Introducing the ROSS Summer School Staff
Ray Jeffery (School Director) - Director
Ray is a freelance Director and Choreographer for Musical, Pantomime and Opera productions with more than 40 years experience. During this time he has worked throughout the UK, Ireland and further afield where his name has become synonymous with spectacular large scale musical productions. Ray also tutors day and weekend workshops and other Summer Schools.
David Cound - Musical Director
David originally trained as a singer, starting as a quirister at Winchester College Choir School and made his first stage appearance with Winchester OS. Upon moving to the Midlands he gained wide experience as a principal tenor in Opera, Musical Comedy, Oratorio and Musicals. He took up conducting in 1963 and studied under Neville Dilkes. Since then he has regularly conducted musicals in the Midlands and has conducted five award winning productions at the Waterford International Festival.
Nikki Scott - Director
Nikki has produced and directed since graduating in 1985. Having run a venue at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival she went on to direct several productions on the fringe including her own adaptation of 'The Woman in White'. She has since directed primarily in the Hertfordshire area, including productions of 'Daisy Pull It Off', 'Bedroom farce', 'Ruffian on the Stair', 'Follies', 'Crazy For You', 'Little Shop Of Horrors', 'King and I', 'Fiddler on the Roof' and 'The Hired Man'.
Martin Smith - Musical Director
Martin studied at the Watford School of Music before becoming a professional musician in 1982 playing with Big Bands in the London area. he also conducted bands professionally before becoming a musical director for theatre. His shows include 'Pippin', 'Bugsy Malone', 'Fiddler on the Roof', 'Half A Sixpence', 'Can Can', 'Cabaret', 'Kiss Me Kate', 'Barnum', 'Crazy For You', 'King and I', 'The Hired Man' and 'I Love You Because'. Martin is the resident Musical Director of Lemon Tuesday, an all female vocal group based in Hertfordshire formed in 2004. He also has a passion for design and has worked as a production designer for shows at the Watford Palace Theatre since 1991.
Martyn Knight - Director
Martyn has been in show business for over 40 years, 14 of them professionally. He performed with many societies before turning professional in 1976 dancing in cabaret in Portugal, Japan and Singapore. On returning to the UK he joined the Black and White Minstrels for 4 years. His West End and TV credits include 'Joseph', 'Metropolis', 'South Pacific', 'Seven Brides', the 1984 Royal Variety Performance and 4 years as a member of the Players Theatre in the BBC's 'Good Old Days'. Martyn has now been directing and choreographing for amateur companies for the past 19 years and to date has been involved with 130 productions.
Keith Weston - Musical Director
Keith has been involved in musical theatre for over 40 years. Starting out as a trumpet player, and covering all styles of music, he has played for many top stars over the years in the Lincolnshire area. Progressing to Musical Direction, Keith has conducted Brass, Wind, Orchestral, Big Band and Operatic Societies and is now resident Musical Director for 'Grimsby and Cleethorpes OS', 'Curtain Up Productions', 'Janice Sutton Productions' and the Skegness based 'Janice Sutton Theatre School'. His working week is spent teaching music, brass and singing in local primary schools. Keith is delighted to be part of the ROSS Summer School team having worked with Martyn Knight on several major productions, including '42ndStreet', 'Oliver', 'Oklahoma' and most recently 'Copacabana'.
Jean Hancock - Music Associate
Jean has been participating in music and drama from her Primary School days, both performing and accompanying. She taught music for many years, ending her career in Special Education, teaching 11-16 year olds with Emotional and Behavioural problems. She plays for a number of local societies in and around Bournemouth, accompanying a wide range of music. She has been a member of the team at ROSS for many years and has thoroughly enjoyed every one of them.
Ian Crawford - Music Associate / Vocal Tutor
Since graduating from Oxford, Ian has worked extensively as a musical director, composer and voice coach with amateur groups in South London. Recent productions include Treasure Island (music and lyrics), Twelfth Night, Honk! and numerous revues. He regularly runs singing workshops for groups in addition to teaching privately. Ian enjoys singing with several London chamber choirs whose recent performances have ranged from the St Matthew Passion (Tilford Bach Society) to backing Snow Patrol on Later...with Jools Holland. For the past 8 years, Ian has worked in Arts/Heritage education for organisations including Shakespeare's Globe, Historic Royal Palaces and the Park Lane Group.
Rob Wicks - Music Associate
Robert has been involved within the Musical side of Musical Theatre for the past 13 years, as Musical Director, Chorus Master, Band Leader, Keyboards, Clarinet and Guest Conductor. Originally from Northamptonshire, Robert has been involved in numerous productions in this area before moving to Middlesex 4 years ago and is now actively involved in local societies there. Robert is also Deputy Conductor of the Aylesbury Community Concert Band has had the pleasure of conducting the band in some its major concerts in the last year. Highlights of previous shows he has done include 'Godspell', 'Singing in the Rain', 'Oklahoma', 'Barnum', 'Chess', 'The Hired Man', 'Copacabana', 'Little Shop of Horrors' & 'Anything Goes'. Rob is delighted to be one of the Summer School team having previosuly played for 'Land of Smiles', 'Kiss Me Kate' and 'You Cant Stop the Beat'. Rob also plays piano on the last night for the sing-a-long!
Jo Hand - Choreographer
Joanne's involvement with dance started from a very young age following in a long line of family tradition. Growing up in Mexico and then the United States she was accepted into a performance company at the age of 15 giving her the opportunity to work with many renowned performers and choreographers from an early age including Jacques D'Ambois. On returning to England Joanne trained professionally at Bush Davies and the Northern Ballet School completing a three year professional dance / teachers course covering all disciplines of dance and performance. Since graduating Joanne has taught and choreographed extensively including becoming 'resident' choreographer and assistant director/director for Darlington Operatic Society.