Graham Welch, Hon. President

Graham Welch is Professor and Director of Educational Research and Pro-Dean at the University of Surrey, Roehampton, following six years as Dean of the Faculty of Education. He is also Director of the Centre for Advanced Studies in Music Education (ASME), co-chair of the International Society for Music Education’s Research Commission and chair of the Society for Research in the Psychology of Music and Music Education. His research and associated writing cover many different aspects of music and voice education.

Arthur D Hewlett, R.I.P., Former President

Arthur Hewlett had his first lessons in voice technique from E.G. White in 1925; became secretary of the E.G.W. Society in 1944; and took time out of a busy career in education to gain the LRAM diploma in singing in 1956 - 'at a time when many singers would be giving up.' Arthur admits to having been vocally 'little gifted' and for his success gives credit to the techniques which he describes in his book 'Think Afresh About The Voice'. He believes that this has made him better able to guide others than some who sing marvellously but with no clear idea of how they do it.

Nicholas Amer, Chairman & Drama Adviser

Nicholas Amer's career began in 1948 when he played Ferdinand in Shakespeare's "The Tempest" and,soon after, the title role in "Hamlet". Having joined Sir John Gielgud's company for "Richard II" with Paul Schofield, he later toured Southern Rhodesia, with Sir John himself playing Richard. A tour of India, Pakistan and Ceylon followed, in which he played Aquecheek in "Twelfth Night". He has toured the world three times with his own company "Voyage Theatre" and can boast of having played Shakespeare in 32 countries. He still appears on TV ("Jonathan Creek") and in films ("Man for all Seasons" and as Ben Gunn in "Treasure Island", both with Charlton Heston).

Peter Giles, Vice Chairman, Registrar, Trustee & Reg. Teacher

Peter Giles, Countertenor and Registered Teacher of White's Technique, studied voice-production in London with the countertenor John Whitworth. He is the author of all full-length books on the male high voice (four to date), and Millenium New Grove articles. He holds a PhD in vocal research; is a choral director; founder-member of Canterbury Clerks male-voice trio; and sometime Senior Lay Clerk, Canterbury Cathedral choir. He has a graduate qualification in teaching the visual arts. Peter's long, varied, artistic and intuitive experience is well-balanced between different creative spheres, bringing empathy and perception to his international teaching and therapeutic work.

Charles Cleall, Trustee & Registered Teacher

Charles Cleall, successively Professor of Solo Singing and Voice Production at Trinity College of Music, London; Conductor of Glasgow Choral Union (274-voice counterpart of the Scottish National Orchestra); Lecturer at the Froebel Institute College of Education, Roehampton; Music Adviser to The London Borough of Harrow; Sometime Tutor in Speech Training to the Scottish Churches' Open College; Northern Divisional music specialist in Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Schools in Scotland; Author of Voice Production in Choral Technique (Novello &Co Ltd, London), The Selection & Training of Mixed Choirs in Churches (Independent Press Ltd), Authentic Chanting, &c.

Dorothy Douse, Secretary, Trustee & Registered Teacher

Dorothy Douse has been a Registered Teacher of Sinus Tone since 1978 having studied White's Technique with Arthur Hewlett. She has served as Chairman of the Society and became its Secretary in 1987. A Primary School Teacher by profession Dorothy has considerable experience of using White's Technique with children but will also accept young adults as pupils. She has acted as a supervisor for students of the School of Sinus Tone and has examined students for Registration as Teachers of White's Technique. Dorothy has been a member of choirs for many years and has also done solo work.

Stephen Cox, Former Editor of Journal & Registered Teacher

Stephen has studied in the City of Leeds College of Music and has taken a course of lessons in White's Technique under the guidance of Elizabeth Clarkson. Currently he sings professionally as a counter-tenor in Southwell Minster Choir in Nottingham, England. He is also a part-time vocal tutor for the Nottingham Arts in Education adult courses. As an experienced teacher of White's Technique he welcomes enquiries about lessons from both adults and students. He was editor of the Ernest George White Society Journal for many years before handing over the reigns in 2007.

Jane Ashley, Registered Teacher

A graduate of Trinity College of Music, Jane Ashley has specialized in choir training. Her infant choirs twice reached the finals of the National Youth Choirs at the Royal Festival Hall and her junior choirs were successful in both competitions and concerts. She was Director of Music of the Chelmsford Male Voice Choir for fourteen years - conducting many concerts with them - and she has also conducted male choir concerts. She is currently Director of Music of the Bilbricay Cantabile Singers - a community choir - and also of the St. John Singers and St. John's Moulsham, Chelmsford where she is organist.

Seamus Brennan, Registered Teacher

Seamus Brennan has been a member of the Society since 1990 and became a Registered Teacher of the School of Sinus Tone in 1995. He is a former Deputy Principal of a boys' school in Ireland and holds a Master's degree in Choral Music Education and a Master’s degree in Psychology for Musicians. Since 1983 he has directed the Kilkenny CBS Boys Choir and in 1995 received the Pushkin Arts Educators' Award for his work with the choir. He has presented over fifty voice care workshops for teachers and lecturers at all levels and conducted seminars in voice care for students in Colleges of Education.

Josie Hughes, Registered Teacher

During the 1960’s Josie worked as an actress in the Theatre Centre company which was run by Brian Way. She has performed at the Minack open air theatre and worked with Shiva Theatre Company. She is also a singer/songwriter; has sung at the Cornish Proms; and recorded a CD of her songs. She currently works with Music for Health which involves encouraging very old people in homes to be actively involved in music, movement and singing and has recently embarked on a course which trains people to run community choirs. From her home in Falmouth Josie teaches voice pupils of all ages and abilities including those with speech problems.