Stephen was appointed as Chorus Master of Belfast Philharmonic Choir in 2011.  He is also conductor of the Lothian based Garleton Singers and Director of Music at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Princes Street, Edinburgh. Stephen has studied both choral and orchestral conducting at Dartington and Canford International Summer Schools and was the joint holder of the first Alexander Gibson Memorial Scholarship in Choral Conducting with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra Chorus.

As a keyboard player and accompanist Stephen works regularly with the Ulster Orchestra, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and
Royal Scottish National Orchestra.  He is in demand as an arranger
and orchestrator and his arrangements have been performed by the Ulster Orchestra, the BBC and others including Proms in the Park and the televised launch of BBC Alba.

Val’s versatile career encompasses roles as workshop leader, choral director, singing teacher, voice consultant, author and singer.

As a vocal animateur Val is renowned for her infectious enthusiasm, energy and ability to motivate people about singing. She is experienced with all ages and abilities from nursery-level through to adult.  She is in demand nationally to direct large-scale performances and choral festivals often involving hundreds of young people. She is a highly sought-after vocal trainer to national music organisations, music services and universities and frequently acts as consultant to various national vocal initiatives. As well as directing her own youth choirs in England, she acts as guest conductor for other youth choirs. The best-selling Singing Sherlock series, published by Boosey & Hawkes, which Val co-authored, have become standard materials for singing leaders and music teachers.

As a singer Val’s eclectic vocal experience spans an intriguing range of musical genres, from reinterpreting screams from horror movies in the film Recital -  Voices from Five Films (Institute of Contemporary Arts) through to Monteverdi’s Poppea She is a founder member of The VoxTops, a trio singing cabaret and music theatre repertoire with a wry and edgy twist. Val was a soloist and ensemble member of Voicelab PULSE, directed by Mary King. This sixteen-strong group performed as artists-in-residence at London’s Southbank Centre singing a diverse range of vocal styles — classical, music theatre, jazz, pop, folk and gospel. Val has also performed with contemporary folk band Bellowhead (Queen Elizabeth Hall), the Lost and Found Orchestra, directed by the creators of STOMP (Royal Festival Hall) and with the Southbank Centre’s Emerging Artists in Residence (Royal Festival Hall).

Val is a graduate in Performing Arts, studied voice as a post-graduate at Birmingham Conservatoire and undertook further vocal training with Mary King.  She currently studies with Maureen Scott.

www.valwhitlock.com

Gail, a native of Mid-Ulster, graduated from the University of Ulster with a B. Mus. (Hons), having studied piano under Elizabeth Bicker and Stephanie Hughes and organ with Desmond Hunter. Upon completion of a PGCE, Gail began a teaching career and is currently on a career break from the post of Head of Music at the Rainey Endowed School, Magherafelt.

As well as teaching piano, Gail has worked extensively as an accompanist and repetiteur, for the University of Ulster Choir, Tosini, Bel Canto School of Singing, NI Opera, the Sperrin Choir and also at Lagan, Hollywood and Ballymena Music Festivals. In addition, Gail has considerable experience training choirs of all ages and abilities.

Having enjoyed a year as Associate Accompanist with Belfast Philharmonic Choir and Phil Kids, under the tutelage and watchful eyes of Stephen Doughty and Christopher Bell, she is delighted to have been appointed in 2011 as official accompanist with both choirs.

Co. Down born Aaron O'Hare has just completed his BMus(Hons) degree at the University of Ulster, Magee Campus, during which he studied as a Baritone under internationally respected Counter Tenor, Mark Chambers, with whom he continues to study. As a young singer, he has worked with leading companies in Northern Ireland, such as NI Opera, North West Opera, and Spark Opera and has appeared in roles such as:

‘Uylsses: A Musical Oydessy’ as Hermes and Telemachus (2009 – Laurence Roman), ‘No Place’, as the Newsreader (2009 – Spark Opera – Zatriqi),  ‘La Boheme’ as Alcindoro (2010 – North West Opera- Puccini), 'Tosca' covering Sciaronne (2011 - NI Opera - Puccini) and 'Carmen' as Dancaïre (2011 - North West Opera - Bizet)

As a keen choral enthusiast, Aaron is a member of the Ulster Youth Choir, Ulster Youth Chamber Choir, University of Ulster Choir, and the Belfast Philharmonic Choir. He has also acted as Assistant Section Coach for the Ulster Youth Training Choir since 2009. Aaron is currently Assistant Conductor to the University of Ulster Choir, under Dr. Shaun Ryan, and the Belfast Philharmonic Youth Choirs, under Val Whitlock.