Nicola Starkie
Music Director
Nicola Starkie is a versatile musician with a huge passion for choral music. An inspiring and experienced conductor, she enjoys working with professional and amateur singers of all ages and levels of experience and is known for her encouraging approach, attention to detail and imaginative programming.
Alongside her work with Ludlow Choral Society, Nicola is Musical Director of two Birmingham choirs—Quinborne Choir and Quinton Community Choir, which she founded in 2006. Nicola teaches Music at Edgbaston High School for Girls and directs the 100-strong boys’ choir at King Edwards School, Birmingham. She also sings with acclaimed choir Ex Cathedra and enjoys arranging and composing.
Nicola studied Music at Downing College, Cambridge where she was Organ Scholar and responsible for directing the Chapel Choir. She trained as a secondary music teacher at Birmingham City University.
After a career break to be at home with her three children during their pre-school years, Nicola studied Choral Conducting at Birmingham Conservatoire where she was the recipient of the MMus Course Prize and the Michael Beech Conducting Award. Her principal studies in Choral Conducting were with Paul Spicer and she also received vocal coaching from Maureen Brathwaite. During this time, Nicola formed Polaris, an upper voices ensemble specialising in music from the Baltics and Eastern Europe.
While choral music has become Nicola’s main area of musical interest, she is glad to keep her hand in as an accompanist for soloists or ensembles and is part of the music team at her local parish church.
Outside of music, Nicola is busy with family life and loves cycling and walking in the countryside.
Marion Bettsworth
Accompanist and Assistant Music Director
Marion Bettsworth is an accompanist, organist, piano teacher and audio producer based in Hereford.
She teaches piano and music theory at Hereford Cathedral School.
She also produces radio programmes, podcasts and audio dramas for clients including
BBC Radio 3 and the BBC World Service.
Originally from Lancashire, Marion read Music at Lincoln College, Oxford where she was Organ Scholar.
She has held positions including: Director of Music at Holy Trinity Church, Hereford;
Assistant Director of Music at St Michael’s Church, Highgate; Accompanist for Enfield Choral Society;
Organ Scholar at St Marylebone Parish Church; and Organ Scholar at Alexandra Palace.
She is an Associate of the Royal College of Organists and a member of the Society of Women Organists.
Marion is in demand as an accompanist for recitals and examinations, and has worked with ensembles including The Sixteen, Vivaldi’s Women, City of Oxford Choir and the Godwine Choir.
When she’s not pedalling away in an organ loft or recording unusual sounds, Marion can be found pedalling away on her next cycling adventure or fussing over her two cats.
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