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 teaching violin and viola at four secondary schools in Portsmouth. For the last six 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!

Zoe Williams - Committee Secretary

I have a BA(Hons) in Music with QTS Qualified Teacher Status attained at Chichester University in 2000. I also have Grade 8 in flute and 6 in voice. At present I share a teaching post in a Year 4 class at Solent Junior School.

I have very fond memories of singing The Beatles on the Guildhall stage at the Portsmouth Schools Music Festival. I then became more involved as a teacher and Music Co-ordinator at St. Swithun’s Catholic Primary School. The Festival is a terrific event for the children, parents, teachers and schools. I have had so many comments from parents about what a wonderful and enjoyable night they have had. I enjoy working with everyone in the committee and look forward to another fantastic Festival.

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!

Barry Steel - Compere

I was asked by Becky Hill to compere Festival 2008 and found myself building websites, producing programmes, designing posters and helping out with everything! Having started out at Portsmouth Art College, my career turned to manufacturing, computer systems and business project management. It's terrific being involved with such hard working, talented and committed people who love to help children develop their own talents and enjoy themselves in the process! It's an honour to be asked to help.

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 preformers. 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 - Student Representative

This is my second year as a student representative for the Portsmouth Schools' Music Festival although I have been involved in the Festival for the past six years playing the Baritone and Drums. I have also played the fife at The Battle of the Flowers in Jersey and sung in a school 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 pupil at St. Edmund's Catholic school. I have sung in a production for the Portsmouth Players, in Jungle Book at the City of Portsmouth Boys' School and also in a production for the Portchester Players. This is my second year as a student representative for Portsmouth School's Music Festival although I have been involved with the Festival for a number of years. I am looking forward to helping the committee and taking part in this year's Festival.