Musical direction

The Ashbourne Singers is led by Linda Perry Smith.

Linda studied French and Music at Southampton University followed by a Masters in Vocal Performance at the Birmingham Conservatoire. She has taught singing ever since and has coached choristors at Brentwood Cathedral, Essex. Linda has given many solo recitals, most recently in the Ashbourne Festival ‘09 and has taken roles in opera, musical theatre, G & S and given oratorio performances around the country. She has also fronted the South East Jazz Orchestra, provided corporate entertainment in London with the Satin Dolls trio and now gigs with a Jazz Quartet. Linda toured with a French theatre company, and has run theatre summer schools for children and written and directed “The 60’s show” for Ashbourne’s Open Door Youth Theatre.

In September 2007 Linda formed the Ashbourne Singers to encourage people to sing and discovered a passion for conducting. She is thrilled at how it has grown in strength, numbers and reputation. The Young Ashbourne Singers was formed in 2008. It is growing and is being asked to sing at various events.

The choir is accompanied and supported by the following team of musicians:-

Steve Duckworth - Steve is a classically trained pianist and singer. Since graduating from Surrey University with a degree in Music and Sound Recording he has worked full time as a composer and sound designer in the video games industry, working on many high profile games and movie licences. Outside of his day job Steve enjoys working with local choirs and soloists as an accompanist and through this has discovered a passion for choral arranging.

Mel Gill - Mel gained an honours degree in music with Anglia Polytechnic University at Colchester Institute in 1994, and has been teaching flute and piano since then. Mel has worked for local charity First Taste taking music, memory and movement into Care Homes and Day Centres for the last six years. She has been involved with music productions in Colchester, Ashbourne and Kirk Ireton and is currently a special needs TA, using music to help a child to experience the world around him.

Michael Halls - Miichael is Organist and Director of Music at St Oswalds’s Church in Ashbourne. Before that he held a similar position at St Matthew’s Church in Darley Abbey. He was Head Teacher at Turnditch C. E. (Aided) Primary School for 28 years. He is well known for promoting a love of music, especially singing, throughout the Ashbourne area.

Musical Direction