Vocal Studies Department Staff
Winstanley Scholar. He continued his musical education at Trinity College Dublin during which time he became the youngest ever Alto Lay Vicar Choral in the 800 year history of St. Patrick’s. In 1990 Stephen moved to join Worcester Cathedral Choir where he is now Senior Alto Lay Clerk. Stephen’s solo career has included working the Worcester Festival Choral Society as well as many other choral societies. He has sung and recorded with specialist early music ensemble ‘Musica Contexta’, singing solo on their debut recording of Sheppard’s Cantate Mass for the Herald label (HAVPCD195) and on the group’s three-disc Palestrina project for Chandos. Stephen also sang solo in the group’s Wigmore Hall debut in 2001, which was broadcast on Radio 3.
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Other solo engagements have included Britten’s Abraham and Isaac, and Handel’s Messiah with Sir David Willcocks, both at the 2002 Three Choir’s Festival and Bach’s St Matthew Passion with Armonico Consort of which he was a founder member. In October 2003 Stephen sang solo in the choir’s debut at the Wigmore Hall with Emma Kirkby, in recently discovered works of Alessandro Scarlatti. He has also featured on the group’s recordings of works by Scarlatti and the Victoria Requiem on the Deux-Elles label.
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In 1998 Stephen founded the Worcester Cathedral Chamber Choir to further his lifelong passion for conducting. He made his orchestral conducting debut in Worcester Cathedral in March 2000 with the combined Chamber and Cathedral Choirs and the London based Westminster Chamber Orchestra in Bach’s St John Passion. Stephen has also directed the choir in six recordings: ‘ Sing Choirs of Angels’ (2002), ‘Jerusalem’ (2004), ‘A Worcester Evensong’ (2006), ‘Hodie’ (2009), ‘Rise Heart’ (2011), and ‘The Guest’ (2013). Stephen formed the Worcester Chamber Orchestra to perform with the Chamber Choir and to develop his conducting career. Stephen has a thriving teaching practice.
Alongside teaching at the Elgar School of Music, Stephen teaches at the Worcester Sixth Form College. Stephen holds Performer’s Diplomas in Piano (LRSM) and Singing (ARCM).
Stephen Shellard
Subjects Taught
Vocal Studies
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Qualifications
BMus, LRSM, ARCM
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Stephen Shellard comes from Dublin. He began his musical career as a chorister in the choir of St Bartholomew’s Church Ballsbridge, later moving to St. Patrick’s Cathedral where he became Head Chorister a
Rebecca Atherton
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Subjects taught
Vocal Studies (Musical Theatre, Jazz & Popular) / ESM Community Choir
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Rebecca Atherton is a professional classical musician, singing teacher and conductor of the renowned Bristol Cabot choir.
Rebecca has conducted choirs since she was 19, in London, Cardiff and Bristol. She has conducted the Bristol Cabot Choir for over 10 years, and kept the choir entertained with regular rehearsals on zoom during the pandemic.
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Rebecca spends most of her time as a professional vocal coach, working mainly with choral singers. She specialises in helping both professional and amateur singers who suffer with vocal anxiety, using a combination of Neuro Linguistic Programming and classical singing technique to get results. Rebecca also teaches vocal studies at The Downs School, Malvern.
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Rebecca previously taught Key stage 3 and 4 music at St Bernadette’s Catholic School for 5 years. She then completed her Masters degree in Choral Conducting at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama whilst teaching A level Music and BTec Musical Theatre at St Brendan’s Sixth Form College.
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In her spare time, Rebecca regularly practises Chi gong, yoga and meditation, and has launched herself into learning watercolour with some unusual results!
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Brittany King
Canadian Soprano Brittany King brings a captivating presence, drawing attention with her remarkable versatility across various styles, languages and performance mediums. Described as “vibrant”, “angelic” and “first-class” by Charles Hutch Press (York), Brittany has appeared in traditional opera, oratorio, and recital stages in Canada and the UK and on digital platforms accessible worldwide.
Most recently, Brittany had the privilege of performing as a featured soloist at Magnificent Cathedrals such as Salisbury, York Minster, Coventry Cathedral, Exeter, Derby, Worcester, Blackburn among other concert halls. With her compelling performances in Brahms, Faure & Haydn’s requiem and Handel's Messiah, Brittany is beginning to build her reputation as a sought after Soprano in the United Kingdom.
Subjects taught: Vocal Studies
Brittany’s ever building work in the UK started with the Worcester Choral Society, (Handel’s Messiah), the Gloucester Choral Society (Bach's Christmas Oratorio), and the Coventry Cathedral Choral Society (Bob Chilcott’s St John Passion). She recently moved from Canada with her family and now lives in Malvern.