|
Jonathan Kilhams BMus (hons) ABRSMdip MISM
Jonathan started his music career as a Chorister in Chichester Cathedral where, from an early age, he realised his love of choral singing. This continued to flourish at his secondary school, Lancing College, and resulted in him gaining a choral scholarship to Royal Holloway University of London where he was a member of the prestigious Chapel Choir. Through this choir Jonathan recorded nearly ten discs on the world renowned Hyperion record label and toured this music around Europe, America and China. Being a soloist on several of these albums has resulted in him performing live on American, British and Estonian radio. Jonathan has also performed to people such as Charles, Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cambridge as well as performing in prestigious venues such as The Barbican Centre, Royal Festival Hall and The Royal Albert Hall. |
Since graduating from Royal Holloway University in 2012, with the highest mark ever given to a choral conducting student, his conducting career has flourished and he is in high demand in London and Surrey. His belief that choral singing is a universal language which has the power to bring people together in times of need is infectious. Jonathan conducts six choirs ranging from male voice choirs and boys choirs to mixed voice and school choirs. In 2015 he founded Weybridge Boys Choir, which has provided a fun and ambitious choir for boys across Elmbridge from any background and due to the success of this it has expanded and created a youth choir for children aged 7 - 16. Jonathan never thought he would end up being a music teacher and in fact, up until he was eighteen he barely had the confidence to give a presentation in front of his own class but after graduating he has been teaching in a variety of schools and has become an excellent and inspirational teacher to primary school children. He has the belief that every child would benefit from having music in their lives and it actually helps their academic studies along the way. Recently Jonathan also formed the Elmbridge School Choirs Festival which gives children from across the borough a chance to come together and sing their hearts out! His encouraging and ambitious approach has led to many singers of any age being inspired to take singing seriously and recognise their true potential.
When Jonathan isn't conducting choirs, teaching in the classroom or composing his next piece he enjoys playing hockey, watching cricket and spending hours on his allotment growing whatever the pigeons don't destroy!
When Jonathan isn't conducting choirs, teaching in the classroom or composing his next piece he enjoys playing hockey, watching cricket and spending hours on his allotment growing whatever the pigeons don't destroy!
