Musical Director: Rhian Yamin-Ali

Rhian has played the piano from a very early age and is also proficient with cello, guitar, and recorder and has also had voice training.  After specialising in the Sciences at school, Rhian had a change of direction and attended the Welsh College of Music and Drama where she gained heB.Ed(Hons).Previously she had become a Licentiate of Trinity College, London. Her combined knowledge of Music and French led to her appointment as Piano Teacher in Municipal Music Schools in France, where in 1992 she was awarded the Licence d’Anglais of the Universite d’Avignon.
Returning to this country, Rhian was appointed as a Music teacher at Maesteg Comprehensive School and in 1998 was promoted to Head of the Music Department where she arranges music for, and conducts the school orchestra and choir.

Rhian joined the Choir in January 1998 and her musical talent and confidence on the concert platform brings out the best in the choristers under her baton

Accompanist: Ryan Wood

Ryan began playing the piano at an early age. When only 13 he became Assistant Accompanist of Maesteg Children’s Choir, later becoming their Accompanist
A former pupil of Maesteg Comprehensive School, Ryan accompanied the school choir and played cello in the school orchestra. At the age of 16 he became Assistant Accompanist of Cor Meibion Maesteg a’r Cylch and was appointed Official Accompanist in 1999. As well as being a proficient accompanist, in 2002 he achieved an ambition by becoming the Musical Director of the Spotlight Theatre Company in the Rhondda for their production of the musical ‘South Pacific ’. They have also completed a very successful production of ‘Copacabana’.

Assistant Musical Director: D. Huw Morgan

Huw was born and raised in Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales. He plays the Bass Trombone, Tuba, Piano, Organ and Percussion as well as being an accomplished Singer. He combines a varied career in the music profession and as a music educator. He has performed extensively throughout Europe and the United States. Huw also composes and arranges music in a wide variety of genres.

As a conductor, Huw has worked with Only Men Aloud! (which he co-formed) Serendipity Singers, Nelson Choral Society and Dowlais and Dunvant Male Choirs. He works frequently with soloists such as Sir Willard White and Rebecca Evans in varied venues including the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff; St. David’s Hall, Cardiff, Brangwyn Hall Swansea, Symphony Hall, Birmingham; Cardiff Castle, Grosvenor House Hotel, London and the Liberty Stadium, Swansea.

As a performer, Huw has been lucky enough to be involved such events as RWC Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Bryn Terfel’s Faenol Festival, wining ‘Cor Cymru’ live on television, several recordings with Karl Jenkins, Wales Millennium Centre Opening Gala Night, Last Night Of The Proms and numerous performances on Radio and Television.

Since 2000, Huw has worked as an instrumental and singing teacher in Merthyr Tydfil. He is always in high demand for performances and concerts. He is tutor in charge of the County Youth Orchestra, Wind Band and Big Band. He has also written a number of educational resources which have been published nationally.

Assistant Accompanist: Catherine Morgan

Catherine hails from Pontardawe in the Swansea Valley. She began playing the piano at an early age and was awarded a Licentiate Diploma in piano performance from the London College of Music at the age of 18. She also plays the pipe organ, violin and various other instruments.

She achieved an MA degree in Music from Oxford University and subsequently an MA in Education from the University of Wales. She currently holds the post of Senior Lecturer in Primary Education at Trinity College, Carmarthen.

In her spare time, Catherine enjoys accompanying for vocal and instrumental soloists in examinations, concerts and competitions. She has also accompanied, on both piano and organ, many male choirs throughout South Wales.