Performing Arts Witney - Dance Drama and Singing classes - West Oxfordshire Academy of Performing Arts

Brian Conroy BA(Hons) Humanities with Music, Diploma in Music, Certificate of Social Sciences.

Principal Director

Brian has been performing on stage, film and TV for over 40 years*, including being a professional singer (recording & touring in UK and Europe), and a Butlin’s Redcoat/performer.

In addition, he managed community development projects for over 20 years, working with a variety of Government departments, statutory agencies, voluntary organisations and community groups focusing on The Arts, Social Inclusion, Health & Well-being and Rural issues.

Brian was a founder-director of 'The Wild Theatre Co', an integrated drama company providing performing opportunities for people with learning disabilities. The group’s successes included performances at The Royal Albert Hall and Royal Festival Hall London, as well as appearances on Central TV and as featured artists on BBC1’s Songs of Praise.

Since 2014, Brian has sung Handel's 'Messiah' with TRBC, each November, at The Royal Albert Hall, London and has mentored countless singers to perform there too.
(for details about how you could sing Messiah at The Royal Albert Hall - see HERE)

Brian is a qualified Arts Award adviser (moderated by Trinity College, London & Arts Council England) and in 2014, was one of only six people, nationally, to receive an "Inspirational Adviser Award".
In 2015, Brian was awarded a 'Special Certificate of Recognition' by Witney's Town Mayor for achievements in the local community.

Brian has worked on a programme designed specifically to re-create real-life situations, training humanitarian aid-workers whose work will take them to challenging, remote or hostile regions worldwide, including training them to deal with ambush and hostage situations.

More recently, Brian appeared as a Diplomat in the Netflix series “The Diplomat” featuring Kerri Russell and Rufus Sewell (2023).

Brian is an approved, licensed, Children's Chaperone registered with Oxfordshire County Council.

*Theatre credits include Scrooge the Musical, The History Boys, Jack! - The Musical, Oliver!, Godspell, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Little Shop of Horrors and various pantomimes. TV/film include The Diplomat (Netflix), Gardening and Other Crimes (Ferny Films), Inspector Morse (Central TV), Gulliver (Jim Henson Channel 4 films), Between the Lines (BBC), A Question of Guilt (Elmgate/BBC) and If You See God, Tell Him (BBC).

Louise Conroy B.Ed(Hons) English & Drama

Director

Louise has taught in primary schools in Oxfordshire for over 30 years.

She has been Musical Director for many school productions including A Christmas Carol, The Wizard of Oz, Hosanna Rock and Joseph and The Amazing Techni-color Dreamcoat.

Louise holds the nationally recognised SLE (Specialist Leader in Education) for Music.
She has provided training for non-music specialist teachers for Oxfordshire’s County Music Service and led partnership school choirs across Oxfordshire.
Louise also conducts school choirs which have performed at The Festival of Voices both regionally (Dorchester Abbey) and nationally (Wembley Arena).

Louise trained with The Association of British Choral Directors, tutored by Amy Bebbington and Sarah Tenant-Flowers and is the conductor of WOAPA’s Choirs in Witney.

Since 2014, Louise has sung Handel’s ‘Messiah’ with TRBC, each November, at The Royal Albert Hall, London and delights in the opportunity to enthuse others about the craft of choral singing.

Louise also teaches piano to both children and adults.