RNCM Welcomes Renowned Tutors in Wind Brass, Vocal Studies and Popular Music

RNCM Welcomes Eight Internationally Acclaimed Tutors to Inspire Next Generation

The Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) has announced the appointment of eight distinguished musicians and educators, who will join its teaching staff from September, ahead of the 2025/2026 academic year. These appointments are set to strengthen the college's position as one of the world's most progressive conservatoires.

The new hires span the college's schools of Wind, Brass and Percussion (SWBP), Vocal Studies and Opera and Popular Music, bringing with them a wealth of international performance and teaching experience.

A Quartet of Appointments for RNCM School of Wind, Brass and Percussion

Internationally celebrated soloist and educator, Naomi Sullivan, joins the RNCM's School of Wind, Brass and Percussion (SWBP) as Professor of Saxophone (Senior Tutor) with a focus on collaboration, new music, chamber music and teaching.

Naomi joins with 18 years of experience as Head of Saxophone at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and an extensive list of performance projects in the UK and abroad. As an educator, she regularly works with young musicians - including those in the National Youth Orchestra - and is Chair of the Clarinet and Saxophone Society of Great Britain

Joining her in the School of Wind, Brass and Percussion are clarinettists, Fraser Longton and Oliver Casanovas Nuevo, who have been appointed into two Professor of Clarinet roles. Fraser brings a decade of service with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra as Sub-principal Clarinet and Principal E-flat Clarinet. Oliver brings a wealth of experience with an impressive history of performance with leading ensembles across Europe and the world, including the Royal Philharmonic Stockholm Orchestra, Aalborg Symfoniorkester (Denmark), Madrid Symphony Orchestra (Teatro Real), Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, the Hallé,, and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.

The final appointment for this school for the 2025/26 academic year is the former Principal Flute of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Julien Beaudiment, who will join the school as their International Visiting Professor of Flute. His extensive career as a soloist includes many acclaimed performances in major venues and festivals worldwide, including at Théâtre du Châtelet (Paris), Tokyo Bunka Kaikan, Berlin Konzerthaus, Walt Disney Hall (Los Angeles) and Beijing National Centre for performing arts.

Speaking on the appointments, Director of Wind and joint Head of SWBP, Kevin Gowland said:

"I am absolutely delighted that Julien, Naomi, Fraser, and Oliver will be joining us from September, and I look forward to working very closely with them. They are all outstanding musicians and will be a source of excellence and inspiration for our students."

RNCM School of Vocal Studies and Opera Appoints Professor of Singing

The School of Vocal Studies and Opera welcomes award-winning tenor, Christopher Turner as Professor of Singing. An alum of the RNCM, the tenor has performed with many of the UK's finest opera companies, including Scottish Opera, Opera North, English National Opera, London Chamber Orchestra and English Touring Opera.

RNCM Popular Music Department Strengthens Ranks with Three Experienced Tutors

Romanian violinist and educator, Andra Vornicu, will join the RNCM's Popular Music Department as Professor of Pop Violin, having toured internationally with artists, such as Lewis Capaldi, Paloma Faith, James and DJ Spoony. She has also performed in major theatre productions, including The Book of Mormon and Guys and Dolls and with ensembles such as, Manchester Camerata, Opera North and Manchester Collective and currently holds leadership positions with Novello, NEW Sinfonia, Ignition, Urban Soul, The Untold Orchestra and Northern Film Orchestras.

Speaking on her appointment, Andra said:

"I look forward to giving my students the tools and inspiration to succeed as young artists across genres – whether in the studio, pit, on stage, or in collaborative creative projects."

Also joining the RNCM's Popular Music Department is Damian Morgan, who has been appointed as an Artist Development Specialist, bringing 30 years of industry experience in artist management and development, networking and communications. Finally, RNCM Popular Music degree alum, Rebecca Lewis returns to the college as Creative Multi-Specialist (Vocals) building on her impressive career as a dynamic vocalist, producer and songwriter with a focus on music technology and innovation.