About Arbutus Music
Frances Quintrell
initial training, at Christchurch College, Canterbury under Donald Burrows, qualified her to be a specialist primary music teacher, in which capacity she developed her early career. Later on she moved to adult education where she was until 2007 a specialist Performing Arts co-ordinator for Essex County Council, developing the largest and most diverse music department in community education within the County. Frances has been active as a freelance vocal/choral coach and trainer since 2001. Her work includes considerable experience with youth music theatre for which she has received excellent reviews from NODA. She also leads workshops for adult singers covering vocal, choral and musicianship skills for Essex County Council.
Christine Gwynn
Christine read music at Southampton University and subsequently studied with Norman Beedie at the GSMD. She has worked as a freelance musician and music teacher since 1985. Increasingly, conducting and choral training have come to the fore in her work, complemented by a diverse array of musical skills and interests. She is active as a vocal coach and workshop leader and her extensive experience as an MD in music theatre ranges from Dido & Aeneas to Westside Story and contemporary pieces – a wide variety of experience which Christine has brought to bear on her work in the choral field. She is musical director of Valentine Singers, Writtle Singers chamber choir, Spectrum Singers youth choir and Tuneful Accord vocal ensemble. As a pianist and organist, she performs in a wide variety of contexts.
Christine and Frances are both members of the Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) and qualified teachers.