Staff Profiles

Alex joined NCO in March 2021. She works behind the scenes providing administrative support across all NCO activities. Alex studied music at the University of Birmingham where she made the most of an exciting and eclectic music scene. She is passionate about arts education and has previously worked at Junior Trinity.

Catherine joined NCO in July 2017, charged with developing the artistic and educational vision for the orchestras. She is a portfolio musician - alongside her role at NCO she is a professional violinist with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and a founder member of The Stringcredibles, a string quartet dedicated to exploring the relationship between classical performers and their audiences. Her priorities for NCO will be to bring the best conductors, tutors and repertoire to all our orchestras, to articulate and refine our curriculum and to connect NCO as widely as possible to the broader educational sector.

Charlotte joined the NCO in September 2021.  She is responsible for assisting the Communications Director in engaging with our young musicians and their parents as well as supporting the continued delivery of the NCO's message across various platforms.  Charlotte has recently submitted her PhD in Soviet Hungarian music at Cardiff University, is an enthusiastic piano teacher and also enjoys working with young musicians developing their musicianship skills at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

Chris joined the NCO team in February 2022.  She has had a career in the Education and Creative sectors, supporting and enabling children and young people to participate in musical activities.  She was previously Education Manager for the Music Education Hub at Bristol Beacon and is passionate about widening access for all children to experience music and the excitement of playing in an ensemble.  As Planning & Production Director, Chris will use her experience to ensure the future planning and successful delivery of NCO activities.  Chris enjoys singing with friends and playing the piano, and although rides a bike when the sun's out, prefers to watch motor sport! 

James joined NCO in December 2022 as Finance Director. He is responsible for every aspect of finance, from payment runs to financial reporting. James has been working within finance all his working life and in the charity sector since 2007. He has worked for charities that support adults with learning disabilities, young people with cancer and for a local organisation within the cultural arts sector. James is pleased to be returning to the arts sector where he has had previous experience of working within an Arts Council NPO.

Katie joined NCO in April 2018 and is responsible for the upkeep and organisation of NCO’s music library. She is a graduate of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and enjoys work as a professional flautist and tutor alongside this role at NCO. Katie is also the Head Librarian for BBC Cardiff Singer of the World and has worked on other BBC projects including Proms in the Park. In her spare time she can be found at the gym or planning her next travel destination.

Mary joined NCO in October 2022 as Project Manager. She studied Renaissance History at the University of Warwick where she was also an active member of the Wind Orchestra, Big Band and Chamber Choir. Mary comes from a very musical family and is passionate about music education. She has previously worked for London's The Bach Choir and at The Royal Academy of Music.

Rob joined NCO in March 2021, and works on developing and maintaining NCO’s new CRM system, as well as updating the member’s Website.  Rob studied music at Trinity College Dublin, and previously worked as a tour and production manager with Askonas Holt. organising concerts and performances around the globe for Joyce DiDonato, Dianne Reeves, the National Jazz Youth Orchestra USA, the New York Philharmonic and Sting.

Sarah joined the NCO team in November 2018.  She is responsible for looking after our important supporters, alongside managing an active portfolio of Trusts and Foundations, and handling the growth of the NCO Friends and Patrons programme. Sarah read Italian and Music at Cardiff University and, following a year spent living in Venice, she furthered her studies with a Master’s degree in Musicology.  A dedicated advocate for the arts, she has previously worked for Sinfonia Cymru and artist management company, Sulivan Sweetland. She plays the French horn, adores Italy and is an obsessive baker.

Siobainn is a qualified youth worker and organisational coach and mentor. She has over 30 years supporting children, young people and families as well as being a designated safeguarding lead for 20 of these. Siobainn loves to learn new things and her mission this year it to learn fly fishing and play a melodious tune on the violin.

Sophie joined NCO in February 2018.  In her role as Chief Executive, Sophie will oversee everything NCO does with responsibility for the strategic development of the organisation. Sophie has worked in the arts for 25 years, holding positions at English National Opera, Arts Council England and Welsh National Opera. As Chief Executive of Sinfonia Cymru from 2006, Sophie led significant growth in the orchestra’s programme, reach and profile; an achievement formally recognised in 2012 as winner of the inaugural ABO/Rhinegold Orchestra Manager of the Year.

Tamsin joined the NCO team in February 2023. She began playing the violin at 3 years old and spent many happy hours playing with orchestras, quartets and ensembles throughout her youth. After studying music in Manchester she went on to work in orchestral management for the English Chamber Orchestra and the BBC Proms. She is passionate that music making should be available to all so followed her interests into the world of Music Education working for Spitalfields Music, the Wiltshire Music Centre and Wiltshire Music Connect. Through her work, Tamsin looks at how people engage with music making and what the barriers are that can prevent us from doing so including perception, language and accessibility. She lives in Bath with her husband and 3 children and can often be found digging in the garden, playing with her local string orchestra or marching the hills with her trusted doggy companion.

Vicky has been a part of the NCO team since 2017. She has over 15 years of senior-level experience in development work for a variety of arts charities including Barbican Centre and English National Opera. Vicky's role focuses on fundraising to support NCO's vital work in the UK music education landscape. She loves music and also enjoys art and design exhibitions, reading, running and poker.

Having worked in the education sector for most of her professional life, Lynette is pleased to be involved with an organisation which provides a worthwhile service to young people. Her particular interest is in the area of Governance and Compliance and in this element of her role she works closely with the Trust Board and its committees and also supports in various areas of compliance across the organisation as a whole.