Maria Caravanas. (O, Q) LRAM GBSM. First came to the Summer School as a student in 1978. She then went to the Birmingham Conservatoire acquiring her singing qualifications in teaching and performing. She has sung professionally with the Ambrosian Chorus and with Opera Holland Park. She has performed solo recitals throughout the country. She believes "Singing is for everyone."

Julie Collins. (A,H)   Julie is a saxophonist who as been playing in various big bands around the Merseyside region , on and off for the last 25 years. She achieved a Diploma (ABRSM) in Saxophone performance in 2012 and since then has been studying jazz with pianist and MU Northern Regional  officer, Barry Dalman and more recently with Saxophonist Dave Gilbertson. Although Big bands are her main interest she also plays with the North Cheshire Wind Orchestra and Liverpool Hope University Concert Band , playing alto and baritone saxophone respectively. Julie is a long standing member of the Radical Liverpool band, the Peacemakers and with them has campaigned and raised funds for many grass roots causes over the last twenty odd years. As a day job she lectures in Science Education at Liverpool Hope University and is an active member of UCU

Denis Fleisch. (K) Formerly a student on the Jazz Course, Denis is stepping up to direct the 'Jazz from Scratch' course after a lifetime spent in education.

Marion Harper (G)    M.A folklore and Cultural Tradition. Singer. Started folk life by listening to LP’s of The Ian Campbell Folk Group and Peter, Paul & Mary. I then joined the Grey Cock Folk Club, Birmingham. One of the founder members of the Grey Cock was Charles Parker, BBC radio producer, who with Ewan McColl (singer, songwriter, writer and actor - and WMA member) and Peggy Seeger (singer/songwriter), created the Radio Ballads, a series of award-winning musical documentaries broadcast by the BBC in the 1960's

The work of Parker was a major influence on the members of the Grey Cock and it was as a direct result of this that my interest in folk song, particularly songs of social comment or political songs, came about.

In 2003/4, having been made redundant from my job, I took the opportunity to go to Sheffield University where I took an MA in Folklore and Cultural Tradition. My thesis for this was 'Poliical Song: Its role, Impact and the Motivations of those who Perform It', and I was fortunate enough to be able to use many of my connections in the folk world for my research -  particularly those performers renowned for their 'Political Songs' or songs of 'social comment'.

Today I not only sing and play folk music, but have got involved in choral singing. I am a member of Birmingham Choral Union, with whom I am performing major choral works, which I very much enjoy.

Tamsin Holding. Accompanist. Formerly a music student at Durham University; she composes and plays piano, flute, and cello. She is an 'old hand' in the WMA School. At the school she has won much praise as an accomplished accompanist.

Neill Jackson. Neill is, like Beethoven and Mendelsohn, a viola player. He also plays violin and performs with several orchestras, including Chester Philharmonic, Crosby Symphony, Metropolitan Orchestra and St John's Festival Orchestra, as well as chamber music ensembles. He also plays with the Rochford Ensemble in Hay-on-Wye and London's All Souls Orchestra.

He sings tenor with the Liverpool Welsh Choral and has sung with teh English Haydn Festival Chorus. He conducts the Liverpool String Orchestra and Wirral String Days as well as orgnaising and  conducting the Wirral String Orchestra and Wirral Orchestra. He enjoys walking, cycling and gardening and in his spare time teaches.

Bob James. Bob started to play cornet at 12 years of age continuing throughout his time at school to complete a full time course at the Royal Northern College of Music.

He has played professionally with orchestras, ballet and opera companies and in all genres in theatres throughout the UK and overseas. He has also taught brass in school and colleges.

David Martin Mus.B; BA; ATCL; Dip.Teach – (E,F,N)   David is a composer, teacher, organist, singer and writer on music. In the last capacity he has been heard several times on Radios 3 and 4, and has had articles published in "Early Music" and the "Musical Times". But composing is his main activity, and his music is heard regularly in public concerts.

Jane Scott_ - (L,S) (BA (Music) UCW Aberystwyth and PGCE London University School of Education. Has taught all aspects of music including A-level to students of all ages and is widely experienced in directing both choral and staged performances. Conducts Birmingham Clarion Singers; one of the UK's longest-established socialist choirs.

Sheila Searchfield -  LRAM LLCM(TD) Flute teacher and Tutor of wind ensembles and flute choirs. Formerly freelance performer with orchestras (including The Ladies Bijou Orchestra) wind bands and  ensembles.