We are working on a fantastic team of professional adjudicators and they are at the heart of our Festival, offering advice and encouragement so enthusiastically. If you would like to perform something unusual and unsure about which class, then contact us. We are happy to help and advise and will not turn away unusual requests.
<p>Gary studied as a junior at the Guildhall School of Music, where he won the Director’s Prize, and later was awarded a scholarship to study at the Royal Academy of Music (RAM). In 1991 he graduated with first class honours and many awards including the Julian Bream Prize.… Read More >
Gary studied as a junior at the Guildhall School of Music, where he won the Director’s Prize, and later was awarded a scholarship to study at the Royal Academy of Music (RAM). In 1991 he graduated with first class honours and many awards including the Julian Bream Prize. Post-graduate studies followed at the RAM with an award from the Fleming Trust and was made an Associate of the RAM in 1997. Gary's London recital debut at the Purcell Room in 1994 was highly acclaimed by the critics. He subsequently performed a series of recitals for the Kirckman Concert Society at the South Bank Centre. In 1996, aged 27, he became Professor of Guitar at the Royal College of Music (RCM); he currently combines his role there as Assistant Head of Strings with a varied international career as a performer and composer. In 2013, he was awarded a Fellowship of the RCM becoming the first guitarist to be given this accolade since John Williams in 1983. Gary has also collaborated with John Williams and jazz guitarist John Etheridge to form 6 Hands. The guitar trio has since toured the UK extensively and has a new recording; further performances are scheduled for 2018. His celebrated compositions are often broadcast on Classic FM and have broadened the instrument’s appeal, combining traditional classical techniques and contemporary styles with a rich variety of musical influences from around the world.
<p>Rebecca read Drama and English at Bristol University followed by a career in radio journalism, working in both drama and documentaries. After which Rebecca moved into teaching where she developed her speech and drama skills, working at schools and colleges in the South West… Read More >
Rebecca read Drama and English at Bristol University followed by a career in radio journalism, working in both drama and documentaries. After which Rebecca moved into teaching where she developed her speech and drama skills, working at schools and colleges in the South West of England. Rebecca continues to work in a variety of educational establishments, running weekly classes, workshops and facilitating training to assist schools implement the constructive Speaking and Listening Criteria. Rebecca is also an adjudicator for The Rose Bowl Amateur Awards, reading and reviewing plays and musicals in seven counties throughout the south west.
Ben is a freelance musical director, adjudicator, singing coach and accompanist, working internationally. Born and based in London, Ben initially trained as a flautist, with subsequent studies in piano, singing and conducting. Starting out as a jazz pianist singing and playing… Read More >
<p>Jane trained as a soprano at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and then at the Royal College of Music where she won many competitions and awards. She performs solo art song recitals across the country and has toured South Africa, Europe and America. She is Head of… Read More >
Jane trained as a soprano at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and then at the Royal College of Music where she won many competitions and awards. She performs solo art song recitals across the country and has toured South Africa, Europe and America. She is Head of Singing at Chelsea Academy and singing tutor at Imperial College, London. A former member of the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain she now conducts New Malden Voices and New Malden Youth Choir. Jane has premiered many contemporary operas and frequently works alongside composers on new works for the stage and for recordings. She has performed oratorios and concerts at Edinburgh Festival, Royal Albert Hall and many other distinguished venues. Jane leads vocal masterclasses and workshops internationally and often runs ‘audition technique’ days for aspiring singers. Her voice has featured on a wide variety of albums and recordings from children’s repertoire to contemporary folk rock.
<p>Nadia Hinson graduated from the Royal Academy of Music afterhaving studied the violin with Manoug Parikian and the pianowith Jean Harvey. She began a career as a freelance violinist andaccompanist and co-founded the Veloce ensemble (clarinetquintet) touring Britain performing… Read More >
Nadia Hinson graduated from the Royal Academy of Music afterhaving studied the violin with Manoug Parikian and the pianowith Jean Harvey. She began a career as a freelance violinist andaccompanist and co-founded the Veloce ensemble (clarinetquintet) touring Britain performing specially commissioned worksand her own arrangements and compositions for that genre. Aregular recitalist for music clubs, she also performs with herfamily of musicians in the UK and in Europe. She is currently the owner and Directorof Hinson School of Music in Nottingham, and as well as being a festival adjudicatoris an international examiner for the ABRSM and a member of The Royal Society ofMusicians. Nadia is a Senior Consultant for the Performing Arts to the LEADAcademy Trust in Nottingham. She has set up composition workshops inspiringchildren to explore feelings and ideas through music and is a mentor for the Trust todevelop self-confidence and communication through learning and performance.
<p>Paul has established an international reputation as one of Britain’s leading music educationalists. He studied at the Royal Academy of Music, where, as a pupil of John Davies, he won the August Manns Prize for outstanding performance in clarinet playing. He has taught in… Read More >
Paul has established an international reputation as one of Britain’s leading music educationalists. He studied at the Royal Academy of Music, where, as a pupil of John Davies, he won the August Manns Prize for outstanding performance in clarinet playing. He has taught in the UK, the USA, the Far East, New Zealand and Australia and has undertaken research into specialist music education for the highly talented. He has many publications to his name, mostly concerned with music education. His book, “The Music Teacher’s Companion”, won the UK’s Music Industry Association’s Best New Book award in 2001. He writes for many national and international journals and made an appearance in the final Inspector Morse novel!
<p>Chun-Wah Pang is based in the United Kingdom and is celebrated for his exceptional teaching, judging competitions and scholarship awards internationally. His students based in the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Beijing, Malaysia, Thailand, Geneva, Milan, Vienna, Spain, New York… Read More >
Chun-Wah Pang is based in the United Kingdom and is celebrated for his exceptional teaching, judging competitions and scholarship awards internationally. His students based in the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Beijing, Malaysia, Thailand, Geneva, Milan, Vienna, Spain, New York and Calgary, are first prizewinners and hold top honors at Clavis International Bavaria 2025, Amigdala International Piano Competition Italy 2019-2023; Feurich International Piano Competition 2018-2023 Vienna; Carles and Sofia International Piano Competition 2023 Spain; Vienna International Music Competition 2024, the VI International Liszt Ferenc Competition Hungary 2023; Carmel Arts International Piano Competition USA 2022; Monegro 88 Keys International Piano Competition Spain 2021; London Young Musician International Piano Competition 2020-2021; Harmonium Plus International Piano Competition Armenia 2020, Music and Stars International Piano Competition 2020; Costa Festa International Piano Competition 2019 Spain; Tadini International Piano Competition 2019 Italy, Canadian Music Competition 2019 (violin) Canada; Clavis International Piano Competition 2018 St Petersburg Russia; National EPTA-UK piano competition 2023, 2020. Several of his students have also won the Elena Cobb Star Prize Award and have performed at the Royal Albert Hall.