Profile

Esther read music at Oxford University, where she was organ scholar of University College. She studied choral conducting with Patrick Russill and Paul Brough at the Royal Academy of Music, winning several prizes and gaining a distinction for her MMus, which included research in choral pedagogy. In 2007 she became the first Open Academy Fellow and a London Symphony Chorus Conducting Scholar. She is now a part-time tutor at the Royal Academy of Music, where she is the choral conducting specialist for the LRAM teaching diploma and also teaches the undergraduate vocal ensemble.

Esther is Associate Director of the National Youth Choir of Great Britain and directs several youth and adult choirs, including the Brighton Festival Youth Choir, the Esterhazy Singers of London, Slough Philharmonic Chorus and UBS Choral Society. She is also in demand as a vocal animateur and workshop leader.

In 2006 Esther became the first Stanley Vann Scholar in recognition for her acheivements in and commitment to Anglican Church Music. Esther is currently Director of Music at Christ Church, Epsom Common and a senior tutor for the RSCM Church Music Skills programme. She was also part of the music team at the Lambeth Conference 2008 and is currently working on the Church of England's Resourcing Schools' Worship project, developing a web-based resource bank of songs and liturgy for use in collective worship. She also works as a church music consultant, leading training events, music for worship and speaking at Diocesan training events and conferences.  

Esther is a mezzo soprano and studied voice with David Lowe at the Royal Academy of Music. She is an experienced choral and consort singer, and is a founder member of professional vocal trio - Vox Angelica. 

Esther is a former editor of Church Music Quarterly magazine and has contributed articles and reviews to publications including Choir & Organ, Mastersinger, Roots and Zone Magazines. She is commissioning editor of the Complete Church Organist series and has also written choral arrangements for a number of RSCM publications including Music for Common Worship, the Voice for Life Songbooks and the Road to Freedom festival service.