Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Tutors and Staff (A to Z)
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Nicholas Stringfellow
Associate Head of Strings and Cello Tutor
Nick Stringfellow began learning the cello through the Rotherham Schools Music Service and soon won a place to study at Chethams School of Music. From this point he started to develop a fascination with the art of ensemble playing and a love of the chamber music repertoire. He also formed a continuo partnership with...
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Naomi Sullivan
Head of Saxophone
Naomi Sullivan studied at Chetham’s School of Music, the Royal College of Music and Northwestern University, Chicago. She has performed across the UK as part of the Countess of Muster Recital Scheme and also for ‘Live Music Now!’ As a chamber musician, Naomi has been a member of a several groups – including Paragon Saxophone...
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Miki Takahashi
Baroque Violin Tutor
Miki Takahashi is a baroque violinist, celebrated for her performances as a soloist and chamber musician. She began her musical journey by studying in Japan and later under Professor Lorand Fenyves at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, Canada. It was during her studies in Canada that Miki discovered her passion for...
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Mr Richard Thomas
Natural Trumpet & Cornett Tutor
Richard studied at the University of Wales, the Royal Academy of Music and the Schola Cantorum, Switzerland. As part of his Master of Arts degree, Richard undertook research into the William Shaw Silver State Trumpets housed in the Jewel House, at the Tower of London. Richard has been a regular performer at Shakespeare’s...
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Gwion Thomas
Vocal Tutor
The baritone, Gwion Thomas was born in Gorseinon, South Wales and gave up a career in banking to study singing at the Royal Northern College of Music , Manchester, where he graduated with Distinction, winning many prizes. His operatic roles include Figaro in Barber of Seville and First Mate in John Metcalf's Tornrak for...
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Alan Thomas
Trumpet Tutor
Alan is a former Principal Trumpet of the BBC Symphony Orchestra and City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. He is now proud to be serving in the Royal Air Force Music Services and is a member of Onyx Brass and a founder member of Septura Brass Septet. As well as being a Trumpet Tutor at RBC Alan is also a Trumpet...
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Dr Gareth Thomas
Senior Lecturer and Assistant Course Director (Undergraduate)
Dr Gareth Thomas is a full-time lecturer at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. He completed his BMus and MA degrees at Cardiff University before moving to the University of Birmingham to complete his PhD on ‘The impact of Russian music in Britain 1893-1929’. He has been part of the teaching staff at RBC since 2001. His interests...
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Professor Shirley Thompson
Vice Principal (Music)
Shirley Thompson is a graduate of Hull University (BMus, 1987; PhD, 1998). She took up her post at Birmingham Conservatoire in 2001, and was promoted to her present role as Director of Postgraduate Studies in 2009. This role combines the management of the Conservatoire’s taught postgraduate courses with teaching (at both...
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Roy Thompson
Alexander Technique Tutor
Roy grew up in Birmingham and attended the Junior Department of the Birmingham School of Music (now the Conservatoire) where, as an external candidate, he gained a Performer's Diploma in clarinet from Trinity College of Music, London. While studying for a degree in music at London University he became increasingly interested in...
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John Thwaites
Head of Keyboard
Professor John Thwaites is best known for his collaborative work with strings and as a founder member of the Primrose Piano Quartet. The Primrose have commissioned and recorded important new work by Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, Anthony Payne, Sally Beamish, Steve Goss and John Casken, and have recorded the earlier twentieth...