Team Members

Our team comprises our management team, our excellent instrumental tutors and our fantastic residential team.

Lewis Gaston

Lewis Gaston

Musical Director
Lewis Gaston works as a conductor in the UK and abroad. His work has been recognised in International Competitionsmore
Natalie Johnson-Hyde

Natalie Johnson-Hyde

Orchestral Manager
Natalie joined the English Schools’ Orchestra as Orchestral Manager in 2025. She grew up immersed in musicmore
Russell Crann

Russell Crann

Course Director
Russell first played French Horn with the English Schools’ Orchestra as a Mentor in its inaugural concert in 1995more
Dr Diane Davies MBE

Dr Diane Davies MBE

Honorary Treasurer
Diane was the Orchestra’s Manager since its inception in 1994. She has always been one to volunteer especially in a musicalmore
Robert Pepper OBE

Robert Pepper OBE

Artistic Director
Robert studied conducting with George Hurst and Arthur Davison and has worked extensively with proffesional andmore
James Widden

James Widden

Strings Tutor and Asst. Conductor
James studied at Newcastle and Sussex Universities, and then as a postgraduate at Trinity College of Music, under the tutelagemore
Emma Crossley

Emma Crossley

Violin Tutor
Emma graduated from the University of Manchester with First Class Honours, and a Distinction for Postgraduatemore
Ruth Cohen-Scheer

Ruth Cohen-Scheer

Viola Tutor
Ruth studied at Oxford Univerity, followed by a Post-Graduate Diploma in Viola at the Royal Northern College of Musicmore
Jonathan Gibson

Jonathan Gibson

Cello Tutor
Jonathan is an alumnus of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama (MMus, Cello) and the University of Manchestermore
Mark Lipski

Mark Lipski

Double Bass Tutor
Mark started playing double bass at 13, after finding the guitar and bass guitar too easy to carry around. He studiedmore
Rosie Burton

Rosie Burton

Woodwind Tutor
Rosie is a professional bassoonist and teacher based on the Wirral. Rosie was a member of the English Schools' Orchestramore
Neil Crossley

Neil Crossley

Woodwind Tutor
Neil is a professional musician who combines performing, teaching, directing and writing. He studied clarinetmore
Megan Roberts

Megan Roberts

Lower Brass Tutor
Megan is a Trombonist and graduate of The Royal College of Music, London. Originally from Hull, Megan moved tomore
William Riby

William Riby

Percussion Tutor
Will started studying Percussion at Chetham’s School of Music and then went on to study a performancemore