JEREMY JAMES TAYLOR - DIRECTOR

Jeremy founded the National Youth Music Theatre in 1976 and was artistic director until 2003.

He has written over 30 pieces for the company and directed over 40 productions for it. He has also directed for The Young Vic, The National Theatre, Glyndebourne, The English National Opera, The Banff Center for Fine Arts in Western Canada, the North Shore Music Theatre in Massachusetts
and and countless drama schools, music colleges and schools throughout the world. He has just completed six months as Director in Residence at King's College School, Wimbledon and visited Sydney in June to direct the premiere of Disney's new version of The Jungle Book.

JOHN PEARSON  - MUSICAL DIRECTOR

John has had a long association with the NYMT conducting his first show at the Edinburgh Festival in 1987. Since then he has been Musical Director for several NYMT productions, including The Wizard of Oz, Tin Pan Ali, Annie, Oliver!, Pal Joey, Drake and the national tour of The Ragged Child. He was also the conductor for the NYMT's debut in New York and Oakville, Ontario in 1993.

John is now Director of Studies at Tonbridge School having previously taught at Bedales School in Hampshire.

KATIE BEARD - CHOREOGRAPHER

Katie graduated from the Guildford School of Acting 18 months ago with BA First Class Honors in Acting and the Best Actress accolade for Class of 2004. Previous to her training at GSA Katie was a member of both The National Youth Theatre and The National Youth Dance Company.

Since leaving drama school Katie has enjoyed various professional engagements in theatre, television and radio, her first job being Judy in Better Watch Out at The Hampstead Theatre.

Katie is also a dance drama teacher and has worked extensively with students wishing to pursue a career in the performing arts. She recently collaborated with NYMT’s Jeremy James Taylor on a GSA Summer School performance of The Dreaming and is very much looking forward to returning to this charming work at Tonbrigde this autumn.

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