Anna Smith has been part of Franklin Music since the very beginning, joining as a Non-Executive Director and bringing valuable external insight, constructive challenge and encouragement to the wider leadership team. She plays an important role in helping Franklin Music maintain a strong focus on community impact, organisational development and long-term growth. She brings strategic oversight alongside practical experience in community engagement, partnerships and organisational development. Anna is passionate about the power of music to bring people together, build confidence and strengthen community connections.

Anna has over ten years’ experience running her own business in the Redhill and Reigate area, building strong local connections through event planning, fundraising and community engagement. Through this work, she developed extensive experience in building partnerships, supporting local initiatives and bringing people together around shared goals. Having lived and worked locally for many years, Anna is passionate about supporting opportunities that help people and communities thrive.

Prior to this, Anna worked as a manager for London Underground, where she led large teams in a fast-paced operational environment. This gave her strong leadership experience, alongside valuable skills in organisation, communication and supporting people effectively.

Anna currently works with two charities supporting people with communication and physical additional needs. Her role includes fundraising, helping members access opportunities, supporting outdoor activities and developing strong local partnerships. She has also played an active role in developing and strengthening the relationship between Include and Franklin Music, helping create opportunities for partnership and shared community impact. She is passionate about creating inclusive, supportive environments and helping organisations make a meaningful and lasting difference in the community.

A lifelong lover of music, singing and a good dance when the opportunity arises, Anna has also been part of Franklin Voices for the past three years and values the strong sense of connection and community it brings.

Outside of work, Anna enjoys running, swimming and going to the gym, as well as spending time with family and friends. She is a proud mum of two and brings both professional experience and genuine enthusiasm for community led work to her role with Franklin Music.

After 4 years with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra (NYJO) Bob went on to work for most of the major record labels playing for a huge variety of artists ~ from Five Star to Dana;
Kym Mayzelle to John Denver; the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to Roy Castle!

In the theatre he has worked with both the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre as well as West End shows that include CATS, Barnum, Chicago, Singing in the Rain, Me and My Girl, The Wiz, Threepenny Opera and many, many more.

In broadcasting Bob has worked on “live” shows, pre-recorded specials, series background music, documentaries etc. for both BBC and ITV.

Bob has toured with an incredibly broad range of artists from chart-topping acts like The Nolan Sisters, Helen Shapiro and Fern Kinney to minimalist classical composer Michael Nyman.

As a freelance record producer Bob has over sixty album projects to his name including two No.1 albums on the U.K. gospel chart and three No.1 singles on the iTunes Rock Chart, ranging in style from pop, rock, country, blues and soul through to classical, jazz and world music, producing and arranging for artists from the U.K., France, the Middle East, South Africa, New Zealand and the United States.

Bob is able to draw on his wealth of experience to help emerging artists to realise their full potential, both in the recording studio and in live performance. With some of the most experienced figures in the music business as part of his team, Bob is able to help bands, singers and songwriters avoid many of the pitfalls that await the unwary and inexperienced and guide them towards publishing agreements, record company contracts, management deals and live gigs. Past successes have included Newton Faulkner, who now boasts three No.1, multi-platinum albums; three No.1 singles on the iTunes Rock Chart for WELLER; guiding Tom Figgins to management, recording and publishing contract offers plus getting his own blues band, The British Bluescasting Corporation, to the Top 20 (twice!) on both the IBBA Worldwide Blues Broadcast and Roots Music Reports charts with their albums, Saints & Sinners and High Horse, not to mention the extensive international airplay the albums and subsequent singles received.

James Hall is an accomplished musical director, singing teacher, educator and piano accompanist with over a decade of experience immersed in musical theatre. Known for his expertise in ensemble singing, piano accompaniment, and voice pedagogy he has dedicated his career to nurturing the next generation of performers.

As a regular face around many UK drama schools James teaches technical singing, repertoire, acting through song and musicianship. James runs a successful private singing studio in Redhill with students obtaining places at top drama schools/universities and graduates performing all over the world.

James holds a BA in Music & Dance from Kingston University, PGCE from the Institute of Education and an MA in Musical Direction from Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. Currently he is training with Anne-Marie Speed on the Estill EMT pathway and applying to be a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. During his MA his creative project explored more accessible methods of enabling musical theatre students to analyse musical accompaniments when acting through song; an area of training he is very passionate about.

In addition to his academic achievements, James has worked extensively as a musical director, audition pianist and piano accompanist, collaborating with industry professionals on everything from one off concerts to UK tours. His arrangements and compositions have been heard both around the UK and off Broadway and have been praised for their detail and dramatic relevance.

James’ approach to singing training emphasises the power of identifying and developing independent voluntary control of figures that create and modify voice, focusing on kinaesthetic feedback - not just auditory feedback (and most importantly without altering someone’s personal sound.) This includes monitoring effort levels and different voice qualities. He provides singing “tools”; the ability to identify and solve voice problems and convey excellent Acting Through Song. He encourages students to foster creativity, precision, adaptability and confidence in their work.

James is currently the musical supervisor for Blue Fire Theatre Company and Jazzish, London.

With over 45 years’ experience in public service, Debby has held senior roles including Practice Manager for a busy NHS multi-GP surgery in inner London and as a Community Engagement Manager for the London Fire Brigade. Her career has been defined by a commitment to people, wellbeing, and community connection.

In July 2004, Debby was nominated by the then Commissioner of the London Fire Brigade, Ron Dobson, for the Mayor of London’s London Day Award. This award is given in recognition of people who have particularly contributed to making life in London a safer place for the residents of London. To date, she is still the only non-uniformed member of staff to ever have been nominated for this award.

Now retired from full-time work, Debby continues to make a difference by volunteering as a befriender for the elderly, offering companionship and support to those who may be isolated.

A passionate music lover, Debby is an active member of Franklin Voices, a community choir linked to the Franklin Music Centre and is also the lead singer in the band Double Dare.

Outside of her community involvement, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, gardening and her beloved cat.

Following a degree in Psychology and professional training at East 15 Acting School, Nicki broadened her teaching skills delivering drama workshops for The National Theatre, Hampstead Theatre and several FE college environments. Her inclusive approach was honed during her decade as Chairperson and Lead Creative Practitioner at Angel Shed Theatre (affiliate of Chicken Shed Theatre) along with various projects in schools and the care system.

Nicki’s adaptive style across a variety of acting roles, including for Glasgow and Birmingham Repertory Companies, make her adept at facilitating creative expression for any new student or seasoned performer. Achieving Gold at the RADA Shakespeare Awards shows she loves working with classical texts but is equally enthused by exploring contemporary scripts, devised pieces and evolving theatre genres.

A lifelong advocate of amateur theatre, Nicki brings a balance of professional performance understanding with keen community focus and a clear desire to empower anyone to create through drama and the performing arts.

Claire Clark is a theatre practitioner with over 30 years of experience as an actor, director, choreographer, and educator. Specialising in drama and musical theatre, Claire has dedicated her career to inspiring young performers through teaching, coaching, and staging productions across a wide range of settings.

A graduate of Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts and Laine Theatre Arts, Claire has performed in numerous roles and brings deep industry knowledge to her teaching. She has developed and delivered bespoke learning programmes, workshops, and curriculum content for students of all ages, from one-to-one coaching to full-scale theatrical productions.

Claire served as principal of her own theatre school at the Harlequin Theatre, Redhill, for ten years, nurturing the talents of hundreds of young people and building their confidence both on and off stage. She has held teaching and coaching roles at leading drama and musical theatre schools, and regularly prepares students for LAMDA examinations and auditions.

Currently Director-in-Residence at Dunottar School, Claire produces, directs, writes, and choreographs original and adapted works for performance. She is committed to creating supportive, inclusive, and joyful environments where students are empowered to take creative risks and express themselves freely.

Born in Farnborough, Kent, Dave was the son of a Charter Director for B.O.A.C., which led to much of his early life being spent traveling. The first six years of his life were spent in Singapore.

His mother had a love for playing the piano, and he was raised with an appreciation for both classical and popular music. However, a drummer was always lurking inside, and Dave was far more interested in hitting things. He would often raid the kitchen drawer for two meat skewers, using them to play on an old wooden box.

This habit later progressed to various cardboard boxes and chopsticks. At the age of ten, Dave's father bought him a snare drum, and from that moment, his musical journey truly began. Throughout his teenage years, he developed a passion for hard rock and, at sixteen, began playing in a Surrey-based rock band alongside original Gryphon bass player Phil Nestor.

In 1970, while still at Ewell Technical College in Surrey finishing his “A” levels, Dave was approached by Richard and Brian, who invited him to join what would later become Gryphon. The challenge of dispensing with 80% of his drum kit intrigued him greatly, though it also filled him with apprehension. However, over time, he quickly became an integral part of the band.

During his time in Gryphon, Dave also contributed to Steve Howe’s album Beginnings and provided vocal sessions for punk icons Wire on their Pink Flag album. When the members of Gryphon eventually went their separate ways, Dave transitioned into the music press, making significant contributions to Melody Maker and Sounds. He later became part of the team that launched the highly successful worldwide heavy rock magazine Kerrang! Following this, he spent the next ten years running an independent heavy rock record label.

Dave has also appeared as a guest backing vocalist for Martin Orford (IQ and Jadus) on the album The Old Road and, more recently, contributed vocal and percussion sessions for progressive rock outfit Gandalf’s Fist. Their album Forest of Fey was voted No. 3 in Classic Rock Magazine’s Top 100 Albums of 2015.

A career highlight? Walking onto the stage of Madison Square Garden in New York with his best mates.

Lorraine’s vocal styles centre on jazz, soul-funk, R&B, but extend to pop and contemporary genres. With jazz as her central ‘passion-genre’, Lorraine sings with trio Red’s Dreamers Jazz, and regularly performs with other jazz line-ups and accompanists at public and private events. Among other line-ups, she is also lead singer with soul-funk-R&B outfit FunkSensation and is co-vocal lead with Pop/Rock/Contemporary band, The Fire Balloons – both bands playing regular gigs, functions and weddings across the south-east.

Lorraine has performed at Tonbridge Angelfest for several years, as well as Reigate New Music Festival, Reigate Summer Music and Arts Festival. She is a regular curator and performer at the Pilgrim Brewery’s Jazz at the Hatch sessions and events at the Pilgrim Brewery Taproom including the Reigate Summer Festival Jazz and Chilled Sounds Stage (2024, 2025).

She has been singing in live bands at public venues, festivals, private events and functions since her early youth. Growing up, her musical training originally began in several classical and contemporary choirs, where she learned to sight read music. This special time also gave her an acute ability to hear and develop harmonies by-ear.

A trained journalist, Lorraine has a parallel career as a successful freelance business and corporate communications professional, working in the corporate sector over many decades. Her writing and storytelling skills have transferred as foundations of her ongoing songwriting journey. Storytelling is at the centre of her approach to her musical performances. She remains on her songwriting journey with several talented collaborators, which has led to many creative projects, including some original music already published on streaming services.

Mike has played in bands and performed live for over 40 years, playing in pubs in Birmingham through the 1980s and playing working men’s clubs and Warner’s holidays parks in the 1990s, in Southampton and its surrounding area. After moving to Reigate he played in various local covers bands, including Streetlive & Rubberneck, performed live at pubs, festivals and charity events for many years.

Mike has supported several workshops and concerts organised by Franklin Music. He believes playing with others is an opportunity for everyone to learn something new.

“You can learn a lot more in a few hours playing with others then you could on your own, and it’s not a one way process - everyone can learn something from others regardless of experience. Franklin Music is a great opportunity for all to take advantage of the many benefits provided by such a community project.”

Currently studying an undergraduate popular music degree in Goldsmiths University of London, Harry is an aspiring artist and producer.

He holds grade 8 Rock & Pop keyboards and also sings, plays guitar and drums. Being able to play multiple instruments, Harry has worked as a peer mentor at previous songwriting and band workshops for Nikki Franklin helping to facilitate people’s creativity.

Jessica is delighted to be part of the team supporting the creation of Franklin Music. Working in an administrative role, she is assisting in building the Franklin Music Network and supporting timetabling of events and concerts. She is looking forward to the future of Franklin Music and the development of the local music community.

As a keen musician, Jessica has completed her Grade 5 piano, Grade 5 theory and Grade 2 violin and is an active participant in the various music workshops and concerts as a student of Nikki Franklin.

Stefano is a multi-instrumentalist musician, music therapist, Circular Music and Drum Circle Facilitator with a Degree in mechanical engineering. Since 2009 he has been developing his music as a learning environment and a tool for personal and collective growth, working in disparate contexts: training, teaching, team building, community building music therapy, social projects, events.

He has studied with many trainers both in Italy and abroad, studying various in depth areas in the world of Musical Facilitation and Circle and developing his personal vision of Circular Music which he wrote in his book “CIRCULAR MUSIC – Innovative strategies for teaching and learning" published by Solos Media, released in September 2022.

In the educational field he brought his workshops to the conservatories of Cagliari, Modena, Bologna, Bari and collaborated with the University of Bologna as a teacher for the Master in Artistic Vocology and for the Higher Education course in Educational Circlesinging Ravenna.

He is also one of the founders of the EducArte Association of Rome, a training body accredited by the Ministry of Education and Merit and by the Ministry of Culture, with the which organizes and conducts training events for music teaching.

Albert Hera, began studying as a saxophonist and later discovered his true "instrument" in the voice. During his career he met Bobby McFerrin, with whom he collaborated on his improvised opera "Bobble" and on the album VOCAbuLarieS, defined by critics as one of the greatest masterpieces of choral music of the 21st century.

Among other prominent personalities, he collaborates in various projects both of scientific research with Prof. Franco Fussi, and on an artistic level with Roger Treece, Paolo Fresu, Gegè Telesforo, Swingle Singers, London Vocal Project and Steven Mercurio just to name a few.

In 2006 he built the educational project CircleLand, a new way of conceiving choral singing in a circle (circlesinging). With his knowledge and skills he is becoming one of the most important designers and consultants in the field of events, publishing and training, related to voice and singing. Among his innovative projects are CircleLand Festival, the first event in the world based on the strength and great energy of the circle where voice, dance and
percussion are the protagonists.

His publication, Siing Magazine the first quarterly in the world in double language Italian/English that talks about 360° singing. Since 2017 he has been the artistic director of the International Conference "La voce Artistica" conceived by Prof. Franco Fussi, who is held in Ravenna at the Dante Alighieri theatre every two years, and is a director and artistic ideation consultant for one of the most important Italian Jazz festivals, the "Moncalieri Jazz Festival".

Paola is a highly qualified and experienced musical educator and vocal coach, with many years of professional teaching practice in London and across Europe. Paola currently works with a number of higher-education institutions in Europe and the UK as well as private musical education providers, including Trinity Laban Conservatoire (London), Conservatoire Royal de Bruxelles.

Fluent in English, French and Spanish Paola delivers high quality coaching to students, based on the foremost research in vocal theory and related anatomy. She also forms parts of a teaching team delivering Estill courses in French alongside her mentor Julie Cimon Racine and fellow EMT Julien Gendron.

In addition to her teaching work, Paola maintains a thriving live performance career for prestigious jazz venues in London and France, described as a ‘truly gifted improviser’
Paola holds MMus, with distinction in Jazz Voice and Composition, from the Royal Academy of Music, London as a recipient of the Elton John scholarship and BMus, first class honours in Jazz studies from Trinity & Laban Conservatoire of Music and dance, London.

Paola is also a certified Estill Master Trainer (EMT) and is among few bilingual EMTs in France. In 2023, Paola was awarded Associate of the Royal Academy of Music, a special honour marking her significant contributions to the music profession.

As a music educator, Kate has over 20 years experience as a freelance vocal coach, specialising in contemporary vocal styles. Her students come from all walks of life and range from beginners to professionals. Kate particularly enjoys working with actors and dancers and is sought after as an audition coach and vocal technician. After examining the Rock and Pop syllabus for several years, in 2021 Kate became the Lead Senior Examiner for Music at Trinity College London. This role involves overseeing training, standardisation and monitoring of the examiner panel, alongside syllabus and product development.

After taking up the piano at an early age, Kate began vocal studies in her teens before going on to study voice and piano at the London College of Music. Kate furthered her opera studies with British Youth Opera and the Welsh Opera School, and in her early career, undertook engagements as an oratorio and concert soloist. Despite her classical upbringing, Kate’s true passion has always been rock and indie music.

Consequently, she has had a varied performing career, working with artists as diverse as Imogen Heap, Jim Diamond, the English Concert orchestra and Murder By Death, and in venues such as The Royal Albert Hall, The Royal Opera House and Ronnie Scott’s - along with countless basement music dives!

For several years Kate was a singer and pianist in indie group The Peryls with whom she wrote and recorded EP’s and albums which are published by Tummy Touch Music. Their music has featured on BBC radio 6 and has been used in adverts, TV and films in Europe and America. She continues to write and record music for various projects.

Now one of the UK’s most experienced Musical Directors, Steve’s first West End engagement was in 1992 as ‘Assistant M.D’ on Willy Russell’s ‘Blood Brothers’. Many successful years followed in the West End and on UK touring Productions, MD credits including ‘Blood Brothers’, ‘Fame’, ‘Phantom of the Opera’, ‘Dusty’, ‘The Commitments’, ‘The Blues Brothers’ ‘Grease’ ‘Dancing In The Streets’ ‘We Will Rock You’, ‘Carousel’, Fiddler On the Roof’ and currently is the Musical Director on the touring Motown production of “How Sweet It Is”

By no means limited to Musical Theatre, Steve has always maintained a huge variety of musical engagements, including developing his own successful recording and production studio, and as a keyboard player has performed with artists including Elton John, George Michael, Sting, Lionel Richie, Bette Midler, Mary Wilson, Martha Reeves, Beverly Knight & Ruby Turner. Steve also recently found his ‘Punk’ side when he toured with the legendary drummer Clem Burke (Blondie/Sex Pistols/Ramones)

Steve is currently Musical Director and Orchestral Arranger for multi award winning artists David Bedella and Janie Dee.

A classic self-taught musician of his generation, Steve learned to play by playing. Steve started playing bass in his school days in a punk rock outfit called ‘The Fence’ where they played classics by the Clash , Stranglers and Sex Pistols. After this, Steve moved on to playing the waltz, quickstep and tango in various club and function bands across the Southeast and became expert in ‘finding something to do when the bingo was on.’

Through connections made with other musicians, Steve became involved in the local big band scene where he (slowly) learned to read music and became the regular bass player with the Len Phillips orchestra, performing in many theatres across the county.

Steve then spent many seasons working on cruise ships in the ship orchestra, backing the on-board shows and visiting cabaret artists. The highlight of cruising was working on the QE2’s final world cruise, backing such alumni as Des O’Conner , Jane Macdonald and Bonnie Langford.
After this period, Steve worked in the prison service at HMP Highdown as the music tutor. The music class performed many times for prisoners and the public and during a visit by inspectors the class was rated as ‘outstanding.’ Whilst there, the prisoner band collaborated with members of Richard Stilgoe’s Orpheus charity and they wrote and performed pieces together.

Steve later returned to cruising and then joined the house band at a Warner’s Leisure Hotels, where he has been for the last eight years. Steve also regularly entertains at care homes singing and playing guitar and piano and is currently studying for grade 7 classical piano.

Mike studied percussion at the Royal Academy of Music with Nicholas Cole and James Blades. Since leaving in 1986 he has worked extensively as a freelance drummer and percussionist in theatre, TV, and the recording industry.

He has played for many of the London Orchestras as well as working for Sadler’s Wells, the RSC and the National Theatre. He has also worked and recorded with many European Orchestras including the Prague Symphony Orchestra and the German NDR Radio Orchestra and Big Band.
Mike has worked, recorded and toured with many high profile artists across rock, pop and jazz and has worked in many West End shows both as principle percussion and drums and as a dep in a huge number of theatres. These include Blues in the Night (Original Production and cast album), High School Musical (Original Production at Hammersmith Apollo), Fame, Rent, Guys and Dolls and Five Guys Named Moe. Mike was also the drummer for the Panto at Wimbledon Theatre for over 20 years.

As a composer Mike has recently finished co-writing and recording the new Trinity College of Music drum kit syllabus and has also composed and recorded the graded modern syllabus music for the ISTD Dance examination board and has been closely associated with Laine Theatre Arts College for 40 years.

He is a well-known and respected tutor and has held teaching posts at Trinity College of Music, Epsom College, Reigate Grammar School, Hazelwood School, Micklefield School and Tiffins School as well as being a principal percussion coach with the National Schools Symphony Orchestra and National Concert Band.
Mike is also a widely experienced facilitator specialising in Samba and Brazilian music and has led many workshops for corporate clients, business schools and educational trusts.

Dr. Nikki Franklin is a professional musician working as a composer, performer, and educator across a range of musical styles. Nikki is dedicated to music education, working internationally as a Rock & Pop Examiner, moderator and curriculum developer for Trinity College London and running a range of workshops and performance events throughout the year.

Nikki holds a PhD in composition from the University of York, MMus with Distinction from the Royal Academy of Music, London, and BAHons first class degree from the University of Sussex. Nikki has performed at and conducted her own works at numerous venues across the UK, including The Royal Albert Hall, Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, The 606 Club, The Barbican, and the Royal Festival Hall.

Her compositions have been performed in the UK, Italy and France and she has ongoing collaborations with artists across a range of disciplines. In 2015, Nikki’s large ensemble, The Spike Orchestra, were signed to Tzadik Records, New York. The Spike Orchestra became the first British artists to record a volume of John Zorn's Masada Book Two: The Book of Angels series, with the album ‘Cerberus.’
She has been involved as choir leader and manager of vocal ensembles including her own Soundtracks Choir in Surrey, and London Vocal Project. Franklin is a faculty member of the Circleland Camps in Italy and runs International Vocal Retreats in South West France.

Hello, I’m Henry and I am a new member of the Franklin Music team! I am taking on the role of Community Project Producer (Trainee) for the Redhill Rising and Epsom Rising Projects this year.

I recently completed my undergraduate degree in History and have a background in orchestral management, working with artistic directors and events planning.

I am delighted to have been given a position on the team behind the Rising Projects, especially one that will incorporate the skillset I gathered during my degree! Within the role I will provide support to the work done with our local oral historians and communities, delve and research for new connections on which to construct the projects, and assist with the overall planning of Redhill and Epsom Rising.