Stevie Higgins

Stevie Higgins

Studied at Oxford University, the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the National Opera Studio in London and is now a conductor and pianist, working with the UK’s major opera houses including Glyndebourne, ROH, ENO and Scottish Opera. Passionate about music education, he has worked as a performer and conductor with Kidenza since its inception. He is a member of the board of ‘Co-opera-co’, a company dedicated to nurturing and mentoring young opera singers and orchestral musicians which tours the UK regularly and has just completed a highly successful residency at the Hackney Empire in London.

Stephen led the Glyndebourne education programme for many years, demystifying and introducing countless young people to the operatic repertoire. He also has devised orchestral conducting workshops for the business community, when he takes an orchestra into the boardroom of a city law firm or bank and demonstrates the link between the leadership qualities of orchestral conducting and management of a work force. These have been highly acclaimed and clients have included Sky and UBS.

As a performer, Stephen has conducted the RPO, LPO and Philharmonia orchestras, alongside an operatic career, which encompasses many performances at ENO, Holland Park and festivals in Italy, Portugal, Finland and France. He is interested in the point where two musical worlds collide- genuine ‘crossover’ if you like, which recently saw him work alongside Damon Albarn of Blur and Gorrilaz fame with the combined forces of the ENO orchestra, director Rufus Norris and the dance company Frantic assembly. This piece was part of the 2012 Olympic festival of culture and was recorded by EMI.

Stephen has appeared regularly on TV and Radio- often heard on Radio 3s ‘In Tune’, and was a mentor to Actress Josie Lawrence on BBC2’s ‘Maestro at the Opera’ in 2012

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The Board of Trustees

Stevie studied at Oxford University, the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the National Opera Studio in London and is now a conductor and pianist, working with the UK’s major opera houses including Glyndebourne, ROH, ENO and Scottish Opera. Passionate about music education, he has worked as a performer and conductor with Kidenza since its inception.

Barbara Stilwell

Barbara has a background in nursing, psychology and education and is passionate about music. She recently headed a global campaign called ‘Nursing Now’ and she brings very valuable skills to the board, including management, teaching, networking and communication.

Simon Daniels

Simon joined the Kidenza Board in January 2021. After a false start on the recorder in Year 3, Simon studied the trumpet at school and then read music at the University of Edinburgh. After graduating, he completed postgraduate research into Italian sacred music at the University of Birmingham. Professionally, Simon has spent his career in arts fundraising, particularly at Historic Royal Palaces where he is Head of Development. As a beneficiary of free music lessons at school and of the opportunities presented by many youth ensembles in his native North Tyneside, Simon is passionate about helping young people access and enjoy classical music.

Tim Barber-Lomax

Tim is a Business Development Manager for a global cost optimisation consultancy. His background has largely focussed on strategy, consulting, analysis, sales/business development and operations. Although thoroughly enjoying his career outside of music, it will always remain his true passion. Tim’s musical journey began as far back as his memory serves him, learning the piano via the Suzuki method as a toddler. Music was a constant throughout primary and secondary school, getting heavily involved in all forms, either as a pianist, singer or trombonist. He continued his studies into music at Kingston University and San Francisco State University.

As music has given him so much joy throughout his life, he is so grateful to be part of such a fantastic team who wants to share that joy with as many children as possible.

Oliver Dixon

Oliver is a primary school teacher working at Chailey Heritage – a non-maintained, Ofsted awarded ‘Outstanding’ special school for children and young people from nursery age up to 19 with complex neuro-disabilities, high health needs, sensory impairments, and associated learning difficulties.

Oliver’s experience of working in this environment is a huge asset to Kidenza and vital in helping us to make live orchestral music accessible to everyone