Tutors
Holiday and workshop with some of the best working professionals from the UK Theatre and Music Industry.
At Sing Eat Retreat our tutors, coaches and directors are the real stars!
Check holiday pages to find out which members of our team will be joining your chosen retreat.
Benjamin Levy
Musical Director
Benjamin is a highly accomplished musical director with theatre credits recently including We Will Rock You (Royal Caribbean), The White Handkerchief (Broadway On Demand, BBC 4, BBC 1 NI), Godspell (Off-West End Revival, Winner of 2022 OFFIE Award for Best MD), West End Misfits (The Other Palace) and The Music of James Bond (Germany Tour). His choral direction includes BBC Children in Need, BBC York in Harmony and Military Wives Choir, York and, a highly sought after singing teacher, he serves extensively on the singing faculties amongst the UK’s finest drama schools.
Benjamin is an award-winning professional musical director, singing teacher, choral conductor and composer whose training includes an MA in Musical Direction (Mountview), PGCert in Vocal Pedagogy (Voice Study Centre, University of Wales Trinity St. David) and BA (Hons) degree in Music (The University of York) alongside extensive qualifications in Singing. He is a registered Vocal Health First Aider with Vocal Health UK and music examiner for ICMA Music Examinations.
A highly accomplished musical director, theatre highlights include serving as musical supervisor, orchestrator and conductor for The White Handkerchief (BBC 1 NI, BBC 4, Broadway On Demand), being named as Winner of 2022 Off-West End Award for Best Musical Director for Godspell (Ye Olde Rose and Crown), and serving as Musical Director for West End Misfits (The Other Palace), The Music of James Bond (Germany Tour) and, most recently, for We Will Rock You (Royal Caribbean International). From August 2024, Ben will serve as Musical Director and Orchestrator for The Boys From Syracuse (Off-West End, Upstairs At the Gatehouse).
As choirmaster, Ben has conducted a range of ensembles, serving as Musical Director for BBC Children in Need since 2019, conducting the annual Children in Need Charity Gala in Hintze Hall, The Natural History Museum and has enjoyed previous appointments directing Interlude Choir, London, BBC York in Harmony, Harmonize Contemporary Choir, Park Grove Children’s Choir, Vocal Point, Easingwold Singers and Military Wives Choir, York, whom he led through a very busy concert and recording schedule including appearances on BBC Radio 3, Scarborough Proms alongside Alfie Boe, album recordings and Remembrance Day services at York Minster.
Outside of conducting, Ben is a highly sought-after singing coach, with over 10 years’ experience serving on the faculty at some of the UK’s finest drama schools including Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, Laine Theatre Arts, Italia Conti, MPAA Academy and Emil Dale Academy and is a regular Musical Director and Vocal Coach for City Academy. Equally experienced at working with young singers, Ben is Resident Vocal Coach/MD for internationally acclaimed Spirit Young Performers’ Company and for South London Youth Theatre. Previously, Ben served as Head of Music for SLP College, Leeds and Head of Singing for SLP Junior Academy and Associates.
THEATRE CREDENTIALS
AS MUSICAL SUPERVISOR
The White Handkerchief (BBC 1 NI, BBC 4, BroadwayOnDemand)
AS MUSICAL DIRECTOR
The Boys From Syracuse (Off-West End / Upstairs At The Gatehouse)
We Will Rock You (Royal Caribbean International)
Godspell (Off-West End / Ye Olde Rose and Crown)
The Music of James Bond (Germany Tour / Reset Productions)
Ordinary Days (Off-West End / The Cockpit, London)
West End Misfits (The Other Palace, London)
Peter Pandemic (Off West-End / Canal Café Theatre)
Sleeping Beauty (Belgrade Theatre, Coventry / Imagine Theatre)
Cinderella (Grimsby Auditorium / Imagine Theatre)
Edges (NI Premiere) (The Playhouse, Derry)
A Little Night Music (City Academy, London)
Sweet Charity (Emil Dale Academy)
Evita (City Academy, London)
The Producers (City Academy, London)
Pippin (SLP College, Leeds)
Kiss Me Kate (SLP College, Leeds)
Lizzie and The Dark (Opera Schmopera)
AS ASSISTANT MUSICAL DIRECTOR/REHEARSAL PIANIST
The Sound of Music (Cyprus)
My Favorite Year (in training / Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts)
Death Takes A Holiday (in training / Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts)
Fiddler On The Roof (in training / Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts)
Crazy For You (in training / Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts)
Brass (in training / Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts)
The Piper Of Hamelin (National Youth Music Theatre)
CHORAL DIRECTION
Ben is a highly dynamic and accomplished choral director and singing teacher. Growing up in Northern Ireland, he began his choral journey by joining Ulster Youth Choir under Greg Beardsell, taking singing lessons with Robert Rice, with whom he performed on BBC Songs of Praise and as part of BBC Youth Proms Chorus for Britten’s War Requiem accompanied by City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) (conducted by Andris Nelsons) at The Royal Albert Hall.
Ben’s own conducting career began at aged 17 when he was invited to direct a gospel choir to back Elvis tribute band, Letterkenny Cats. In 2014, Ben was appointed as Musical Director for Military Wives Choir, York, for whom he directed a very busy concert series including Scarborough Proms (highlighted by Alfie Boe), BBC Radio 3, Remembrance Sunday services at York Minster and album recordings with Lulu, Aled Jones and many others.
He went on to accept positions conducting Harmonize Contemporary Choir and Park Grove Children’s Choir and served a season as Guest Conductor for Easingwold Singers. In 2017, he was invited to serve as Guest Musical Director for BBC York In Harmony. Now based in London, Ben serves as Musical Director for BBC Children In Need in Hintze Hall, Natural History Museum and an Associate Musical Director for Interlude Choir, London.
Ben Mann
Vocal Coach
Ben is fast becoming one of the most sought after and progressive singing coaches in the Musical Theatre and Pop Industry today.
He coaches a number of leading roles in current West End Shows including Sunset Boulevard, The Book of Mormon, Guys and Dolls and Cabaret.
Since 2020, he ventured into the Pop Music Industry, coaching an iconic Brit Award group for Sony Music. In 2023, he begun work with a Grammy Award nominated recording artist for Syco and RCA Records.
Ben, an Estill Master Trainer and Associate of The Royal Academy of Music, is regarded as one of the top up and coming singing teachers in the country. We are delighted to welcome him to Sing Eat Retreat.
Ben Mann, an esteemed Estill Master Trainer, is regarded as one of the top up and coming singing teachers in the country.
He has nurtured emerging talent at some of London’s most prestigious drama schools over a period of 15 years including, Mountview, GSA, Urdang, LAMDA, The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and The Royal Academy of Music.
He was a core member of the singing faculty on the BA Musical Theatre programme at ArtsEd, fronting the entry audition panel for close to 7 years.
Ben’s impact on the development of young singers is evident through his students’ consecutive wins at the prestigious Stephen Sondheim Student Performer of the Year Award.
He runs his private practice Ben Mann Voice from his home studio in Upminster Bridge, as well as selected days in London and online. Ben is increasingly in demand as a mentor and vocal caretaker for Musical Theatre Performers and Pop Industry Recording Artists.
He coaches a number of leading roles in current West End Shows, including The Book of Mormon, Guys and Dolls and Cabaret. Clientele can be seen in various ensemble, swing and understudy roles in each and every musical theatre production across London’s West End, a statistic which he is hugely proud of.
Since 2020, he ventured into the Pop Music Industry, coaching an iconic Brit Award winning pop group for Sony Music. In 2023, he begun work with a Grammy Award nominated recording artist for Syco and RCA Records.
Ben acts as a freelance vocal consultant to agent and management representation teams and is employed to coach their talent rostra when crucial auditions arise.
He has an expanding rostra of celebrity clientele and trains the singing voice for Television and Film actors as they prepare for future sung roles. Clients currently star as leading characters in Bridgerton, The Crown, EastEnders, Tick, Tick… Boom.
Ben’s expertise in the successful guidance of actors through the various stages of the audition process for West End Musicals, make him a sought-after coach. His accuracy in all aspects of the preparation for the casting process provides an extra dimension of precision that allows the client access to the final piece to the puzzle.
His commitment to pushing boundaries in vocal training is exemplified by his collaboration with the work of Matthew Syed Consulting culminating in an upcoming TED talk.
Claire Greenway
Performance Director
Claire trained at Royal Academy of Music.
Claire has just finished the international tour of Mamma Mia!, covering the role of Rosie which she played over 50 times. Before that, she toured the UK with Beautiful – the Carole King Musical playing Genie Klein, as well playing keys and sax.
She originated the role of the jolly Sister Mary Patrick in Sister Act (London Palladium), performing at the Royal Variety Performance and on many TV appearances including The View.
Other theatre credits include:
- Clue (Sidmouth Festival)
- Red Riding Hood (City Varieties, Leeds)
- Jack and the Beanstalk (Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch)
- Fiddler on the Roof (Frinton Summer Theatre)
- Rufus Longbottom and the Space Rabbit (tour)
- The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole (Menier Chocolate Factory)
- Talent and Diana of Dobson’s (The New Vic, Stoke)
- Babe-The Sheep Pig (Polka Theatre and national tour)
- Positive (Park Theatre)
- Therese Raquin (Finborough Theatre and Park Theatre)
- Cole (Frinton Summer Theatre and Yvonne Arnaud)
- James and the Giant Peach (Birmingham Stage, national tour)
- Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty (Stafford Gatehouse)
- Betwixt! and Spinach (Kings Head)
- Beauty and the Beast
- Cinderella
- Richard Bucket Overflows
- Hot Mikado
- Miss Sign-On
Television and film credits include:
- Sound of Music Live!
- Phoneshop
- Little Crackers
- Anna Karenina
Other credits include:
- Monkey – Journey to the West (O2)
- backing choir for Elton John
- several movie soundtracks including Transformers, Sweeney Todd & Pirates of the Caribbean
- workshops for many new musicals
Cast recordings include:
- Sister Act
- Therese Raquin
- Adrian Mole
Danny Vaughn
Performance Mentor
Danny Vaughn is a world-touring American musician renowned for his exceptional lead vocals, multi-instrumental talent and song-writing prowess.
An Ohio native, little DV began singing along to Beatles songs, performing for his parents while hidden behind the speakers in their lounge feeling sure they’d never tell the difference between his voice and Paul McCartney’s! In New York City, aged 11, he was placed in the school choir as ‘tutors didn’t know what else to do with an overly energetic kid, bouncing off the walls’. Things worked out though, because the capable young soloist drew public admiration for his burgeoning skill and he quickly realised he loved the attention. The music biz was calling Danny’s name and a career in rock ‘n roll beckoned.
Vaughn’s distinctive, powerful tenor voice was honed while singing in bands on the competitive club scene of the US East Coast. He first arrived on the international rock radar in the 1980’s with Waysted – a super-group featuring two former members of the mighty UFO. Their single, Heaven Tonight, cracked the Billboard top 200 and the band toured Europe, America, Canada and Eastern Europe opening for bands like Status Quo and Iron Maiden. One memorable moment was playing to 40,000 rabid rock fans in Budapest, Hungary.
In the late 80’s Danny’s American rock band Tyketto was formed in the NYC/New Jersey area. Landing a major album deal with Geffen Records, they began creating albums of sumptuous melodic rock, touring Europe and the States extensively.
Danny’s outstanding vocals touch hearts and suspend time, especially when combined with his gift for playing the acoustic 6-string and 12-string guitar. A multi-instrumentalist, he is also known to throw in some harmonica, mandolin and ukulele on the many band and solo albums he’s recorded.
Some 30+ years later, Tyketto are more active and in-demand than ever globally. Danny has brought his magnetic stage presence to shows in India, Israel, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, all over the States and to most major European cities. Tyketto are regularly invited to rage the stage at European festivals such as: Sweden Rock, Download, Maid of Stone, Steelhouse, Rock Of Ages, Bang Your Head, Call Of The Wild, Lionfest and Winterstorm, as well as being regularly invited to feature on the Monsters Of Rock Cruise in the Caribbean. Their anthemic hit, Forever Young remains a firm favourite in rock clubs around the world with over 7.5 million YouTube views and counting.
In 2024 a Planet Rock Radio poll placed him at # 34 in the ‘Top 50 Rock Vocalists of All Time’. To put that into perspective, Vaughn is next to Mick Jagger at # 33.
Danny is also a sought-after session vocalist having sung on albums by bands such as Yes and Riot.
He is permanently based in southern Spain when he is not rehearsing and performing overseas
Photography – Lina Bodis
Leigh Stanford Thompson
Musical Director
A highly accomplished Musical Director, Leigh works on productions both in the West End and on UK tours. He works extensively for Cameron Mackintosh auditioning cast for productions such as Les Misérables and Miss Saigon. He is the Director of the City Academy Voices and Associate Director of the City Academy Songbirds as arranger and composer. He is the composer for Ross Noble’s last five stand-up tours, as well as for Ross Noble’s Britain in Bits for BBC Radio 4.
PERFORMANCE AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Musicals, Cabaret and Pantomime
2023
Musical Director
Merrily We Roll Along, National Youth Music Theatre; Chris Cuming (producer)
Musical Director
Merrily We Roll Along, Anglia Ruskin University; Ryan Murphy (course leader)
Emergency Musical Director
Four pantomimes, Crossroads Pantomimes; Gary Hind/Olly Ashmore (musical supervisors)
Musical Director
Carrie Hope Fletcher and Joel Montague Live at the Union
Composer/Music Producer
Jibber Jabber Jamboree, Ross Noble tour
2022
Musical Director
Sweet Charity, Elliot Harper Productions; Jen Whyte (musical supervisor)
Associate Musical Director
Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol, Fiery Angel; Andrew Hilton (musical director)
Composer/Music Producer
On the Road, Ross Noble tour
2021
Musical Director/Producer
Opening Doors, Song Cycle Intensive; online
Musical Director
Goldilocks, Crossroads Pantomimes; Gary Hind (musical supervisor)
Composer/Music Producer
The Ross Noble Comeback Special, Ross Noble tour
2020
Musical Director
Tonight at the Coliseum: Carrie Hope Fletcher, Take Two Theatricals
Musical Director/Producer
And the World Goes ’Round, Song Cycle Intensive; online
Musical Director/Producer
A Dream is a Wish, Song Cycle Intensive; online
2019
Musical Director
Titanic the Musical, Danielle Tarento/Steven Levy; International Tour
Musical Supervisor/Arranger
Riviera Girl, workshop; Cressida Carré
Musical Director
Ghost the Musical, Bill Kenwright Productions; UK Tour; Richard Morris (musical supervisor)
Composer/Music Producer
Humournoid, Ross Noble tour
2018
Musical Director
Cinderella, QDos Entertainment; Churchill Theatre, Bromley; Gary Hind (musical supervisor)
Composer/Arranger
Ross Noble’s Britain in Bits; BBC Radio 4 Assoc.
MD/Keyboard Programmer
Young Frankenstein, Fiery Angel; The Garrick, Glen Kelly (Musical Supervisor)
Composer/Music Producer
El Hablador, Ross Noble UK & Australian tour
2017
Assoc. MD/Keyboard Programmer
Young Frankenstein, Fiery Angel; Glen Kelly (Musical Supervisor)
Musical Director/Arranger
Tiffany Graves in Up All Night, The Crazy Coqs
Director/Writer/Musical Director
I Happen To Like New York, Orange Tree Theatre
2016
MD/Orchestrator/Programmer
Spamalot, The English Theatre Frankfurt
Keyboard/Keyboard Programmer
Into the Woods, Opera North; West Yorkshire Playhouse, James Holmes (conductor/MD)
Director/Writer/Musical Director
I Love Paris, Orange Tree Theatre Musical
Supervisor/Conductor
Thoroughly Modern Millie, Eyebrow Productions; Adelphi Theatre
Musical Director
The Blue Angel (workshop), Sonia Friedman Productions; Maria Friedman (director)
Musical Director/Arranger
Tiffany Graves in Let’s Do It, The Crazy Coqs
2015
Musical Director/Arranger
Tiffany Graves in Let’s Do It, The Crazy Coqs
Assistant Musical Director
The Producers (UK Tour), Adam Spiegel Productions; Andrew Hilton (Musical Supervisor/MD)
Keyboard 1 (deputy)
Mack and Mabel, Chichester Festival Theatre & UK Tour; Robert Scott (MD)
2014
Musical Director
Peter Polycarpou in Laugh and Be Happy: The Songs of Randy Newman; The Crazy Coqs
2013
Musical Supervisor/Arranger
Jack and the Beanstalk, Hiss and Boo Productions; The Corn Exchange, Newbury
Musical Director
Jean Brassard in The Kid From Paris; Recklinghausen International Festival & The Crazy Coqs
Musical Director
Klea Blackhurst in An Evening with Klea Blackhurst; The Crazy Coqs
Musical Director
Karen Kohler in Das Kabarett; The Crazy Coqs
Musical Director/Arranger
Leanne Masterton in Something Good: The Music of Richard Rodgers; The Crazy Coqs
2012
Musical Director
Cinderella, QDos Entertainment; Grand Opera House, Belfast; Gary Hind (musical supervisor)
Musical Director
Karen Akers in Anything Goes: Akers Sings Porter; The Crazy Coqs
Producer/Artistic Director
West End Sundays, The Lucky Pig Cocktail Bar; a weekly cabaret showcasing West End performers
Musical Director (deputy)
Bugle Boy: The Glenn Miller Musical, David Wilder and Simon Napier-Bell; UK Tour, Greg Arrowsmith (MD)
Musical Director
The Westenders, various theatres in the UK & European tour; Jae Alexander (Musical Supervisor)
Musical Supervisor/Performer
Naked Boys Singing, Canonbury Productions; Charing Cross Theatre
2011
Musical Director
Cinderella, QDos Entertainment; Theatre Royal, Plymouth; Gary Hind (Musical Supervisor)
Musical Supervisor/Arranger
Robin Hood, Hiss and Boo Productions; The Corn Exchange, Newbury
Musical Supervisor/Arranger
Bernarda Alba, Triptic; The Union Theatre
Musical Director
Tell Me On A Sunday, UK Tour, Jamie Wilson Productions; Jae Alexander/Gary Hind (Musical Supervisors)
Musical Director
Edges, Notion Theatre Company; The Landor Theatre
Musical Supervisor/Conductor
The Boy Friend, Eyebrow Productions; Her Majesty’s Theatre
Musical Director/Arranger
Leanne Masterton in Something Good: The Music of Richard Rodgers; Jermyn Street
Musical Director
The Westenders, European Tour; Jae Alexander (Musical Supervisor)
2010
Musical Director
Tell Me On A Sunday, UK Tour, Jamie Wilson Productions; Jae Alexander (Musical Supervisor)
Musical Director/Arranger
Leanne Masterton in Hello, Jerry!, Samuel Joseph Presents; The Pheasantry
Musical Director
The Westenders, various theatres in the UK & European tour; Jae Alexander (Musical Supervisor)
Musical Director
Karen Akers in Anything Goes: Akers Sings Porter; Pizza on the Park
Musical Director
Al Pillay in Al Pillay: A Life In Song, Samuel Joseph Presents; The Pheasantry
Musical Director/Performer
Naked Boys Singing and Nunsense A-Men!; The Arts Theatre (West End)
- Leigh works regularly as an Audition and Rehearsal Pianist for Cameron Mackintosh Ltd and other companies, working on shows including Les Misérables, Miss Saigon, The Phantom of the Opera, Love Never Dies, Oliver!, The Lion King, Mean Girls, Barnum, The Addams Family, An American in Paris.
- From 2013-2016 he was also the house pianist at The Crazy Coqs at Brasserie Zédel.
Meg Johnson
Singing Teacher
Meg has trained in Musical theatre and performance at Margaret Howard Theatres Schools, now known as Momentum Performing Arts Academy, and has also studied with Sing Eat Retreat’s alternate Music Director Ben Levy. Meg is a skilled Estill Voice Trainer and has experience working with all ages. As well as teaching now at Margaret Howard Theatre Schools, (MHTS), Meg is also a skilled dance teacher, and is currently working as a dancer for the BBC. We are sure she will combine both vocals and movement in her classes!
We express our thanks to MHTS for Meg’s placement at Sing Eat Retreat.
Performing Credits:
2020
Liz / ensemble – Chicago
2019
Singer / soloist – Cabaret, Once Upon a Fairytale
Val – A Chorus Line
Dancer / singer soloist – Dance, Life Goes On
Hermia – A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Ensemble – Cabaret
2018
Singer / soloist – Cabaret, Let’s Face The Music
Dancer / singer / soloist – Dance, Time
Pippa Duffy
Vocal Coach
Pippa is a West End actress, director and singing coach. Her most notable acting credits include: Only Fools And Horses The Musical, Theatre Royal Haymarket; Spoonface Steinberg (one woman play) Hull Truck; Zoe Mid Morning Matters – Alan Partridge, Sky Atlantic; Anna, Pete Vs life, Channel 4; Tracey Beaker Gets Real The Musical, UK No 1 Tour. Pippa is an electrifying force in the world of musical theatre and in 2021 she was awarded an ARAM (Associate of the Royal Academy of Music) for her work as both performer and teacher. Pippa’s zeal for music extends to her role as a singing coach, where she masterfully guides established artists, rising stars, and passionate amateurs alike.
Pippa is a technical singing coach, director, actress and writer with a degree in Drama from Bristol University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Musical Theatre from the Royal Academy of Music. In 2021 she was awarded an ARAM (Associate of the Royal Academy of Music) for her work in musical theatre as a performer and teacher.
Pippa has an extensive performing CV, most recently as Cassandra in the West End Production of Only Fools and Horses The Musical, but with credits spanning theatre and television since 2004.
With nearly 20 years’ experience as a performer, and 15 as a teacher and director Pippa has a broad spectrum of expertise to share with her students.
Her most notable acting credits include:
- Cassandra – Only Fools And Horses The Musical, Theatre Royal Haymarket
- Spoonface Steinberg (one woman play) Hull Truck
- Zoe – Mid Morning Matters – Alan Partridge Sky Atlantic
- Anna – Pete Vs life, Channel 4
- Tracey Beaker Gets Real The Musical, UK No 1 Tour
As a singing teacher Pippa works with many established musical theatre professionals, as well as trainee performers still developing their voices, and dedicated amateurs singing purely for pleasure. She plays the piano to a high level for her students.
Pippa has been directing full scale musicals for 12 years now and it is a passion of hers to help develop training actors throughout the rehearsal process, giving them a show the whole team can be proud of, as well as a new set of performance skills at the end.
Patrick D’Arcy
Musical Director & Vocal Coach
Patrick trained at the Royal Academy of Music and is now one of the most in-demand vocal coaches in London. A performer and musician himself, Patrick’s credits include A Christmas Carol (Grand Opera House)and Carousel (Royal Academy of Music).
As a vocal coach Patrick has worked in some of London’s most prestigious institutions such as Italia Conti, Laine Theatre Arts, MPAA and Bird Conservatoire for Music and Dance, teaching technical singing as well as providing Musical Direction for projects within these universities.
He holds a MA in Musical Theatre with distinction, LRAM in Vocal Coaching and a LLCM in Music Theatre performance, having extensive experience in all facets of Musical Theatre. Alongside this he has extensive knowledge of vocal methodologies including Estill and Bel Canto.
Rhys Whitfield
Guest Mentor
Rhys trained at Guildford School of Acting, graduating with a first class honours degree.
Rhys recreated the role of Raoul in the West End re-opening of Phantom of the Opera and has also played Peter in Jesus Christ Superstar, making him the perfect mentor on our Lloyd Webber music weeks. He is currently about to open in Elton John’s new musical The Devil Wears Prada at the Dominion Theatre.
Theatre:
Raoul in Phantom Of The Opera (Her Majesty’s Theatre)
Freddy Eynsford-Hill in My Fair Lady (Teatro Massimo, Palermo/Sicily)
Summer and Smoke (Duke of York’s Theatre)
Cover Zack Mayo & Young Recruit in An Officer and a Gentleman (UK Tour)
Elvis in Million Dollar Quartet (UK & India Tour)
Cover Peter in Jesus Christ Superstar (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre 2016 and 2017)
James in The Commitments (UK Tour)
Close to You (Criterion Theatre)
Television:
Hero in the recent Lynx Commercial
Workshops:
Maxie in Becoming Nancy
Sam Hiller
Director
As well as a formidable acting career Sam has directed some of the most well-known West End productions. As Resident Director of Les Misérables and The Phantom of the Opera Sam has an intricate knowledge of Musical Theatre as well as a roll call of names he has worked with, none more so than Cameron Mackintosh.
Sam trained at Guildford School of Acting. He has worked extensively as an actor, including:
- A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Chichester Festival Theatre)
- Another Country (Yvonne Arnaud, Guildford)
- Unexpected Host (York Theatre Royal)
- The Jungle Book (Nuffield, Southampton)
- Hiawatha (Newcastle Theatre Royal)
- An Ideal Husband (Redgrave, Farnham)
- The Ten Commandments (Mercury workshop, The Place)
West End:
- Les Misérables (Palace)
- Aspects of Love (Prince of Wales)
- Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (London Palladium)
- Miss Saigon (Theatre Royal, Drury Lane)
- My Fair Lady (Theatre Royal, Drury Lane)
- The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty’s)
UK tours:
- Les Misérables
- Aspects of Love
- Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
- The Best of Brian Conley
Concerts include:
- Les Misérables (25th anniversary, the O2)
- Les Misérables (Classic Brits, Royal Albert Hall)
- One Touch of Venus (Barbican)
- Masters of Swing (Royal Albert Hall)
- Tribute to Jack Tinker (London Palladium)
Directing includes (as Resident Director):
- Les Misérables: The Staged Concert (Gielgud)
- The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty’s)
- Les Misérables (Queen’s/Palace)
- Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (UK tour)
- White Christmas (Sunderland Empire)
- Les Misérables in concert (Scandinavian arena tour)
- On Eagle’s Wing (Belfast Opera House)
As Deputy Associate:
- Les Misérables (UK tour)
As Associate Director:
- Irish Wings (Dutch tour)
As Director:
- Les Misérables in concert (Powderham Castle and Broadlands)
- Celebration of Musical Theatre with Clive Anderson (Palace)
- The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber (RTE, Dublin Concert Hall)
- The Canadian Tenors (European tour)
- Masters of the Musicals (UK tour)
Steve Moss
Musical Director
As Musical Director, Steve has worked on:
- The original production of Les Misérables at the Queen’s Theatre London (2018-2019)
- Mary Poppins UK tour (2016-2017)
- Mary Poppins (Zurich & Dubai)
- Les Misérables “Hear the people sing” for Jo Cox.
Steve was born in Cardiff and went to Llandaff Cathedral School as a chorister in 1985, where he went on to be head chorister in 1990.
Steve then gained a DFE Scholarship and Specialist’s place at Wells Cathedral School.
Between 1994-1997, Steve enjoyed being a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain.
In 1996, Steve gained a Scholarship to Study at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama with Dame Thea King and Julian Farrell. Steve graduated in 2000, and was awarded the Guildhall – Wind, Brass & Percussion Orchestral Prize. In the same year Steve won 2nd Prize in the CASS Young Clarinettist of the Year.
In September 2000, Steve was appointed second & Eb Clarinet in the Cyprus Chamber Orchestra. Returning to the UK in 2001, Steve played with many orchestras in and around London as a freelance musician, and in 2004, he was appointed principal clarinet in the English Symphony Orchestra, leaving in 2012.
Steve’s commercial work includes: Mcfly, Lemar, Leona Lewis, Paul Potts, Lucie Silvas, Alison Moyet & Estelle.
TV Work includes: ITV Britain’s got talent, ITV Record of the year, (Channel 4) Alternative Christmas Message, The Monkey-Eating Eagle of the Orinoco (BBC2)…..
Musical Theatre
Steve recently finished as Musical Director of Les Misérables (Dec 2023), at the Sondheim Theatre, London, having previously been Musical Director of the show between from 2019-2021, and was Associate Musical Director at the Gielgud Theatre, for Les Misérables – The Staged Concert.
Before returning to the Sondheim Theatre, Steve was the Musical Director of Mary Poppins at the Prince Edward Theatre, 2021-2023.
Steve was also Associate Musical Supervisor of Mary Poppins in Japan (2018).
Tasha Sheridan
Guest Mentor
As well as starring as Sophie in the West End production of Mamma Mia!, Tasha has also appeared in Evita, Carousel, School of Rock and Saving Grace on stage. She also had roles in the film Mrs Henderson Presents and the popular TV series Call The Midwife.
According to her Instagram profile, she is an “Actress, singer, nut job. Lover of musical theatre, trashy reality TV and a sun salutation!”
Hailing from South Oxfordshire, Tasha graduated from the Arts Educational School of Musical Theatre Class of 2004. Upon leaving college she joined the West End Cast of Mamma Mia and went on the play the lead of Sophie in her second year. While on tour in Evita, Tasha unexpectedly had to have emergency vocal surgery. After dealing with this, Tasha then returned to the West End in School Of Rock, but this time as a mother of two.
Zev Caplan
Vocal Coach
Zev specialises in Rock and Pop and is known in the recording studios as the Vocal Wizard. Zev will answer your questions of ‘Why can’t I?’ and show you the answer to ‘How can I?” Everything can be achieved. Utilising Estill Voice Training principles, Zev has created his own associated techniques and theories and will apply these to coach your voice to its best ever ability.
Nick Evans
Performance Director
Nick Evans is an international Theatre Director who’s West End roles include Associate Director on the West End Versions of Billy Elliot The Musical, Rock of Ages and Bat Out of Hell The Musical, as well as the 2012 Arena Tour of Jesus Christ Superstar where he worked with Ben Forster, Tim Minchin and Melanie C. He has also overseen international tours of Mamma Mia and Mary Poppins, and joins us direct from Mexico City where he has just directed a brand new version of Jesus Christ Superstar, which won several awards including Best Musical.
Nick also has a special link to ‘Les Miserables’ going back over 8 years. When working for Sir Cameron Mackintosh on the UK and International Tour of ‘Mary Poppins’, Nick originated and directed a brand new version of the musical to pay tribute to the murdered MP Jo Cox, who listed the show as her favourite musical. With the support of Sir Cameron, Nick directed a full version of the musical in traverse, building a new theatre in a disused industrial building in Jo’s constituency in Yorkshire, and taking a team of West End creatives and musicians from the show to create a new telling of the story.
Alongside his professional directing work, Nick also teaches ‘Acting Through Song’ at the prestigious Trinity Laban Conservatoire, and is currently writing a book on the subject.
Vocal Coach
Zev Caplan
Zev specialises in Rock and Pop and is known in the recording studios as the Vocal Wizard. Zev will answer your questions of ‘Why can’t I?’ and show you the answer to ‘How can I?” Everything can be achieved. Utilising Estill Voice Training principles, Zev has created his own associated techniques and theories and will apply these to coach your voice to its best ever ability.
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