Charlotte has worked for Congleton Youth Orchestra since 2018, going through the ranks until becoming Musical Director in 2022. She graduated from Bangor University with an MA in 20th and 21st Century Music and BA in Music and German. Her conducting experiences come from university ensembles, deputising for local brass bands and orchestras, as well as her previous role as Wind Tutor for Congleton Youth Orchestra. As a horn player she plays in a number of local ensembles including Alderley Edge Symphony Orchestra and Rode Hall Silver Band. She plays and teaches a variety of brass instruments alongside her work in Strategic Planning for East Cheshire NHS Trust. Charlotte finds working with beginner pupils particularly rewarding. Charlotte was also a member of CYO herself before leaving for university, and is looking forward to giving back the musical experiences she gained in those years.

Jayne started playing strings at age 4 and is a graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music. After joining CYO at the age of 12, she came back to work for us in 2011 after graduating. In 2012 she took on a strings teaching post in Kuching, Malaysia and returned in 2013 for the birth of her son, returning to CYO shortly after. In 2015 she opened Walker’s Strings ltd, a music shop with instrumental tuition in Congleton situated on Rood Hill. She is a freelance musician, playing in local orchestras and is the founding violist of the Balfour String Quartet. At CYO, Jayne teaches Violin, Viola, Cello and Double Bass.

Juan Antonio currently holds a bassoon fellowship with the Nevis Ensemble in Scotland. He has recently collaborated with UK ensembles such as the Hallé Orchestra, RSNO, Northern Film Orchestra and during last season, he appeared in solo recitals in London, Rochdale, Solihull, Skipton and Settle. Other orchestral credentials include the Internationales Academy Orchestra Schloss Hundisburg, the Orchestra of the Americas and the Colombian Youth Philharmonic.Juan Antonio studied bassoon at the Royal Northern College of Music with Stefano Canuti and Andrea Zucco in Italy.

Helen Corcoran joined our team of Volunteer Tutors at the start of the September 2016 term. She has a daughter in the Orchestra and she is a very experienced player herself, playing the violin regularly with the North Staffs. Symphony Orchestra.

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Barbara joined CYO as a volunteer woodwind tutor for the Intermediates in 2022. She plays the flute, piano and double bass. Two of her children have been members of the orchestra.

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