The Starling Arts Team

Alys is from South Wales and graduated from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in 2018. Alys has performed regularly with orchestras and in many concerts in the West End. Alys is a regular deputy for shows in the West End and regionally, as well as having been the chair holder for Thursford Christmas Spectacular, A Christmas Carol (Dominion), and Carousel (Kilworth House), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (UK Tour, cover MD), and the Les Miserables Arena Spectacular World Tour. Alys is also very passionate about music education and in 2022, graduated from University College London with Distinction in her MA Music Education and works regularly as a workshop leader across London and the South East.

Annemarie is a composer, lyricist and Musical Director. MD credits inc: Billie The Kid, Midnight in the Toyshop, Magical Merlin, From Up Here (all West End), Annie (No1 tour), Rent (Dublin). Composer credits inc: J (award winning short film), Oh My, Nellie Bly, Dangerous Daughters, Around the World in 80 Days (all published by Concord). From 2009 – 2022 she was the Principal of the multi-award winning drama college, The Musical Theatre Academy (The MTA), acknowledged as ground-breaking due to its work around Mental Health and training, initiating the #time4change Mental Health Charter.

Caitlyn is a coffee-drinking, showtune-singing Aussie who moved to the UK to write musicals. She has a teaching degree and was the Artistic Director of performing arts company, Performing Miracles. Caitlyn has taught at schools such as Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Goldsmiths University, and Montage Theatre Arts, and has facilitated workshops for West End Workshops as well as Starling Arts. She loves sharing her passion for musicals (especially Wicked) and watching shyer participants discover their inner divas!

Claire trained at The Hammond School, Bird College and the London School of Musical Theatre. Alongside a professional career in the industry, Claire has taught all across the globe and finds joy in seeing young people evolve and grow in both her teaching and facilitation work. 

Eliza trained in Applied Theatre at the Central School of Speech and Drama and revels in the joy of introducing theatre to children and young people. She believes every child should have the chance to access theatre in some way and that it has a significant, positive impact on a child’s cognitive development. Eliza’s background is in drama workshop facilitation including Shakespeare, devising, and musical theatre; and using theatre as a tool for education.

Felicity is an actor, singer, and musician trained at the Guildford School of Acting. Her extensive theatre credits include performances with the Old Vic, Shakespeare’s Globe, and Lyric Hammersmith. Also an accomplished composer and musical director, she serves as the resident composer for Tea Break Theatre. Alongside her stage career, Felicity is a passionate educator and facilitator, collaborating with prominent organisations including Disney Theatrical Group, West End In Schools, and the Guildford Shakespeare Company.

Greg is a singer, actor-musician and educator who works in a range of fields across theatre, opera, a cappella groups and choirs. As a performer, musical director and composer, he collaborates with productions, projects and tours in the West End, around the UK, and internationally. Greg is passionate about making high quality performing arts rewarding, accessible and available to all, and he is proud to work with many of the country’s leading arts education organisations, theatre companies and music festivals.

Jade has worked as performer both on screen and stage. She was in the West End production of The Book of Mormon, the original London casts of Cable Street and Redcliffe, and has appeared in other musicals including &Juliet, Club Mex, and Sweet Charity. As well as other freelance teaching positions, she is one of the lead facilitators at The Caedmon Company; a charity that actively collaborates with local schools in Essex and London to deliver programmes to children who may not have the means or opportunities to participate in such artistic and theatrical activities.

James is an accomplished musical director, singing teacher and piano accompanist with over a decade of experience immersed in musical theatre. Known for his expertise in piano accompaniment, and voice pedagogy he has dedicated his career to nurturing the next generation of performers and providing excellent musical services. James holds an ATCL in Musical Theatre, a BA in Music & Dance from Kingston University, PGCE from the Institute of Education and an MA in Musical Direction from Mountview.

Lawrence is Assistant Musical Director for Disney’s The Lion King in London’s West End. Having begun his career as a child performer in three West End productions, he brings extensive industry experience as a musician, conductor, and theatre professional. He regularly facilitates workshops and educational sessions, sharing practical insights into musical theatre, performance, and the industry while fostering an engaging, collaborative learning environment.

Luke is a Maltese composer, MD, and theatre maker. His work has been featured with organisations including BYMT, Some Voices, the Old Vic, London Museum, Royal Opera House and the British Library. His recent musicals include the award winning Il-Każin tal-Imqarbin, It-Teatru tal-Miskin, and The Naughty Carriage on the Orphan Train. Luke is the founder of Saydon Studio, a theatre collective dedicated to creating new theatre within communities.

Nicola is a graduate of the RCM where she was supported by a scholarship from Diva Opera. She has sung for English National Opera, Scottish Opera, Opera Holland Park, the Monteverdi Choir, Philharmonia Voices and London Voices. She is a highly experienced vocal coach having worked for ROH, ENO, the BBC, Surrey Arts, Sing Up, Snape Maltings, Opera Holland Park, Trinity Laban, Streetwise Opera, Garsington and Snappy Operas. For the last 10 years Nicola has been working as a creative health vocal specialist. She uses singing for many health conditions, including people with Parkinson’s, hypertension and mental health.  

Rachel is an actor and theatre arts facilitator with a Master's in Applied Theatre from Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. She previously trained in Musical Theatre at LSMT, and holds dance teaching qualifications with the ISTD.  As an actor, Rachel has performed in children's theatre across the UK and internationally. As a facilitator, she delivers workshops for Wicked Active Learning, Disney Theatrical Group, Little Angel Theatre, and inclusive dance company Step Change Studios.