Inspirational leadership is one of the most important things we can offer our young singers. Led by Artistic Director, Rachel Staunton, our Senior Music Team are all choral conductors with many years experience of drawing the very best from young people. Our conductors encourage, nurture and challenge the members of their choirs, giving them a fantastically engaging and enlightening musical experience.
HARRY BAKER
Pianist (LYC Chamber Choir), Section Leader (London Youth Choir)
(he/him)
Harry Baker is an award-winning British pianist and composer active at the highest levels of both jazz and classical performance. As a jazz musician, he has worked with top jazz performers at London’s Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, King’s Place and the Jazz Cafe. As a classical pianist, collaborations with artists including singers Fatma Said (Warner Classics), Danielle de Niese (Metropolitan Opera) and cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason have led to performances at Wigmore Hall, Royal Festival Hall, the Verbier Festival and the Konzerthaus Dortmund, in addition to media performances on BBC1&2, BBC Radio 2 and Radio 3.
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His arrangements have been recorded on Decca Classics and performed at the Royal Albert Hall. Upcoming international touring highlights include the Konzerthaus Berlin in 2024.
AMALIA BEEKO
Assistant Leader (LYC South East)
Amalia is a first year, first study clarinettist studying at the Royal College of Music and was previously a member of the Junior Department there, for 8 years. When she's not playing the clarinet or piano, she can be found singing as part of the German Choir of London and is a pianist and assistant for a local primary school choir.
Charlotte Brosnan
Conductor (LYC South West)
Charlotte enjoys delivering workshops, CPD and facilitating education projects throughout the UK and Europe for various national organisations including the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain, The Voices Foundation, The Bach Choir, and the VOCES8 Foundation, and she is an ambassador for Britten-Pears Arts and a trustee for St Paul’s Opera. Charlotte is musical director for the East Herts Primary Singing Festival and Monumental Choir, Balham, a community choir that she founded in 2019. She also teaches singing at Kingston Grammar School. Charlotte is in demand as a workshop leader, presenter, and adjudicator. She has recently presented for the PTI, Music and Drama Education Expo, ABCD, Buckingham University, Music Mark and the National Singing Symposium.
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Charlotte has been a soloist in many of the world’s prestigious concert venues including the Royal Albert Hall, St Paul’s Cathedral, St Marks (Venice), Disney Hall (LA), National Concert Hall (Taipei) and sung at the FA Cup final and Six Nations rugby games. Charlotte recorded the Grammy Award winning Album, ‘Light and Gold,’ with the world-renowned composer Eric Whitacre. Until recently, Charlotte was a full-time member of Apollo5, an international award-winning vocal quintet that perform all around the world each year, mixing classical music with jazz, pop and contemporary composition. Charlotte recently sang the roles of Lady Billows in Albert Herring and Mother in Hansel and Gretel with St Paul’s Opera.
Charlotte is currently studying with Ben Johnson and future engagements include Unconditional Love by Howard Goodall.
Sally Carr
Assistant Leader (LYC South East)
Sally is a Scottish soprano and arts facilitator based in South East London. She works across performance, education, and community settings, with a strong interest in inclusive and participatory approaches to music-making. Her work focuses on creating opportunities for people of all backgrounds to engage with music, both as listeners and as active participants. As a performer, she sings with a range of choirs and ensembles and enjoys exploring a variety of musical styles and collaborative projects.
GABRIELLE CHUDI
LYC Schools & Communities Workshop Leader
Gabrielle is a singer/songwriter and vocal leader. Since completing music leadership training with Ark Schools, Gabrielle has worked with young singers in various contexts including, Ark Schools (Mentor and Artist), Newham Music (Vocal Leader), Spitalfields Music (Vocal Workshop Leader), Pegasus Opera (School Workshop Assistant), and Living Song (Young Artist). Gabrielle also joined the team at National Youth Choirs as a trainee to arrange and conduct a piece for the Training Choir.
LUCAS CUNHA
Pianist (LYC North East)
Lucas Cunha is a pianist based in London. He studied at the Royal College of Music Junior Department for three years under the tutelage of Yekaterina Lebedeva, and is currently studying piano at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, where he is the recipient of the Alfred and Therese Kitchin Scholarship and is continuing his studies with Prof. Lebedeva.
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Lucas has won various competitions in the UK, including first prizes at the North London Music Festival for Romantic, 20th Century and Jazz U18 categories, and the Enfield U18 Piano Competition in 2017. He has made a solo piano appearance with Haringey Young Musicians Symphony Orchestra (of which he is a former member) - playing both piano and orchestral percussion.
His successes have recently expanded from the UK to the international scene: he was invited to play in a gala concert in Shunde, China, and was one of the prize winners at the 2022 Musical Odyssey Masterclasses in Nafplio, Greece.
MATILDA (TILLY) DAWES
Assistant Leader (LYC Cambiata Boys)
(she/her)
Matilda (Tilly) is a Soprano in her final year at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. She has been in choirs all her life, including LYC Chamber choir. She is the recipient of the Kath Topping Song Prize, becoming the featured soloist of the Kent chamber choir. She has soloed in such venues as the Royal Albert Hall, Jackdaws music and in Siena with the SienAgosto school.
MARCELLA DI GARBO
Assistant Leader (LYC Junior Girls)
Marcella is an Italian soprano and vocal teacher. She graduated from the Conservatory in Genoa and furthered her studies in England, earning a Master of Performance from the Royal College of Music in London. In addition to her performances as a soloist and chorister in Italy and the UK, Marcella is passionate about teaching and using music for social impact. She is involved with the Nucleo Project (Sistema England) where she teaches Musicianship and Aural, and she conducts her own junior choir at St. George's Church in Holland Park.
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She also teaches singing for various agencies, preparing students for ABRSM exams. Marcella holds also a degree in Psychology from the Catholic University of Milan.
MARTHA DOWLAND
Assistant Leader (LYC North East)
(she/her)
Martha is a soprano singer in choirs across London and is a choral scholar in a church in North London. With these choirs, she has gained some amazing musical experiences such as singing a solo at the Royal Albert Hall, singing in professional recordings, and at many BBC Proms. Since recently graduating from Royal Holloway University with a degree in Music, she has been doing lots of singing alongside working in a music shop, doing some teaching, and also has a website from which she draws people’s pets!
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Martha was in the London Youth Chamber Choir for two years where she loved the organisation so much that she felt that she wanted to join the staff team!
Sam Gray
Assistant Leader (LYC Cambiata Boys)
(he/him)
Sam is a singer, pianist and conductor, originally from Birmingham and now based in North London. Having sung in school and liturgical choirs from a young age, he was fortunate to hold a choral scholarship for four years at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he completed both his BA and MPhil in Music. During his studies, Sam worked with a wide range of singers, from leading outreach projects in primary schools to conducting both his University Chamber Choir and Opera Society.
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Sam also discovered his love for composition whilst at university, and regularly produces original works and arrangements. Alongside his work for LYC, Sam is about to start work as a school music assistant, aiding both curricular and co-curricular activities. Sam also works for the National Youth Choir of Great Britain as a pastoral carer on their residential courses.
GWENLLIAN HUNTING-MORRIS
Assistant Leader (LYC North East)
Gwenllian is a freelance musician working with choirs across London. She is a vocal practitioner for Pimlico Musical Foundation, providing in-school workshops aswell as working closely with children and young people’s choirs. She also conducts an upper voice community choir based in West London. After graduating from King’s College London with a degree in Music, she took up the post of harp teacher at Hampton School where she continues to introduce boys to the harp.
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Alongside this, her work as a freelance harpist has involved playing at a variety of events in venues such as The National Portrait Gallery and recently with LYC North East in the Echoes of Britten concert at Shoreditch Townhall.
Gwenllian is a member of the National Youth Choir and Côr Llundain, a welsh-language choir which feels like a small slice of home in the middle of London!
SHARON JOHNSON
Assistant Leader (LYC Cambiata Girls)
Following work as a pastry chef, Sharon was looking to transition into a career in music in therapeutic settings when she received a job ad for a schools-based opportunity. She now works with children of a variety of ages as a school learning support assistant, using music to engage with and transition children through the school day. She has been a member of a Gospel Choir for 10 years, and is also a singer-songwriter.
OLI KITCHING
Conductor (LYC Cambiata Girls)
(they/them)
Oli is a conductor, facilitator, and singer working across the UK. A graduate of The University of Manchester, where they directed the chamber choir Ad Solem Oli further honed their skills as the Alexander Gibson Fellow with the RSNO Chorus. They have since collaborated with ensembles such as The Hallé, RSNO Chorus, MusArc, Blackburn Music Society and Sine Nomine Touring Choir, conducting large scale works like Brahms' Requiem and intricate chamber music alike. As founder of HCS Voices, the community choir of the Huddersfield Choral Society, Oli has fostered a spirit of inclusivity and community engagement. Alongside conducting, they run therapeutic music and songwriting workshops in prisons, schools, and for marginalised communities.
NOGA LEVY-RAPOPORT
Assistant Leader (LYC North East, LYC Cambiata Girls)
(they/she)
Noga Levy-Rapoport FRSA is an MMus Opera student at Trinity Laban, and is overjoyed to return for their third year with the London Youth Choirs, especially as a former member! They are passionate about enfranchising young people through music and community and their work has led them to collaborations with Arts Council England, the Barbican, the British Academy, and the English Touring Opera amongst others. They have directed and performed in numerous operas, including performances at West Green Opera House and the Duomo di Milano. She is a coordinator of Make Freedom Ring, a pan-European collective of classical musicians fundraising for humanitarian causes. They are also a graduate from the University of Warwick, where they were the manager of the Warwick Symphony Chorus and a section leader for the Chamber Choir.
JONATHAN LIEBECK
Pianist (LYC South East, LYC Junior Boys, LYC Cambiata Boys)
Jonny is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music where he studied the organ, and has a Master's Degree in Jazz Piano from Trinity Laban. Exposed to classical music during his youth, Jonny was playing the Church Organ at Mass every Sunday from the age of 13. He has performed at many venues giving solo recitals as well as being the Church organist of several churches throughout London over the years.
He performed at The National Concert Hall, Dublin at the age of 15, and has given organ recitals at St Paul’s Church, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Westminster Central Hall, Fairfield Halls, Croydon, The Duke’s Hall at the Royal Academy of Music, and St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh.
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During his late teen years, although progressing rapidly as an organist, Jonny discovered jazz and while studying the organ at the Academy, Jonny started teaching himself jazz piano in his spare time. It was also during this time that he started composing his own music.
As a jazz pianist Jonny gigs all over London and has performed at many London venues including the Southbank Centre, 606 Club, Pizza Express, 91 Living Room, Rich Mix, Toulouse Lautrec, Bush Hall & Jazz Cafe Posk. In 2019, he played keyboards for Mica Paris at The Round Chapel, Clapton and performed with Cuban jazz violinist Omar Puente at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
An active composer and band leader, Jonny has just released his new Influences EP, featuring 6 new compositions with his band. This is a follow-up to his 2nd album The Next Chapter released in 2023, as well as his debut album Mellow Mind & 2 EP’s A Message Through Sound and New Days & Past Times.
Jonny also has a huge passion for electronic dance music having released several EPs as a producer as well as being an active Jungle DJ and record collector.
Talia Lieberman
Assistant Leader (LYC Junior Girls)
Talia Lieberman is a soprano singer who first discovered her love of choral music when she joined her local choir in Southend, Essex. After graduating from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in 2024, she now combines performing with music education and outreach, aiming to show people from all backgrounds just how fun and exciting singing in a choir can be. Talia has sung with top ensembles such as Oxford Bach Soloists, The Sixteen’s Genesis Sixteen, and National Youth Voices alongside performing as a soloist. Outside of singing, you can find Talia cooking up something tasty or spending time with her lovely cat.
Jane Lindenberg
Assistant Leader (LYC West)
(she/her)
Since graduating, Jane worked for many years for The Sage Gateshead’s learning and participation department (now The Glasshouse International Centre for Music) as a vocal and music Leader and as a programme leader delivering The Community Music Traineeship. Jane has worked extensively across the North East, Dorset and London delivering singing and music projects in primary, secondary and special schools as well as adult community choirs.
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Alongside being an Assistant Leader for LYC West, Jane works for Ark Music as a Primary Vocal Curriculum Coach and for The Richmond Music Trust as an associate singing teacher. Jane is passionate about singing and music-making and believes it can be life-changing, particularly for those children and young people living in challenging circumstances.
MARISA MUÑOZ-LÓPEZ
Pianist (LYC Cambiata Girls)
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Marisa actively works as a choir teacher, collaborative pianist and composer, winning the Berlin Short Film Festival award for best soundtrack in 2024. She graduated from the Royal Academy of Music with Distinction and the DipRAM Award for best postgraduate performance.
DAN MORIYAMA
Pianist (LYC South West, LYC Junior Girls, London Youth Choir)
Dan Moriyama is a pianist, arranger, producer and genre-hopping multi-instrumentalist. An accomplished classical pianist, he specialises in playing with singers and choirs including London Youth Choirs where he is an arranger and resident pianist, singer Laura Wright, Military Wives Choirs, and renowned British composer Harvey Brough.
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In the popular music world he’s played keyboards, Hammond organ, and sung backing vocals with various artists including Dr Hook, the late Donna Summer, Tennessee blues singer Earl Thomas, and members of Madness, as well as leading his own band as writer, bassist and front man for over 10 years.
LAUREL NEIGHBOUR
Conductor (LYC North East)
(she/her)
Laurel is a musical director and singer with a passion for sharing music-making with others. She currently leads the staff choir for King's College London, conducts Note-orious Community Choir and is leading the new choir London Youth Choir North East. Laurel completed an apprenticeship with the Royal Opera House Thurrock Community Chorus in 2018, led the London Humanist Choir for ten years, worked for many years for Music in Offices. Laurel made her conducting debut at the BBC Proms in 2019 in John Luther Adams' In the Name of the Earth, and conducted Brahms’ Ein Deutsches Requiem in November 2022 with Wokingham Choral Society.
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Laurel studied music at the University of Nottingham and sang as a choral scholar at St Mary's. Growing up in Kent, she sang with Kent Youth Choir, played in Ashford Youth Jazz Orchestra, and learnt to play several instruments in her Mum's folk band. Upon moving to London she was a member of London Youth Choir itself in its founding year, singing with the chamber choir in their performance with The Rolling Stones at the O2 Arena in 2012.
Laurel has performed with many professional choirs, including St Martin-in-the-Field's Voices, London Contemporary Orchestra, Echo Vocal Ensemble, London Choral Sinfonia, National Portrait Gallery Choir, and St Paul’s Cathedral Consort. She is an alumna of Genesis Sixteen, the choral training programme of internationally renowned chamber choir, The Sixteen. She has toured the UK and made several TV and radio appearances with Gareth Malone's Voices, including UK tour “Singalong-a-Gareth” as a lead vocalist, and penny whistle and ukulele player in Autumn 2022.
Laurel is also passionate about getting younger voices singing. For several years she was project director for Dartford Choral Outreach and currently leads Hampton Court Palace’s Songstars project, providing singing support to state primary school children in South West London who have limited access to music. Laurel also currently teaches curriculum music for Southwark Music Service, and works as a choral leader with Voces8 Foundation and Voices Foundation.
In her spare time, Laurel can be seen pedalling around London on her purple Peugeot racing bike, Polly.
JESS NYANTAKYI
Assistant Leader (LYC South East, LYC South West)
Jessica is a passionate youth educator, with a drive to bring out the oftentimes hidden confidence in young people. She uses laughter and fun to encourage them to embrace their unique abilities and talents. One of her primary tools in this process, is her other deep passion - music.
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When not joyfully immersed at LYC, Jess is a library development officer, where she loves to engage with local communities and schools in the borough she services. Here she once again brings this passion for music forward, combining it with the magic of spoken and written words, to deliver fun filled events both in person, and in this new era, via zoom.
You will often find Jess, even with a book in hand, singing a song. Better still, you will find her dancing while singing with the under-fives, or teaching both parents and children calypso and pop tunes.
ANTONIO OLIVEIRA
Assistant Leader (LYC Junior Boys, LYC Cambiata Boys)
Antonio is a singer, choral leader and teacher from London. He was a founding member of the youth choir Inner Voices in 2011, and went on to study music at the University of Hull. Having been in the London Youth Choir in 2015, he is delighted to now be part of the LYC Staff Team.
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Antonio is passionate about providing opportunities for quality music making and singing to young people, and does this through his work with the London Youth Choirs, Ark Academies and Southwark Music Service. Currently, Antonio is completing a year-long Fellowship Programme with the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain.
MATTHEW QUINN
Conductor (LYC Chamber Choir), Section Leader (London Youth Choir)
Matthew is a versatile conductor/musical director from Belfast, Northern Ireland who is developing a reputation for his exciting and dynamic approach to his music making. Working primarily across the UK and Ireland, Matthew has conducted ensembles such as Chamber Choir Ireland, the Ulster Orchestra, Opera Collective Ireland/Academy für Alte Musik Berlin, RTÉ Concert Orchestra, Hard Rain Soloist Ensemble, and Northern Ireland Opera. He is currently Chorus Director at English National Opera, Musical Director of London Youth Chamber Choir, and of Cappella Caeciliana.
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He has worked as assistant conductor with ensembles such as the BBC Concert Orchestra, Crouch End Festival Chorus, and London Mozart Players.
He is a passionate advocate for music education, having previously conducted the National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain, Ulster Youth Orchestra (National Youth Orchestra of Northern Ireland), and London Youth Chamber Choir. He has collaborated on music education projects with the Ulster Orchestra, Northern Ireland Opera, and the Halle Orchestra. Matthew enjoys collaborations across many musical styles and genres; past collaborations include with Andrea Boccelli, Jamie Cullum, and Stephen Schwartz.
Shivani Rattan
Conductor (LYC Junior Girls, Assistant Conductor, London Youth Choirs)
Shivani Rattan is an engaging choral conductor, mezzo-soprano, and workshop leader based in London. She performs with the acclaimed all-female vocal quintet Papagena and is a sought-after session singer. Career highlights include conducting recordings for The Oxford Book of Choral Music by Black Composers (OUP) with London Voices, filming a new education project with the BBC coming out in 2026, and performing backing vocals for Ellie Goulding on BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge.
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Since 2020, Shivani has served as choral co-ordinator for Brent Music Service, while also collaborating with a wide range of national organisations. Her roles include Assistant Conductor for The National Children’s Choir of Great Britain, working in SEND schools with Music of Life, and Singing Schools Workshop Leader with Tenebrae. Shivani is a former National Youth Choir Fellow and now enjoys working with the organisation as a section coach.
A graduate of Royal Holloway, Shivani held a choral scholarship and directed The Founder’s Choir. With the chapel choir, she toured internationally and recorded works by composers including Joanna Marsh, Ben Parry, and Ola Gjeilo.
In 2022, Sing for Pleasure published her Three Indian Celebration Songs, designed to broaden representation in the choral landscape through accessible, joyful layering pieces. She has since been commissioned by Hal Leonard to write music for the same purpose.
BETHANY REEVES
Pianist (LYC West)
(she/her)
Bethany Reeves is a collaborative pianist and musical director. Bethany graduated in 2020 from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama (GSMD) with a Distinction in her masters in Piano Accompaniment, studying with Pamela Lidiard and Andrew West.
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Bethany is a staff accompanist at GSMD, musical director of Pimlico Opera’s weekly sessions at HMP Bronzefield, Founder/Director of The Solis Choir, and director of community choirs Vocal Chords and Longfield Voices. She is the accompanist for London Youth Choir West, and works as a repetiteur for Garsington Opera Participate. Bethany was recently Musical Director for Pimlico Opera’s production of Made in Dagenham, involving a mixed cast of prisoners and professional actors.
Bethany has been awarded GSMD’s most prestigious accompanist prize, and the accompanist prizes at the Emmy Destinn Awards and Courtney Kenny Award. She was a Leeds Lieder Young Artist in 2022, and a finalist in The Kathleen Ferrier Awards 2025, held at Wigmore Hall. Bethany also works as choral arranger for singer-songwriter Tom Rosenthal.
Bethany was previously Director of Music at St Mark’s English Church, Florence, and studied music at Brasenose College, Oxford, where she held organ and academic scholarships, graduated with a first, and studied piano with Anna Tilbrook.
Kwankaew Ruangtrakool
Conductor (LYC West)
(she/her)
Kwan is a Thai conductor and soprano driven by her ambition to create meaningful connections with people through music and inspire social change. She is currently pursuing her MA in Choral Conducting at the Royal Academy of Music, and holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Manchester.
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She is a 2025-26 Fellow of the National Youth Choir, a conducting Fellow with Hertford Choral Society and works with Camden Youth Voices at Camden Music Service. Her experience includes serving as the Associate Choral Leader at St. Martin-in-the-Fields and the Associate Conductor of the Covent Garden Chorus. She music directed the Manchester University Chamber Choir Ad Solem, the University Symphony Orchestra, and Somnium Chamber Choir.
As a singer, Kwan was recently selected to join the World Youth Choir 2025 in Catalonia and France. She has sung leading roles in opera productions with Bangkok Youth Opera and the University of Manchester, and has led a number of voice workshops in Thailand.
Caitlin Russell
Assistant Leader (LYC South West)
(she/her)
Caitlin is a soprano who starting singing with the London Youth Girls Choir when she was eleven. Since then she’s been a member of the LYC Chamber Choir, National Youth Training Choir and for the past few years choral scholar at Wadham College Oxford. Outside of choirs Caitlin sings in a folk singing duo and plays fiddle in English folk sessions.
MERLIE ANNE SEBASTIAN
Assistant Leader (LYC South West)
Merlie Anne was part of the LYC Junior Girls' Choir over five years ago and is excited to return as an Assistant Leader for LYC South West. She graduated from The BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology with a diploma in Music Performance and Production in 2020. She is currently a freelance vocalist and digital artist based in Sutton, as well as a member of the London International Gospel Choir.
Luke Sitaraman
Assistant Leader (LYC Junior Boys)
(he/him)
Luke is an experienced freelance tenor, composer, and musical director currently employed as a Lay Clerk at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford and an Assistant Leader for the London Youth Choirs, while pursuing several additional projects. He recently graduated from the University of Oxford with a First Class BA in Music (2021-2024) and an MSt in Musicology (2024-2025) specialising in ensemble performance and 20th century Anglican choral repertoire.
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Luke’s diverse musical experience spans early music to jazz and new music. He has directed ensembles including The Oxford Gargoyles and Oxford Harmony, co-founded the contemporary music collective Little Kitchen, and performs widely as a freelance musician across England and abroad. Passionate about collaboration and creativity, he also composes, with recent work including a score for the short film In the Bag (directed by Ann Hawker) and arrangements of popular, classical, and jazz music for various ensembles. Luke is currently mentored by Carys Lane.
RACHEL STAUNTON
Artistic Director, Conductor (LYC South East, London Youth Choir)
Rachel Staunton is a London-based conductor and the Artistic Director of London Youth Choirs, an award-winning choral organisation she co-founded in 2012. With a career dedicated to widening access to music for young people, Rachel has led choirs in performances for both royalty and global music legends — including The Rolling Stones and Diana Ross.
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Trained at Royal Holloway and the Royal Academy of Music, where she is now an Associate, Rachel also works regularly in TV and film, with appearances on ITV’s Good Morning Britain and credits on productions like Wallace & Gromit and The Twits.
Widely recognised as a passionate and innovative leader in music education, Rachel was recently shortlisted for the Francesca Hanley Inspiration Award for her impact on the next generation of musicians.
MEG STORER
Assistant Leader (LYC Junior Girls)
(she/her)
Meg is a conductor, flautist and private music tutor based in South-East London. Outside of LYC, Meg works with the London Symphony Orchestra as an Event Coordinator. Alongside her full-time work, she is a current Creative Learning Ambassador with the Benedetti Foundation; conducted the Portobello Orchestra for their Summer 2024 Season; along with being the secretary and permanent third flute/piccolo player for the Westminster Philharmonic Orchestra, having previously been the Assistant Manager at the London City Orchestra.
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Meg also has a loyal cohort of private music pupils, ranging in age from 6-adult, and covering a multitude of studies from flute, piano and music theory, to GCSE and A-Level Music preparation.
Meg studied at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance for six years, achieving a master’s degree in a personally tailored course in Conducting and Flute. Alongside her master's studies, Meg studied with Denise Ham at her London Conducting Academy, preparing her for the busy life of full-time and freelance work.
Hannah Sworn
Assistant Leader (LYC West)
Hannah is a professional singer and singing teacher. After training at Mountview Academy of Performing Arts, London she worked as a West End performer for 10 years in shows such as Mary Poppins, Hello Dolly and Legally Blonde.
Hannah has taught choirs and theatre groups all over the UK and is also a one to one vocal coach. She has a passion for helping the younger generation to achieve their potential and nurture their passions.
CHLOE TODD
Assistant Leader (LYC West)
Chloe is a singer, conductor and educator with a passion for creating music with others and outreach work. She is a graduate from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama where she studied her Masters and Undergraduate in Voice, graduating with Distinction in both and winning several awards. She regularly performs as a soloist in opera and oratorio, and loves curating interesting recitals. Chloe works with the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain and is a Musical Director for Liberty Choir, a charity who run community choirs within prisons.
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Chloe holds a Choral Scholarship at Holy Trinity Church in her hometown, Dartford. She is an outreach project leader with the church and the local primary school to inspire the next generation of young singers! She is really excited and grateful to be joining the LYC team!
EMILY VARNEY
Assistant Leader (LYC Junior Boys, LYC Cambiata Girls)
Emily Varney is a British soprano and music facilitator.
Alongside her work as a performer, Emily enjoys a vibrant and varied portfolio career designing and delivering music participation projects across the UK. She has collaborated with leading organisations including the National Youth Choirs, The Sixteen, Tenebrae, Opera Holland Park Inspire, Artis Foundation, Cathedral Music Trust, and The Hallé, creating inspiring opportunities for people of all ages to engage with singing and choral music.
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Emily graduated from the Royal Academy of Music with a Master of Arts with Distinction as a Josephine Baker Artist, studying under Mary Nelson and working with coaches James Baillieu and Joseph Middleton. An alumna of the National Youth Choir Fellowship and Genesis Sixteen, she also holds a First-Class Bachelor of Music from the Royal Northern College of Music.
She is grateful for the support of The Wayne Sleep Foundation, The Sir Richard Stapley Educational Trust, Steinberg Media Technologies, The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust, The Ofenheim Trust, Making Music, and AOTOS.
BEN VONBERG-CLARK
Conductor (LYC Junior Boys)
Ben has been teaching primary aged children since his year abroad in a children’s theatre in Vienna in 2008. He set up the three children’s choirs of St. John the Divine, Kennington, in 2013, where 80 children aged 5-18 now attend weekly rehearsals and perform in concerts around the country; they have also broadcast live on BBC Radio 2 and have a partnership with St. John’s College, Cambridge.
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Ben is increasingly in demand to lead one-off singing days and courses, working for the Red House, Aldeburgh, the Roman River Music Festival, the National Youth Choir of Great Britain, the Rodolfus Foundation and YK Pao School, Shanghai. He also conducts four office choirs in London and is the conductor of the University of Essex Choir and founder and director of the Wivenhoe Youth Choir. He ran the Singing Outreach Programme for Westminster Cathedral, working with 12 primary schools over London, from 2014-19. His book “Introducing Singing” was published by Trinity College London in March 2023.
Ben studied music and German at Durham University, University of Vienna, King’s College London and as a postgraduate in vocal studies at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. Alongside his conducting, he is seen regularly on the oratorio and recital circuit and has sung with the BBC Singers, the Sixteen, Stile Antico, Tenebrae and the Eric Whitacre Singers among others. In 2019 he performed a solo recital as part of the Aldeburgh festival.
Tristan Weymes
Conductor (LYC Cambiata Boys)
Tristan graduated with Distinction and DipRAM from the Royal Academy of Music’s Choral Conducting MA course. He is Director of Music at St Mary the Virgin, Merton Park, Conductor of University College London Chamber Choir and Guildford Chamber Choir. Tristan is also Deputy Artistic Director and Choral Lead of Elysium, an organisation which aims to provide musical opportunities to young people.
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Tristan’s workshop engagements include vocal and conducting workshops with RAM’s Widening Participation Department, leading with LYC, and working with Nadine Benjamin MBE towards her Christmas ‘Everybody Can’ concerts.