been an adjudicator for twenty years.

After graduating from the Royal College of Music, Daniel performed as a professional flautist in orchestras, chamber ensembles and as a soloist. Daniel also has a teaching degree from Edge Hill University and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Warwick. 

For a number of years Daniel was Assistant Director of Music at Merchant Taylors’ School in Crosby and then Director of Music at AKS Lytham. He has conducted choral societies, choirs and numerous other groups in performances across the UK and further afield. This has included directing concerts in Westminster Abbey, Salzburg Cathedral, the United Nations and in St. Paul’s Chapel, New York. 

Daniel is currently Assistant Head of Bolton Music Service which is the lead partner of the Greater Manchester Music Hub. He works with all sectors of the local community to increase access to quality music making and to support music education across schools and colleges. Daniel is a Professional Mentor for PGCE students studying at the RNCM and Manchester Metropolitan University. He is also a Trustee of Trust Music which is a charity that generates funds to support music education and engagement for young people; particularly those who are experiencing significant barriers to accessing musical opportunities. 

Daniel still manages to find time to continue performing, deliver workshops and adjudicate as a member of the British and International Federation of Festivals. 

I have taught Speech and Drama for over 25 years, both in schools and through my own business, Spoken Words.  It’s been a real privilege to work with young people, seeing them grow in confidence and ability across the Performance and Communication spectrum. 

I have worked as a primary school Drama specialist, taught GCSE Drama, and prepared numerous students for Drama School auditions.  Being part of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Learning and Performance network really helped me to understand how a performer can connect with their audience.

As a LAMDA examiner, I was able to meet learners in Sri Lanka, China, Dubai and Europe.  I’ve always loved the interview section of exams because this is where young people can share their individual thoughts and understanding of what they are doing.  

When I’m not working with young people, I help professionals and organisations to be more effective communicators in meetings, presentations and interviews.  I also work with the charity The English Speaking Union, teaching Public Speaking and Debating skills.

Richard studied at Sussex University for a degree in Education, specialising in Music and also at the Royal College of Music where he gained a Diploma in Pianoforte Teaching and a Distinction in Grade 8 Singing. Richard was Director of Music at Burgess Hill School for Girls for nearly thirty years where he taught to A level as well as running a variety of extra-curricular activities including Chamber groups, Choirs and Orchestras. He has recently retired from full time teaching. 

Richard has taught piano and singing to Diploma standard and has also been a Moderator for GCSE Music and an examiner for A Level Music. In addition, Richard examines for the ABRSM and has completed a number of overseas tours. He is an experienced accompanist, conductor and singer and has worked with a number of different groups in the community including Choral and Operatic Societies. Richard ran his own choir, “Cantemus”, for over twenty years and raised over £300,000 for charity. He currently enjoys singing 1st Tenor in the Stratford-upon-Avon Chamber Choir.