Meet WNO
WNO employs over 250 people ranging from artists, craftspeople, technicians and administrators – all based at our state-of-the-art home, Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff. At the heart of WNO sit our two full-time ensembles, WNO Chorus and WNO Orchestra, of world-class musicians.
Leadership Team
Staff Team
Administration
- Sharon HuntReceptionist
Artistic Administration
- Kate BaylisDirector of Artistic Administration
- Lisa TurnerCasting Department Manager
- Elspeth HardingCasting Department Lead (Future Productions)
- Mercedes HarrisCasting Assistant
- Llinos BeasleyHead of Planning
- Isobel CravenArtistic Planning Manager
- Sarah Cannon-JonesCompany Manager
- Cherry BernsteinDeputy Company Manager
- Caroline ChaneyStaff Director
- Thomas KinchAssociate Artist
- Dafydd AllenAssociate Artist
Audience Communications
The audiences department works to reach new audiences for our work as well as keeping our existing audiences engaged. We do this through our website and other digital communications, social media, advertising, direct marketing and much more. We undertake audience research projects and data analysis to help us better understand our audiences. We also produce all print and publications for WNO including programmes.
- Martina FraserHead of Marketing and Digital
- Susannah Atherton-JohnHead of Print, Design and Brand
- Carys DaviesMarketing Manager
- Owain ElidirAudience Insight Analyst
- Jamie ChapmanDigital Content Producer
- Naomi GriffithsDigital Marketing Officer
- Kirstin ChapmanMarketing Campaigns Officer
- Rhys WilliamsDigital Assistant
Chorus, Orchestra & Music Management
Our department looks after all of the full-time musicians who work for WNO, working around the clock to support the musical output of the Company. From the intricate detail of the work in the Music Library, to our multi-talented Music Staff conducting and accompanying hundreds of rehearsals per year - not to mention the integral work of our world-class Chorus and Orchestra in a wide variety of operatic, concert and outreach work – music is at the core of everything we do.
- Russell MoretonHead of Music and Casting Advisor
- Stephen WoodDeputy Head of Music
- James SouthallMusic Staff
- Frederick BrownMusic Staff
- Matthew DownesOrchestra and Concerts Manager
- Dave CollinsAssistant Orchestra Manager
- Catherine PorteusMusic Department Supervisor
- Hywel EvansMusic Department Operations Manager
- David AdamsLeader of the Orchestra
- Lowri PorterAssistant Leader
- Dave DoidgeChorus Master
- Mimi KrollChorus Manager
- Michael Clifton-ThompsonAssistant to Chorus Manager
- Georgina GovierHead of Music Library
- Catherine DuffyMusic Librarian
Development, Strategy & External Relations
The Development and Communications team looks after fundraising, press and public affairs. We work to raise essential private sector funds for the Company through a generous network of individuals, trusts, foundations and businesses; we raise the Company’s profile by generating media coverage for our work and we build relationships with stakeholders and partners including the Welsh Government, the UK Government, the Arts Councils of both England and Wales and other key influencers.
- Sara EvansHead of Development Operations & Events
- Sally Ann BirdIndividual Giving Officer
- Lorraine ReesMembership and Legacy Giving Officer
- Corinne CoxTrusts & Statutory Manager
- Sophie BowtellCommunications and Events Officer
- Lauren McNieCommunications and Events Officer (Maternity Cover)
- Sophie HughesDevelopment Campaigns Officer
- Ethan LumbResearch and Database Officer
- Saskia JanickiDevelopment Assistant
- Christina BlakemanPress Officer
- Rhys EdwardsDigital Communications Officer
- Giselle DugdalePress Administrator
Finance
The finance team assists in the smooth running of the organisation by managing all the money that flows into and out of the organisation, including payroll. It produces the management accounts, budgets and forecasts as well as the annual statutory accounts, and ensures that financial controls are in place, fit for purpose and meet the needs of the organisation and its regulators.
- David WatkinsAccounts Manager
- Damion HendyManagement Accountant
- Christopher ParsonsProject Accountant
- Gurmaal SinghFinance Assistant
- Valerie WatkinsPayroll Manager
- Mel JenkinsPayroll Assistant
People and Culture
The HR team leads on the delivery of people solutions that encourage the development of talent and engagement and support the delivery of WNO's objectives. We advise on the whole range of HR issues, including pay & reward, recruitment, employee relations and safeguarding as well as drive strategic and cultural change across WNO.
We promote a healthy and safe workplace and ensure that WNO fulfils its responsibilities in line with relevant legislation and ensure WNO's employment policies, procedures and interventions support WNO to attract, retain, develop and reward talent.
- Heledd DaviesPeople and Culture Officer
- Kelly EvansHealth, Safety and Wellbeing Manager
- Joanne-Lee DaviesPeople Operations Administrator
- Rachael Mordecai-LamertonHealth and Safety Administrator
- Sabrina HarrisLead Chaperone & Child Licensing Co-ordinator
- Emma NashPeople and Culture Business Partner
- Paul BakerSystems Administrator
Programmes and Engagement
Programmes and Engagement deliver a diverse portfolio of multi-award winning work. Their wide-reaching programme includes pioneering digital experiences, orchestral concerts for schools and families, multiple established Youth Opera companies, and weekly activity in schools and SEN schools - all designed to spark the imagination and engage more people with opera across Wales, England and beyond.
- Jennifer HillProducer
- Imogen LlewellynProducer
- April HeadeProducer
- Lydia MeehanProducer
- Paula ScottYouth Opera Producer
- Maris LyonsSpecial Projects Producer
- Sandra TaylorWest Midlands Hub Producer
- Rebeka PeakeSchools and Practitioner Manager
- Michael GrahamProject Assistant
- Branwen ThistlewoodArts & Health Project Assistant
- Hayley JamesProgrammes and Engagement Project Assistant North Wales Hub
- Rhianwen Hallows Administrator and PA
- Aimee DanielsVocal Intern (Cardiff)
- Aliyah WigginsVocal Intern (Birmingham)
Technical
The technical department looks after the creation and touring of WNO’s productions. This includes set, costume, wigs and make-up, props, lighting, transport and stage management departments. Our CTS workshops are an integral part of the operation and WNO’s trading arm; it also looks after storage and disposal of productions and show hire contract management. Departmental email address: technical@wno.org.uk
- Robert PagettHead of Production
- Megan Sinnett Production Manager
- Grant BardenTechnical Operations Manager
- Siân PriceHead of Costume
- Jane WilliamsMen's Cutter
- Sue CrowleMilliner
- Veronica PeterssonHead Tailor
- Nellie BirdCostume Maker
- Eve Jones Costume Maker Ladies
- Emma Jane Weeks Costume Maker Men's
- Andy JohnProp Maker
- Barbara LeithProps Technician
- Torben Schacht Head of Props
- Ian JonesHead of Lighting & Sound
- Paul WoodfieldChief Electrician
- Benjamin NaylorDeputy Chief Electrician
- Owain DaviesElectrician
- Anthony CoxSenior Technician
- Gabe WilliamsSenior Technician
- Nick GibbonsSenior Technician
- Katie Heath-Jones Stage Manager
- Jenni PriceStage Manager
- Suzie ErithDeputy Stage Manager
- Stephen BlendellTechnical Show Manager
- Angus FosterTechnical Show Supervisor
- Emmy Seal Technical Administrator
- Daniel SaddingtonFlying and Rigging Supervisor
- Sarah EversonProgrammes & Engagement Technician
- Daniel SammonsTransport Manager CPC Holder | Lead Driver
- Ian LoweDeputy Lead Driver
- John Birch-HurstSenior Operations Technician
- Judith RussellTouring Wardrobe Manager
- Stevie Haynes-GouldTouring Wardrobe Assistant
- Bethan Kelly Touring Wardrobe Assistant
- Sarah PadburyHarding
- Siân McCabeHead of Wigs & Make-up
- Tigy TuckerDeputy Head of Wigs & Make-up
- Bethan JonesWigs & Make-up Assistant
WNO Chorus
We are 40 full-time professional opera singers who, along with the WNO Orchestra, form the musical and artistic backbone of Welsh National Opera.
WNO Orchestra
With a reputation as one of the finest orchestras in the UK, we are one of two permanent, full-time ensembles at the heart of Welsh National Opera, alongside the WNO Chorus.
WNO Chorus
We are 40 full-time professional opera singers who, along with the WNO Orchestra, form the musical and artistic backbone of one of the few large-scale opera companies in the UK. We play a significant role in the vast majority of WNO operatic performances, as well as other events throughout the year. From bohemians to bakers, duchesses to drunks, we play them all!
While we have a number of singers from other countries in our ranks, we are unmistakably and proudly a Welsh Chorus. When you come to a Welsh National Opera event – whether at home here in Wales Millennium Centre or on tour across England and Wales – you’ll experience a unique, live acoustic event which is never the same twice. We give our all every time we go on stage, singing as though our lives depend on it.
Sopranos
Mezzos
Helen Greenaway, Mezzo SopranoIt's good to be a member of a company with an international reputation but which also has a family feel.
Tenors
Basses
What's On
Opera, concerts, national touring productions, free events and exhibitions.
WNO Orchestra
WNO Orchestra has been delighting audiences, both nationally and internationally, for nearly 50 years. We are proud of being more than just an opera orchestra, and we love the variety of work we get to perform - from large-scale orchestral concerts at St David’s Hall with our Music Director, to chamber music without conductors - in venues and festivals across Wales, the UK and abroad.
We are passionate about the future of our artform, and are energised by working with young musicians and singers from the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, the National Opera Studio, the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance.
First Violin
Nadine Nigl
Tutti First ViolinSecond Violin
Róisín Walters
Section Principal Second Violin
Vacancy
Sub-Principal Second ViolinAnn Jones
No.3 Second ViolinDonald McNaught
Tutti Second ViolinMarilyn Shewring
Tutti Second Violin
Viola
Vacancy
Section Principal Viola
Stephen Lloyd
Tutti Viola
Lydia Abell
Tutti Viola
Cello
Double Bass
Vacancy
Section Principal Bass
Ben Havinden-Williams
Tutti BassWoodwind
Charlotte Thomas
Sub-Principal Flute
Thomas Verity
Section Principal ClarinetWilliam Knight
Sub-Principal Clarinet
Llinos Owen
Sub-Principal BassoonBrass
Max Garrard
Sub-Principal Horn
Vacancy
Sub-Principal Trombone
Timpani
What's On
Opera, concerts, national touring productions, free events and exhibitions.
WNO Friends
Join our mission to inspire a new generation of opera lovers - from just £50 per year.
Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors collectively oversees the Company's affairs, while meeting the appropriate interests of our stakeholders. Additional support comes from our Advisory Board.
WNO Friends
Join our mission to inspire a new generation of opera lovers - from just £50 per year.