Biographies

Daniel Christian                 
                          
 
Alistair Parnell
 
Director

Soprano, sopranino, piano, EWI

Alistair studied saxophone and piano at the Royal College of Music. During his time there he won several performance prizes.  He also formed and led the Mistral Saxophone Quartet.

Alistair plays with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, the Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, the Northern Saxophone Quartet and is guest conductor of the Nottingham Symphonic Wind Orchestra. He also runs a very successful teaching business in Nottingham and is Visiting Scholar of Saxophone for Nottingham University.
 
 
Nicola Pennill
 
DipABRSM LRSM CTABRSM
Soprano, alto saxophone
 
Nicola was awarded the ABRSM Performance Diploma (with distinction) and subsequently admitted as Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music. She particularly enjoys ensemble playing, performs regularly with the Nottingham Symphonic Wind Orchestra, and was a principal player with the National Saxophone Choir of Great Britain.  She teaches the saxophone privately and in 2007 she was awarded the ABRSM Certificate of Teaching.  
 

Gayle Lond
Gayle Lond
BMus (Hons) MA PGCE (Post Comp Ed) LRSM (Performance) LRSM (Teaching) FRSM
Alto, soprano saxophone
 
Gayle studied clarinet at the Royal Northern College of Music. On completion of her degree she joined the RAF, where she is Solo Clarinettist with the College Band, based at Cranwell. She travels extensively around Europe, both in the band and as part of smaller ensembles. Gayle gained her FRSM in clarinet performance this year.

In 2004 she decided to concentrate her studies on the saxophone resulting in a distinction being awarded for the LRSM in saxophone performance in 2005. Gayle teaches clarinet and saxophone privately and for Lincolnshire Music Support Service.

 

 

Keri Degg
DipABRSM (teaching) DipABRSM (performance)
 
Alto, soprano saxophones
 
Multi-instrumentalist Keri plays clarinet, flute and piano as well as the saxophone.   Keri has completed her diplomas in saxophone performance and also in teaching (clarinet) in which she achieved a distinction.
She is passionate about teaching and learning, always keen to develop new skills and pass them on to others.  She teaches privately, and enjoys working on her own compositions.
 
Daniel Christian
Daniel Christian
Tenor, alto saxophones
 
Based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, Daniel has been exploring the expressive possibilities of the saxophone since the age of nine and took his ABRSM Performance Diploma at only 17. He has played with a range of ensembles, and joined Nottingham Symphonic Wind Orchestra on their tour of Italy. He primarily teaches saxophone, clarinet and piano.
 
 
 

Lindsey Smith

Lindsey Smith
BA (Hons) MSc PgDip
Tenor saxophone
 
Lindsey grew up in Stafford, where she played with the Staffordshire Youth Wind Orchestra. She arrived in Nottingham to study at the University, was one of the original members of the Nottingham Symphonic Wind Orchestra and fell in love with the vibrant Nottingham saxophone scene. More recently she spent six years with the National Saxophone Choir of Great Britain, appearing at the Edinburgh Fringe and in concerts throughout the UK.

Now based in Buckinghamshire, Lindsey combines her musical commitments with a career as an editor.
 

 

Michelle Phillips
Michelle Phillips
Baritone saxophone
 
Michelle began her music studies at the University of Nottingham as a flautist, but quickly switched allegiance to the tenor saxophone. She has since played with the Nottingham Symphonic Wind Orchestra, BSQ quartet, National Saxophone Choir of Great Britain and other ensembles in Leeds, Nottingham, and southern Germany.  
 
Michelle is currently studying for a PhD at Cambridge in the department for music and science.
 
 

Matt Lond
Matt Lond
GCLCM PGCE
Baritone saxophone, Tubax
 
Matthew studied music focusing on jazz and performance on the saxophone at Leeds College of Music and completed his teacher training at Leeds University. Since 2002 he has worked as a woodwind peripatetic music teacher for Lincolnshire Music Support Service while establishing various jazz and classical ensembles. He also teaches saxophone privately in and around Grantham.
 

 
 
Kirsty Everett
Kirsty Everett

 

BA (Hons) Jazz Studies

Bass and baritone saxophones

 

Kirsty studied jazz saxophone at Leeds College of Music, and is currently working towards an MA in Music Performance at LCM. Although she plays all members of the saxophone family together with clarinet and bass clarinet (and despite being vertically challenged!), she particularly enjoys the bass and baritone saxophones and has chosen to specialise on these instruments. Kirsty plays in a number of diverse bands, from the National Saxophone Ensemble to function bands.

 

 

Where to see us
Mar 13 2010 @ 19:30
Sanctuary for Saxophones, St Giles, West Bridgford
Apr 24 2010 @ 19:30
Sarah Markham Birthday Event
May 16 2010 @ 19:00
Best of Brass and Sax, Chesterfield
Jul 8 2010 @ 19:30
National Saxophone Congress, Aberdeen
Oct 16 2010 @ 19:30
Concert, St Mary's Church, Leeds