Meet the Boys

	Andy Bulleyment Music Director Andy has been SWGMC's principal conductor and music director since he founded the group in 2008. Between 2002 and 2008 he was the principal conductor of the City of Cardiff Concert Band and has also conducted many one-off concerts and productions with various groups. Recent engagements include concert performances of HMS Pinafore and Trial by Jury and the premier performance of Peter Milmer's Requiem as well as the premiers of Rhapsody Gwerinol and Haid by Gareth Churchill. Apart from conducting, Andy plays the cello and is a member of the Cardiff Philharmonic Orchestra with whom he performs regularly. During the day, Andy is an optometrist working all over South Wales including in the Cardiff University School of Optometry where he is an associate tutor.
	Nick McNeill Chair Nick was elected as Chair of the choir in 2009. He has been involved in singing and amateur dramatics for a number of years, starring as Fagin in Cardiff's New Theatre before joining the choir. After a busy day working as a senior manager in the Welsh Government, Nick relishes the opportunity to have a good old sing song amongst friends ..and being part of the SWGMC certainly gives him that chance. He says "The SWGMC committee is keen to promote gay men in a positive light and promote our music. I love the fact that we are able to share our wide ranging repertoire with all sorts of people, a real testament to the relationships we currently have, and the ones we are developing. We have certainly gone from strength to strength over the last few years and we are grateful to the various audiences who have supported us. We look forward to making more friends as time goes on." Nick's highlights so far include performing at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay, bringing tears to people's eyes with his rendition of Bring Him Home and winning a tassel twirling competition after singing with the choir at a burlesque themed charity event.
	Matthew Richards Secretary Matthew joined the Chorus in 2009. Never having previously sung a note (except very badly in school concerts) he joined the Chorus to do something fun which would be completely different from his day job as a solicitor. Matthew has never looked back since joining, loves singing with the second tenors and never imagined the Chorus would become such a big part of his life! Matthew, who became Chorus Secretary in June 2011, has been thrilled to see the Chorus develop over the past few years and looks forward to its success going on and on. Matthew is the first point of contact for people wishing to approach the chorus for information. He can be contacted on gaychorus@gmail.com.
	Nick Owen Treasurer Nick joined SWGMC in September 2009 having been spotted hanging around the stall at Cardiff Mardi Gras. He had never sung before (except in the shower and the car) and thought he would only last a month! Two years later he is still in the baritone section and has had some fantastic times with the Chorus and made many new friends. Nick became Chorus Treasurer in June 2011, a role he is very much looking forward to. During the day, Nick works as a specialist nurse, visiting and looking after children with diabetes and can be found anywhere between Builth Wells and Newport!
	Ben Williams Branding and Production Designer Ben joined the South Wales Gay Men's Chorus in February 2009 and has played a major role in the branding and visual style of the Chorus. He redesigned the logo, which is used on all publicity and he produces all the artwork for promotional materials. Ben has also designed and produced costumes, stage sets and the SWGMC Mardi Gras stall along with graphic work for the Chorus members' uniforms. Ben is currently a Marketing and PR manager for Cardiff Wales LGBT Mardi Gras and works as a special educational needs teacher.
	Stephen Whitehead Publicity Officer / Coordinator Stephen joined the chorus in September 2009 after moving to Cardiff from Swansea where he had worked for one of the High Street banks for 35 years, before being granted early retirement, and is currently half-way through his B.A. (Hons.) in Literature with the Open University. Stephen was born in Lancashire. He started singing as a boy soprano and then as an alto in the school choir. After moving to Wales he sang in Neath Methodist Church choir and for over 25 years was a member of Neath Amateur Operatic Society, last playing Jacob Marley in Scrooge in 2001. He also assisted with, and participated in, operas for Cadoxton Opera (Neath) and also Neath Opera Group Seasons at the Adelina Patti Theatre at Craig-y-Nos. He has worked in every aspect and branch of amateur theatre, including as make-up artist and dresser and director, but has always returned to his first love, singing. He is now a member of the bass section of SWGMC and is delighted to be its Publicity Coordinator.
	Christopher R Fossey Arranger & Accompanist Christopher is the resident accompanist and co-arranger and orchestrator for the South Wales Gay Men's Chorus. A recent graduate of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, he studied composition with Lynne Plowman and piano accompaniment with Jeffrey Howard. He graduated with first class honours and was the recipient of the 2010 RWCMD Composition Prize. Christopher’s credits as rehearsal accompanist and pit musician include ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’ (2009), ‘Hello Again’ (2010) and ‘Merrily We Roll Along’ (2011) for the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, and ‘The Producers’ (2009), ‘The Wizard of Oz’ (2010), ‘My Fair Lady’ (2011) and ‘Copacabana’ (2011) for Orbit Theatre Co. As a musical director and assistant musical director he has worked with Youth Music Theatre UK for ‘Mort’ (2011), and with The Unknown Theatre Co. for ‘Life, Actually’ (2010), ‘West Side Story’ (2011), ‘Spring Awakening’ (2011) and ‘Sweeney Todd’ (2011). He also regularly works as a rehearsal accompanist for the MA Musical Theatre course at RWCMD and as a tutor and accompanist for the Young Actors Studio at RWCMD. As a composer, orchestrator and arranger Christopher has written for varying forces of scale and number, from small ensembles to full orchestra. As assistant orchestrator and arranger he worked on Tornado Films' 'Rain - an original musical' (previously titled 'Summertime') which premiered in late 2010 and is due for distribution in the very near future. Christopher also recently completed an original arrangement on commission from the South Wales Gay Men's Chorus entitled 'Precious Anthems' which was first performed on the main stage of the Cardiff Mardi Gras 2011 Festival. You can find out more about Chris at his website.
	Vicky Guise Conductor & Accompanist Vicky is an award-winning flautist and teacher who supports the chorus by assisting with the accompaniment and conducting. Recently graduating with a first class degree from the Royal Welsh College of Music, Vicky plays flute in various ensembles, has played professionally with the orchestra of the Welsh National Opera and has taken masterclass tuition from Sir James Galway. Vicky also plays piccolo, piano and tenor saxophone. You can find out more about Vicky at her website.
	Neil J Lloyd Webmaster and Tenor 2 Principal Neil made the transition from singing in the shower to singing on stage when he joined the choir in summer 2008. He now leads the Tenor II Section and also manages the choir website. Outside of choir, Neil runs GayTravellerBlog.com, coaches entrepreneurs and implements web solutions for businesses of all shapes and sizes. His passions include music, writing, travelling and the great outdoors. Although often mistaken for Will Ferrell or Tom Waits, fame has still some how eluded Neil but if you would like to contact him about the choir website then please email the chorus secretary with your message.
	Craig Stephenson Tenor 1 Section After being totally enthralled by the Last Choir Standing competition on TV a couple of years ago, memories of his school choir returned and Craig decided he wanted to re-join a choir - after 30 years of singing into a hairbrush. By chance, a good friend mentioned that he had recently joined South Wales Gay Men's Chorus. Craig knew it was for him before he even heard the chorus sing. He joined in the autumn of 2008 and has not looked back since. Craig says "I'm so pleased I joined the chorus. It's been great being part of a growing and maturing choir with such a great bunch of guys. In addition to the social aspects, I love the sound we've been producing and some of the arrangements but most of all I love the performing - no surprises there!". By day, Craig works for the National Assembly for Wales in Cardiff Bay. He's bilingual (which comes in handy when we're rehearsing our traditional Welsh pieces) and enjoys travel and reading.
	Gavin Hawkins Tenor 1 Principal A born entertainer, Gavin not only sings but also dances, plays a mean piano and always has a good gag at the ready. As a previous choir secretary, Gavin was instrumental in co-ordinating the choir's activities over 2009/2010. He currently leads the top tenor section, providing musical guidance and conducting sectional rehearsals. He says "Being with the SWGMC is a big part of my life and I have enjoyed making new friends and being part of such a diverse and talented group." His other interests include reading, theatre and socialising.
	Nigel Lewis Baritone Section Nigel joined the baritone section of the chorus in November 2008 and soon became Choir Liason Officer, then Baritone Section Leader before holding the Treasurer post in 2009/10. Now retired, Nigel used to work for BT as a telephone engineer, testing officer and electrician. When he's not singing his heart out, Nigel is often entertaining friends and family or travelling to some far off land.

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