Becky Hill - Committee Chair

I was born in Uxbridge, Middlesex, and attended the Guildhall School of Music and Drama graduate course where I studied Viola, Singing and Piano. Whilst in London I met and married my husband, Andy, and we moved to Portsmouth in 1990. Since then, I have been working as a music teacher in the local area, gaining my qualified teacher status (QTS). I am currently the Director of Music at the Portsmouth High Junior School. I also teach violin and viola at four secondary schools in the Portsmouth area. For the last eight years I have been a choir director for the Festival. To stand in front of 230 pupils and hear them sing is an amazing experience!

I am very lucky to be the chair of such a wonderful, unique event that celebrates all the arts in Portsmouth's schools. It is a privilege to work with such a dedicated committee who make the Portsmouth Schools' Music Festival such a great annual event. I look forward to seeing you all there!

Jayne Russell - Committee Secretary

(AWAITING BIO)

Andy Hill - Committee Vice Chair

I was born and brought up in Kettering, Northants. I joined the Royal Marines Band Service at the age of eighteen as a trombonist. I served in many parts of the country and travelled the world playing music, visiting unusual places such as Iceland, China and Russia. I was part of the Royal Marines Band Service for twenty four years in which time I had the honour of serving on the Royal Yacht Britannia. I also played at Twickenham, Wembley and the Oval!

Since leaving the Royal Marines Band Service, I have become chair of Denmead Brass Band, play in local bands and orchestras and enjoy arranging and composing music. It is an honour to be part of the Portsmouth Schools' Music Festival and to manage transport to get the schools to the Guildhall on time!

Alison Stakim - Infant Representative

Alison Stakim BMus (hons) QTS
I am originally from Worthing and I started learning the Cello at the age of 8. I continued playing throughout my school years, taking part in a wide variety of ensembles before going on to study Music at Kingston University in 2004. 

I initially began a career in event management before a change of heart led me to train as a primary school teacher in Portsmouth.
I am now very lucky to be teaching year 2 at Stamshaw infant school. I have continued playing; I am in a String a quartet with Becky Hill and I have performed with the Havant Symphony Orchestra among other local groups.

I was thrilled to be elected onto the Festival committee for 2011 as I have seen the benefits an inspiring music education has on young children and I cannot wait to be involved with bringing the City of Portsmouth together for this fantastic event!

I studied at King Alfred’s College in Winchester and graduated in 2002 with a BA Hons (QTS) specialising in Music. I play the flute and piano and enjoy singing. I currently teach a Year 2 class at Highbury Primary School in Cosham and run the Infant Choir.

I have been involved with the Portsmouth School’s Music Festival for three years. My role as Marketing Director within the committee has brought me into contact with many local businesses and media groups.

I thoroughly enjoy leading the Highbury school choir and taking them to the Guildhall. I look forward to taking part in the Festival each year.

As a child I had piano and guitar lessons, I was in junior and senior school choirs, participated in many school productions and was part of a multi-school choir that performed Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat Musical at Oaklands RC School in Waterlooville. I graduated from Portsmouth University with a Foundation Degree and I am an HLTA at Langstone Junior School teaching across the curriculum where I am also leader of the school choir.

The school takes part in the Portsmouth Schools Music Festival and the children are truly inspired by this great, annual event. I am very fortunate to be involved with the Festival both as a committee member and a choir leader.

I was born in Leicester and learned piano when I was very young. I studied music to GCE and Grade 6 and was in a number of choirs and musical productions during my school years. On leaving school, I trained as a teacher in Bedford and became a primary school teacher. I then continued on to work with adults with learning difficulties within Social Services. I now teach at Flying Bull Primary School where I am also the Music Co-ordinator working with our choirs for the Festival.

The Portsmouth Schools' Music Festival is a wonderful opportunity for our children to enjoy performing at the Guildhall and alongside other schools' choirs and performers. It is a delight to be involved.

Richard Boland - Youth Orchestra Director

After a career spanning over 28 years in the Royal Marines, I now play and teach violin throughout the Portsmouth and Isle of Wight area. In 2005, I was appointed director of the 'Young Strings' with the Portsmouth Music Services and in the following year I was made Director of the Youth Orchestra. I shall soon be embarking on a three year teaching training course of the Alexander Technique in Hove.

I thoroughly enjoy the challenges of local youth music making and the Portsmouth Schools' Music Festival is a great opportunity for so many to enjoy making music.

Perry Ralls - Repetoire Advisor

I was a pupil at Mayfield Secondary School before joining South Downs College to study BTEC Musical Theatre where I am now currently employed as a theatre technician.

I have been involved with the Festival for a number of years as a performer. I am a singer and a Musical Theatre performer and looking forward to pursuing a career in the profession when I join ‘The Arden’ drama school in Manchester.

Tom Ellins - Web Design

This is my third year as a student representative for the Portsmouth Schools' Music Festival although I have been involved in the Festival for the past seven years playing the Baritone and Drums. I have also played the fife at The Battle of the Flowers in Jersey and sung in a choir tour of Malta. I am looking forward to representing the views of Portsmouth school’s pupils as a member of the Festival’s committee.

Ashley Helm - Student Representative

I am a student at Portsmouth College studying Performing Arts and in December 2010 I played a lead role in the production of Cabaret. This is my third year as a serving member of the committee but have been involved with the festival for longer than I can remember. As a student representative I can offer a look on the festival that adults on the committee may not be able to see. I am also working towards my grade 3 singing exam.

I look forward to watching and enjoying each night that pupils and students from all across Portsmouth show off some of their amazing talent.

I am in my final year at The City of Portsmouth Girls’ School where I have been privileged enough to be Music Captain for the past academic year. It has given me a number of amazing opportunities including helping our choir prepare for the Portsmouth Schools’ Glee Competition and directing our production of Oliver! I have played in the school orchestra, sung in choir and also played in ensembles such as the Portsmouth Youth Orchestra and Highbury Area Band. I have studied violin for the past 8 years, saxophone for the past 4 and took up piano in the last year or so. I have accepted an offer from Southdowns College to study Music, Advanced Musical Studies, History and English Literature next year. 

This is my first year on the committee as a Student Representative, although I have been involved with the festival for many years, and I look forward to seeing all the hard work that goes into the festival and helping the committee to produce another amazing successful festival.