Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Tutors and Staff (A to Z)
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Catherine Benson
Vocal Tutor
Catherine Benson studied at Chethams School of Music and then The Guildhall School of Music , studying with Noelle Barker. She spent three years at the Guildhall gaining her AGSM and a further two years on the opera course under the guidance of Vilem Tausky. After Guildhall, she embarked on a successful freelance career...
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Zoe Beyers
Violin Tutor
Zoë Beyers began violin lessons with Noel Travers at the age of six. Since her debut aged eleven with the Swedish Chamber Orchestra under Paavo Järvi, she has performed with many distinguished conductors in the UK and Europe. In 2002, Zoë opened the St Petersburg Musical Olympus Festival with the St Petersburg Philharmonic,...
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Robin Bigwood
Harpsichord and Fortepiano Tutor
As a harpsichord soloist and continuo player (and sometimes also at the organ and piano), Robin has performed across Europe, the USA and in Japan with Passacaglia, Feinstein Ensemble, London Baroque, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Britten Sinfonia and Scottish Ensemble. Alongside his work in the classical sphere,...
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Robert Birchall
Piano Tutor
Robert began learning music first on his own initiative before starting piano and music lessons in his home town of Stafford with Percy Jones. He attended Chethams Music School and then studied privately with Ian Gleaves before going on to study at the Royal Northern College of Music where his principal teacher was George...
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Dave Blackadder
Natural Trumpet Specialist
Dave took up the trumpet aged nine following in the footsteps of his grandfather who was a bandmaster in the North East. He joined the Leicestershire Schools Symphony Orchestra and went on to study at the Royal College of Music with Michael Laird. After a season as guest principal trumpet with Scottish Opera he joined the...
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Dr Paola Botham
Senior Lecturer in Drama
Dr Paola Botham (née Sotomayor) is a theatre academic who specialises in modern and contemporary drama. She was born in Chile, where she studied Journalism and Aesthetics at Universidad Católica, ranked among the top higher education institutions in Latin America. After moving to the UK, she completed an MA in British Theatre...
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Chris Bradley
Percussion Tutor (Orchestral)
CHRIS BRADLEY is a member of the Orchestra of Opera North. He has worked with most of the British orchestras and ensembles but also with the Finnish Radio, Finnish Chamber, RTE NSO, Mahler Chamber Orchestra, World Orchestra for Peace, Philharmonia Hungarica and at the Salzburg festival with the Vienna Philharmonic. He teaches...
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Anna Brooks
Saxophone Tutor
Anna Brooks is a dynamic saxophonist, arranger, and educator, celebrated for her high-energy, highly skilled, and soulful playing. A longstanding member of Jools Holland’s Rhythm and Blues Orchestra and formerly of Brooklyn Funk Essentials , she has toured worldwide and recorded with artists including Rod Stewart, Jools...
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Joe Broughton
Lecturer in Folk Music and Director of Folk Ensemble
Joe Broughton is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer and educator based in Birmingham, UK. As well as his own internationally renowned band The Urban Folk Quartet, Joe has played with everyone from Joss Stone to Fairport Convention. His compositions have been performed at The Royal Albert Hall and the Barbican Centre in...
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Daniel Browell
Associate Head of Keyboard
Daniel Browell enjoys a busy and varied performing career. Described as a pianist of “considerable intelligence and grace” ( Tim Ashley , The Guardian), he has given concerts throughout the UK, Europe, China, and North America. His recital at London’s Purcell Room in the Southbank Centre and his concerto performance at...