National Youth
World Youth
Did you know that Guitar Circus is run by a dedicated team of volunteers who make up the Board of Trustees and the Management Team?
They give up much of their free time to help organise and deliver the broad spectrum of opportunities supported by Guitar Circus for young people in the field of guitar education and performance in the UK.
Helen trained at the Royal College of Music graduating with prizes including the Anthony Saltmarsh Prize and the Madeline Walton Prize for Guitar. She has performed at many of the UK’s prestigious concert venues including the Southbank Centre, King’s Place, St. Georges-Bristol and in 2010 she made her US debuts in Los Angeles and New York, subsequently touring extensively in USA, Sweden, Germany and France.
Helen is Senior Guitar Tutor at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, the Musical Director of the NYGE London Camerata, founder and Artistic Director of the World Youth Guitar Festival and CEO of Guitar Circus. She recently appeared as the classical industry expert for the Sky Arts series, “Guitar Star” and is a sought-after masterclass artist, adjudicator and international jury member, for competitions such as BBC Young Musician of the Year. In 2017 Helen became a Winston Churchill Fellow for her work in guitar education.
Trevor has a wealth of commercial experience having worked for WH Smith for over 40 years. During this time he held senior positions in the Finance, Logistics and IT departments. He has also chaired the UK and Ireland User Groups for multinational IT companies and is a Fellow of the Royal Statistical Society.
His interest in the guitar spans a similar period and he has always been keen to promote the classical guitar especially for children. He teaches classical guitar part time at a local primary school and assists with the administration of the Corinium Players Guitar Ensemble, a group of 35 children and young adults from across the South West of England.
Since becoming a Trustee of Guitar Circus, Trevor has also taken on the role of Chief Operating Officer and successfully managed the acquisition and integration of the National Youth Guitar Ensemble into Guitar Circus. This has enabled the organisation to become the UK’s leading provider of classical guitar ensemble coaching.
Charlie enlisted into the Army in 1978 and over the next 22 years was promoted six times attaining the rank of Warrant Officer Class 1. He was selected for a commission in 2000 and has since undertaken a variety of exacting jobs. The highlights being to command a Squadron of 180 soldiers and be promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.
Charlie is currently Operations Manager at the largest independent school in Cornwall which caters for over 1000 students aged between 3 – 18 on 2 sites, 3 miles apart. He is responsible for the daily running of the Sports Centre, catering department, facilities department and all support services at the Prep School. He is also the Security and Health and Safety Officer for both sites.
Charlie is an accomplished and professional manager with significant global experience and an excellent record of achievements. He sets high standards, demonstrates clear thinking, sound decision making and positive leadership qualities.
Nigel Manley is a dental surgeon by profession and has been a partner in a large successful practice in Warwickshire for over twenty years. During that time he has helped to mentor overseas post-graduate students completing masters degrees in association with Warwick University.
In 2012 he completed a postgraduate diploma incorporating Business Studies, at Bristol University.
Nigel has been a school governor at an independent girl’s school, including Chair of its Executive Committee, for over five years, during which time the school has twice topped national league tables in England.
He has recently stepped down from the Independent Monitoring Board of a multi category prison in Worcestershire.
To fill his time further he is the treasurer of a local Stroke Association help and support group, and a local parish councillor.
Operations Director
Sandra worked in London for the Prudential as a Management Secretary progressing to become PA to the Chief Executive.
Since leaving London she has pursued her passion for the guitar by teaching at local primary and secondary schools and in 1999 formed the Corinium Players Guitar Ensemble to encourage young guitarists to perform together. The Group has now over 30 players aged 8-18 from all over the Cotswolds as well as an adult section.
Sandra has been involved with the World Youth Guitar Festival since its inauguration in 2007.
Write to us
By email: Info@guitarcircus.org.uk
By Post: Guitar Circus, 7 The Maples, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 1TQ
