Our Musical Directors & Tutors
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Lou Semmens
Kearsley Youth Brass Band Musical Director
Lou began playing at the age of 10 through Bolton Music Service, and shortly thereafter joined Astley Youth Band. A low brass specialist, she began attending Junior RNCM at 13, before completing the BMus programme at the Royal Northern College of Music in 2022.
They have played for Eccles Borough Brass Band and Wingates Brass Band, and have recently completed their Postgraduate Certificate of Education and taken on a music teaching post at Moorside High School.
Lou joined the KYBB family in Summer 2023, and is looking forward to taking the band on. Away from music, she loves to bake, which our young musicians are greatly looking forward to!
Sue Stirzaker
Kearsley Training Brass Band Musical Director
Sue has been working with young people in a variety of musical settings for more than 30 years - everything from playgroups, church music clubs, primary schools, brass bands and Saturday schools.
Sue is a fully qualified teacher specialising in primary curriculum music and works with schools to deliver a comprehensive music curriculum programme for children from Nursery to Year 6.In her free time, Sue sings with the Hallé Choir as well as training young brass players.
Sue has been involved with Kearsley Youth Brass Band since the first day it started and has been thrilled to see how well it has developed over the years.
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Ethan McKnight
Music Tutor & Assistant MD
Ethan started his journey at the Royal Northern College of Music back in 2015. During his time there, he performed with Zoltan Kiss as well as receiving masterclasses and one on one lessons, performed with the RNCM Big Band, Session Orchestra and Brass Band, and met for lessons and masterclasses with many other highly sought after trombonists from all over the world. The highlight of his professional career is his involvement as lead trombone in the big band for the soundtrack of Warner Brothers' LEGO Incredibles videogame.
Ethan joined the KYBB family informally in 2018 as part of the support staff for the band's inaugral tour, and has since taken on more responsibility within the organisation, becoming Assistant MD in 2022 and Tutor in 2023.
Trustees & Committee
Our wonderful committee & volunteers are the lifeblood of KYBB and we couldn't do it without them!
Stephen Tonge
Chairman
Trustee
Catherine Roe
Safeguarding Officer
Committee Member
Amanda Campion
General Committee Member
Committe Member
Michael Hurst
General Committee Member
Committee Member
Michael Wilkinson
Treasurer
Committee Member
Lou Semmens
Youth Band MD
Committee Member
Dorothy Tonge
General Committee Member
Trustee
Ethan McKnight
Secretary
Trustee
Sue Stirzaker
Training Band MD
Trustee
Wendy Witts
General Committee Member
Committee Member