Woodwind department professor announcements

Angharad Thomas completed her postgraduate studies here at the Academy, graduating with an Advanced Diploma in 2017 having studied with Robin O’Neill, John Orford, Amy Harman and Fraser Gordon. She now rejoins the Woodwind Department as a Professor of Bassoon. Angharad is currently the Principal 2nd Bassoon of the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, and has performed with many orchestra across the UK including the London Philharmonic Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, Hallé and BBC National Orchestra of Wales. She has also acted as both performer and narrator for the BBC Philharmonic’s Musical Storyland series on BBC iPlayer and live on tour across the UK.

Maura Marinucci, Principal Clarinet of the Philharmonia Orchestra, joins the department as a Professor of Clarinet. Maura previously held the position of Principal Clarinet with the Brussels Philharmonic, and is regularly invited as Guest Principal Clarinet with orchestras including the London Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Orchestre Symphonique de la Monnaie. Maura has taught clarinet at conservatoires of Novara and Pescara, and has been invited to teach masterclasses at the Royal Conservatoire of Brussels the Royal Welsh College of Music and Michigan State University.

International pedagogue and conductor Yehuda Gilad joins the department as Guest Visiting Professor of Clarinet. Yehuda is one of the founding members of the Colburn School Conservatory of Music, serving as Music Director of the Colburn Orchestra and Professor of Clarinet for the Colburn Conservatory. He is Professor of Clarinet at the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music, and across these two institutions, has developed one of the most sought-after clarinet studios in the world. Yehuda is a recipient of the Distinguished Teacher Award from the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars, the Ramo Award, and USC’s highest honour for excellence in teaching.

On these appointments, Head of Woodwind Fraser Gordon commented:

'The students and I are very much looking forward to working with the new members of the exceptional woodwind teaching team here at the Academy. Together they will provide our students with an absolutely comprehensive skill set from which to learn and help prepare for the future. We are all delighted to welcome Yehuda, Maura and Angharad.'