Bridgend Male Choir Musical Professionals

The Bridgend Male Choir are fortunate to have extremely high quality Musical Direction, from Mr John Jenkins BA, FTCL, ARCM, LTCL, MTC of Clydach, Swansea. The accomplished Accompanists of the Choir are Rhiannon Williams-Hale LGSMD, LRSM, LTCL, ATCL, ALCM and Cheryl Jones, BA (Hons)and Laura Smith BMusHons, DipABRSM, all based in South Wales. Please read more about each of them below.

Musical Director

John Jenkins

John Jenkins BA, FTLC, ARCM, LTCL, MTC was born in Neath, South Wales, read music at University College Cardiff and London University; and gained performance and teaching diplomas on trumpet, studying at the Welsh College of Music and Drama and the Royal College of Music.

As a conductor, John has worked with the Bristol Sinfonia, the Phillip Jones Brass Ensemble, members of the BBC National Orchestra for Wales and the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra. He founded both the Swansea Sinfonia and the Neath Symphony Orchestra and has conducted all over the country as well as in Germany, Denmark, Austria, Australia and the USA. He has appeared with many famous artists including Campoli, Sir Geraint Evans, Max Boyce, Nigel Kennedy and Julian Lloyd Webber.

Since his appointment as conductor of the Bridgend Male Choir in 2002, John is delighted to have seen the Choir grow by over 25%. He regards the Choir’s performance at Worcester Cathedral and the winning performance at the Newport National Eisteddfod as two of the highlights of his entire musical career, and is proud to be part of the development of this outstanding group of men.

Accompanist

Rhiannon Williams-Hale

LGSMD LRSM LLCM LTCL ATCL ALCM - Born in Cardiff in 1976, Rhiannon was raised in Barry, receiving her education through the medium of Welsh. Through this influence, Rhiannon's early career developed as a singer, winning many competitions culminating in being awarded the prestigious title of 1989 National BET Choirgirl of the Year. Solo performances at the Royal Albert Hall, St David's Hall, a recording and TV appearances followed and she achieved her Grade 8 in Singing whilst a part-time scholarship student at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. She became a member of the National Youth Choirs of Wales, Great Britain and the RSCM Cathedral Singers, where she was successful in obtaining her St Cecelia Senior Award & awarded the David Lloyd Vocal Scholarship on entrance at Cardiff University studying under Jeannette Massochi.

Now highly sought after as an accompanist, Rhiannon's professional career began soon after being awarded a part-time scholarship to study piano at 'The Royal Academy of Music, London' with professor Graeme Humphrey, as a result of two Associated Board prizes. In 1998, she was appointed accompanist to the renowned Treorchy Male Choir and appeared in over 100 Concerts, two recordings and tours to Australia and America/Canada before relinquishing this position in 2002 to further her musical aspirations. Appointed Musical Director of the Ynysybwl Ladies Choir the same year, Rhiannon continues this along with her freelance solo accompanying work, private teaching practice at her Treorchy home and percussionist with the Newbridge (Celynen) Brass Band.

Achieving "Distinctions" in all of her Pianoforte Licentiate and Associate Diplomas from the Trinity College, London College and Royal Schools of Music, she is currently working towards her Fellowship examinations.

Rhiannon was appointed accompanist to Bridgend Male Choir in 2003 and has since toured with the Choir to Spain, Germany and Northern Ireland as well as appearing in the Choir's run of competition successes. She played with Distinction during the Choir's winning performance at the '2004 National Eisteddfod' and was specially commended by the adjudicator's for her outstanding accompaniment. Her talents with the baton have also been seen on a number of occasions in the Musical Director's absence. Rhiannon's latest prestigeous recognition is being invited to accompany the 1,000 Voices Concert at the Royal Albert Hall in 2010.

Accompanist

Cheryl Jones

Born and educated in Lampeter, Cheryl Jones BA(Hons) now lives in Cardiff and works as a freelance sound recordist and private tutor. Despite her busy schedule she continues to fulfil her role as accompanist of the Choir.

She attended the Welsh College of Music and Drama (WCMD) and gained a BA(Hons) studying under Simon Shewring and Julian Jacobson. At the College, Cheryl gained many awards and performed regularly as a soloist and accompanist for the critically acclaimed Cardiff Bay Chamber Orchestra. She was also a member of the WCMD Piano Trio, working closely with the Brodsky Quartet.

Cheryl first performed with the Bridgend Male Choir whilst at the WCMD, and she has since accompanied them on their tours to Southern France, Canada, Jersey and Germany.

Accompanist

Laura Smith

Laura Smith BMus (Hons) DipABRSM

Being born and bred in the Rhondda Valley, Laura was immersed in music from an early age. She started studying piano at the age of 7, and was soon playing competitively at local and national level. Laura studied with highly accomplished tutor and accompanist, Rosalie Evans LTCL LWCMD, who had a major influence on her musical development.

Laura's professional accompaniment career began in 2004 when she became accompanist to Pontypridd Choral Society. In October 2006 she was appointed accompanist to Ynysybwl Ladies Choir and later that month joined the music staff at Bridgend Male Choir.

Laura graduated from the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama in 2007 after 4 years of extensive piano studies with Michael Young BA MMus ARCM. She is currently in the final year of the MA Music Therapy course at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama.

As well as being a proficient pianist, Laura is also a brass band enthusiast. During her school years she was a prominent member of the Treorchy Comprehensive School Band, where she was taught by the famous Ieuan Morgan. She maintains this interest to this day, recently having competed with the BTM Band at the Championship Section National Finals in the Royal Albert Hall.