Stuart Thompson has been the Executive Music Lead for the Warwick Schools Foundation for just under three years, working with the schools within the Foundation, our partners "The Orchestra of the Swan" and the wider community including leading our project "Warwick A Singing Town" to develop the best possible musical opportunities and experiences for students across Warwick and beyond.

Music has been a major part of his life from an early age, beginning as a chorister at Winchester Cathedral and leading to his further education at the Royal Academy of Music becoming the first Postgraduate in Church Music, studying composition with Francis Grier, organ with Christopher Bowers-Broadbent and choral conducting with Patrick Russill and David Hill as well as being composer in residence at Westminster Cathedral.

His compositions have won several national awards and have been performed and recorded by The BBC Singers and The Bach Choir as well as being broadcast regularly on national and international radio and television.

Stuart became the Director of Music for the Cathedral and Diocese of Leeds where he established the first Girls choir in a Catholic Cathedral in England. This has now developed into one of the largest choral programmes for young people in the country. During this time, he worked at the University of Huddersfield, directed numerous choral societies and regularly appeared as a jazz singer with "Something Else"!

He then moved into working in schools full time, beginning as Assistant Director of Music and Head of Musical Theatre at Caterham School whilst completing his MBA in School Leadership at the Institute of Education. He became a Governor at Warlingham School during this period, and he remains a Governor in a large secondary school in Loughborough to this day.

School leadership positions then followed, including Deputy Headships at Queen Margaret's School, York and Loughborough High School, the latter including a spell as Acting Head.

Stuart is really looking forward to welcoming you all as the first ever students on our new Orchestral Summer Courses and can't wait to see and hear what we are able to produce musically by the end of each course.

David Tibbitts is Head of Brass & Music Outreach at Warwick School, leading over 130 young brass musicians and directing a vibrant programme of ensembles, concerts and outreach initiatives.

A trumpet player since the age of 10, David was awarded a scholarship to the Junior Royal Birmingham Conservatoire before continuing his studies there. During his time at RBC, he performed with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra and was coached by world-class artists including Dave Holland, Maria Schneider and Elliot Mason. He has also toured nationally with the UK’s leading folk ensemble, appearing at major festivals such as Cropredy, Shambala and Towersey.

As a performer, David has appeared across the UK and Europe at some of the world’s most iconic events, including Glastonbury Festival, the Monaco Grand Prix and toured with the England Cricket Team. He has also performed live on radio and was featured as a soloist on BBC 2 in the presence of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

Now an in-demand conductor and educator, David is passionate about inspiring the next generation, regularly leading youth ensembles and large-scale concerts, including performances at Symphony Hall. His work is driven by a commitment to making high-level music-making exciting, accessible and unforgettable for young musicians.

If your son or daughter is interested in being part of something special, the new Warwick Schools Foundation Orchestral Summer Courses promise an exciting, engaging experience, bringing together like-minded musicians to develop confidence, creativity and top-tier musicianship. David has the absolute pleasure of conducting and serving as Musical Director for the courses, working alongside a team of outstanding tutors who are among the very best musicians in the industry.

Emily graduated with distinction from her Master’s in Performance at Guildhall School of Music and Drama under the guidance of Imogen Barford. She holds a first-class BMus and a Postgraduate Certificate from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, where she studied with Rita Schindler. Emily has performed at prestigious venues across the UK, including Birmingham Symphony Hall, the Purcell Room at Southbank Centre, and the Barbican, London. She has had the honour of performing for notable figures such as the Duchess of Cambridge and the Earl of Wessex. In 2017, Emily made her concerto debut with the Handel Harp Concerto at Canterbury Cathedral. An accomplished orchestral harpist, Emily has performed with orchestras including Opera North, Orchestra of the Swan and the English Symphony Orchestra.

In addition to her performing career, Emily is passionate about teaching and has worked on outreach projects with organizations such as Hay Festival, Cheltenham Festivals and Music in Hospitals and Care. Alongside this, she teaches harp at the Kings High School and Warwick Preparatory School. Emily is delighted to be bringing her enthusiasm and knowledge to the summer course and to work with budding young harpists! 

Mark first picked up a pair of drumsticks at the age of eleven, beginning Drum Kit lessons at his former primary school. Since then his musical career has spanned orchestral percussion, jazz, musical theatre, and rock and roll, providing a wealth of varied and rewarding performance experiences.

Career highlights include a live broadcast on BBC Radio 3 with the youth orchestra he attended, performing in seventy-four pantomimes alongside the legendary Christopher Biggins, and playing Bohemian Rhapsody to a packed audience at the Royal Albert Hall.

Although for Mark, the triangle remains one of the most deceptively challenging percussion instruments, nothing quite compares to the thrill of unleashing the full power of a tam-tam. Mark is delighted to be bringing his experience, enthusiasm, and passion for percussion to this exciting new summer course and looks forward to inspiring the next generation of young percussionists.

Liz has taught the flute and led ensembles at Warwick Prep and King’s High School since 2020. She studied at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, where she won the Conservatoire Woodwind Prize, received funding from the Royal Philharmonic Society Sir John Barbirolli Memorial Foundation, and was a National Finalist in the Lyons European Young Musician Competition and winner of the Meg Rivers Prize at the Stratford International Flute Festival.

Liz now has a busy life as a freelance flautist and educator, regularly performing with her trio, Paradise Flutes, as well as a number of orchestras and chamber ensembles across the Midlands and further afield. Alongside her work at Warwick, Liz also currently teaches at Junior Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and Stratford Grammar School for Girls. She directs Malvern Flute Choir, and runs events for young musicians through her organisation, Tonic Arts, and previously for the British Flute Society in her role as a trustee and Vice Chair.

It is really important to Liz that young musicians have the opportunity to make music with other young people because of all the fantastic benefits it can have for their playing, for their confidence, and also because it is a great chance to make new friends. Liz is really looking forward to meeting all the young musicians joining us on the WSF Orchestra Course, supporting them to develop their musical skills, and most importantly having lots of fun!

Mr Daniel Buxton has been playing the saxophone since the age of 6 and has gone on to have a varied and diverse musical career.

Whilst at Warwick School Dan was involved in various organisations such as NYMT, BYMT and MYJO which aided in him going to study saxophone performance, clarinet and flute doubling with second study jazz at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama under some of the foremost players and educators in the country.

As a performer Dan has been involved in a multitude of shows and performances such as the 'Chicago UK Tour', 'The Mikado - Opera Della Luna' and 'Whiplash In Concert' at London's Barbican Centre conducted by original composer and Academy Award Winner Justin Hurwitz.

Alongside his live performing Dan has recorded with pianist and producer 'Olda' releasing his first single 'Thursday Rain' (2020) and his most popular single 'Indah' (2023) which was released with record label Fortune Cookie Records. Most recently Dan has recorded with Canadian singer Ana Golja on her new album releasing later this year and released his saxophone quartets first commission - 'Milton Road'.

Dan is really looking forward to meeting all of the musicians and woodwind players who are coming to the new summer course and can't wait for it to get going!

Simònne Worthington is a violinist and educator based in Warwickshire. Originally from South Africa, she brings an appreciation of cultural diversity to her work as both a performer and teacher. Passionate about the connection between music and language, she believes music is a powerful way to communicate, build confidence, and bring people together.

A graduate of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Simònne works as a freelance musician and teacher. She enjoys exploring a wide range of musical styles and is committed to helping young musicians develop both their technical skills and musical imagination.

Her teaching experience includes individual lessons, small-group tuition, whole-class teaching, workshops, and chamber ensemble coaching. During her studies, she was involved in the ARCO project, supporting young musicians in Soweto, South Africa. As a performer, Simònne has appeared at leading venues across Europe, including the Elbphilharmonie, Royal Concertgebouw, and Verbier Festival, and has held leadership positions in several orchestras.

Simònne is delighted to be joining the course as String Teacher Lead and looks forward to making music with the young musicians involved. She is excited to help create a supportive, inspiring environment where every player can thrive.

Chris began her cello studies with Martin Bochmann and Michal Kaznowski, before attending the Birmingham Conservatoire where she studied for four years under Ulrich Heinen. After leaving the Conservatoire, Chris began to work with the piano trio ‘Tea for Three’, and embarked on many concert performance, corporate events and social functions.

Chris took on her first teaching appointment at Lichfield Cathedral School, followed by positions at the Kingsley school, and for the Birmingham and Warwickshire Music Services. As a teacher, Chris is passionate about passing on her knowledge and love of playing to pupils of all ages and abilities and is currently the cello teacher at Kings High and Warwick Prep, King Edward VI School, Stratford, and The Croft Prep School.

Chris takes a great pride and joy in watching her pupils build in technical confidence and excellence, whilst also expanding their musical knowledge and creativity; the WSF Orchestra Course is the perfect environment for everyone attending to help achieve these goals.

Since graduating from Birmingham Conservatoire Antonia has enjoyed a varied freelance career as a viola player, playing for numerous chamber ensembles in the West Midlands and beyond.  Particular highlights include performing with Il Divo, Alfie Boe, Collabro, Madness, Gloria Estefan, Johnny Mathis  Dionne Warwick, The Cult, Katherine Jenkins, Hayley Westenra, Heart of England Philarmonic, ESO, Southern Sinfonia, The London Concert Orchestra, The Who plus UB40 and a Caribbean Cruise which provided wonderful opportunities to combine music with travel. Most recently had the joy to meet and play for the wonderful Tony Christie which was a fantastic experience.

Antonia has always had a strong interest in teaching and was delighted to complete her PGCE and Suzuki Training some years back.  Lots of teaching in a wonderful variety of settings followed before settling on leafy Warwickshire. She has led numerous students through their ABRSM qualifications and thoroughly enjoyed watching them grow as musicians. She is really looking forward to meeting all the students on the new Orchestral Summer Course this summer and making lots of lovely music.