Choral Director

Elspeth is a freelance choral director, experienced in working with adults and children in a variety of settings. From small groups of eight singers, to choral societies of 150 members, Elspeth leads with passion, knowledge and enthusiasm to nurture singers’ confidence, develop vocal technique and enable choral ensembles to flourish.

She leads the Women’s Choir at The Conservatoire (Blackheath), and recently directed the Surrey Heath Singers in their Christmas Concert. She regularly conducts rehearsals for several South London choral societies, covering for Dan Ludford-Thomas, Joanna Tomlinson, Mark Griffiths and Andrew Storey.

Throughout 2023, Elspeth was Director of Music at St Laurence Catford leading a choir of children, adults, choral scholars, and small team of organists. Elspeth enjoyed collaborating with the clergy to meld music and liturgy, including music by Olivia Sparkhall, Amy Beach and Sarah MacDonald, and a new psalm setting with harp from Bernard Hughes. Several new children and adults joined the choir, and a hugely successful after-school song club was launched at the primary school next door.

Elspeth was Director of Music at St Paul’s, Herne Hill for two years, leading a growing choir in weekly services.  More singers from the community were regularly welcomed for memorable Festival services at Christmas and Easter. Highlights included the installation service for Reverend Ben Goodyear, Herne Hill Festival Evensongs, and producing community recordings for online services during lockdown.

Elspeth was Assistant MD of Clapham’s large, non-auditioning Festival Chorus from 2017 to 2019 (following 11 years as their rehearsal and concert pianist). She devised and conducted whole choir rehearsals, had responsibility for sectionals, and was formally involved in programming.

As well as conducting and leading, Elspeth has 25 years of experience in accompanying and performing with choirs.

Professional Development

• Conducting lessons Joanna Tomlinson, Neil Ferris
• London Conducting Academy Denise Ham, Dominic Grier, Colin Metters
• Voice lessons Bethan Forsey, Mairead Sheerin
• member of Association of British Choral Directors
• courses and events Singforpleasure, ABCD, MDbrunch

Previous engagements:

• Surrey Heath Singers
• Whitehall Choir
• Lewisham Choral Society
• Beckenham Choral
• Hackney Singers
• Enfield Choral Society
• Aylesbury Choral Society
• Croydon Male Voice Choir
• Hadley Court Singers
• Music in Offices
• projects with Gareth Malone

Elspeth is a trusted colleague who takes effective rehearsals. She is thorough in her preparation of the choir, with a good blend of purpose and humour. I always come back to find the choir in a good place.

Dan Ludford-Thomas

MD, National Children’s Choir of GB

Elspeth is a superb musician and a great colleague. She keeps the choir on their toes… handling all issues with wit, and a steely determination.

Andrea Brown

Head of Choral Conducting, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama

Elspeth has a magic touch, a way of encouraging and enabling the singers to sing their best. We all thoroughly enjoyed working with her.

Chair, Surrey Heath Singers

Elspeth has a perfectly developed sixth sense as an accompanist. She knows what will help the singers before anything is said. 

Peter Dannheiser, choral singer.