Board of Trustees
Chair of the Board of Trustees
Rebecca Vines
BA, MA, LALAM, LLAM, ALAM, ATCL, ANEA, GSMD, Cert. GSMD, FVCM, FRSA
Everyone who contributes to the BIFF family is equally passionate about sharing expertise and encouraging performers of all ages to develop their skills within a safe and nurturing environment. As such, I think the role of Chair should primarily be to exemplify the very best shared attributes of those thousands of performers, teachers, volunteers, adjudicators, accompanists, scribes, and administrators who have worked so hard for over a century to establish and sustain the vibrant and flourishing movement we all know today.
The British and International Federation of Festivals was founded on November 10, 1921. I was born on the same date over half a century later; and it was not too many years before I fell into an enduring relationship with the theatre which was catalysed and scaffolded every step of the way by the Federation.
The Festival movement offers a unique experience for performers to engage with specialists, challenge themselves against their peers, and target key milestones along their own creative journeys. But our influence is not just confined to developing technical abilities: there is a real joy in watching self-confidence blossom through interaction with protected and empowering competition. BIFF has curated a hugely special community in which every party should feel proud of how their individual thread of positivity can feed in to an overall picture of growth and emotional prosperity.
This is not to say we are without challenges: the cost of living, creep of digitalisation, time poverty, and lack of funding are just some of the difficulties that Arts projects are currently facing. Thus, staying ahead of major societal changes and embracing new ideas is vital if we are to power the Federation through to its next century.
It would be impossible to even think about approaching the role of Chair without an acknowledgement of the visionary and progressive leadership of Deborah Ward, who has driven the organisation through a crucial period of restructuring and modernisation. Deborah has created an ambitious culture of farsightedness and professional expediency; and I am hoping that skills I have accrued in previous work may help to continue this good work.
I enjoy collecting qualifications, and have majored in Journalism, Acting, and Shakespearean studies. As a member of the BIFF Adjudicator’s Council, a LAMDA Team Leader, and an assessor for UK Pantomime Awards; I have regularly contributed to panel discussions which inform and refine performer experience alongside educational and legal requirements.
In 2014, I was awarded the prestigious Fellowship of the Royal Society of Arts in recognition of my work in the youth theatre sector. I am passionate about helping performers take their first professional steps, kickstarting careers and forging critical industry networking opportunities. Because the world is not always fair, and the Arts world is rarely equitable: it is a particular passion of mine to ‘make things happen’ for people who would otherwise have no agency within the creative sector. I strongly believe that inclusivity and diversity should be woven into the fabric of all that we do so that we can continue to be the gold standard for all of those who trust us with their hopes, anxieties, and dreams.
Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees
Fional McLean-Buechel
Fiona hails from a musical family with strong connections to the Federation of Festivals. Her father was a music critic and her mother was a professional concert pianist; the official accompanist for Ayrshire Music Festival for many years.
Fiona had her first festival experience participating in the Glasgow Music Festival. She was so enthused by the positive, constructive feedback from the adjudicator, she told her parents she was going to be an adjudicator one day… and here we are! Fiona is currently the Scottish Representative for Festivals' Council.
A founding member of NYOS and an alumnus of St Mary's Music School, Fiona studied at the Royal Scottish Academy in Glasgow and the Royal Academy of Music in London. On leaving the RAM, she embarked on a highly successful career as a performer and educator, giving recitals in the Purcell Room, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, concerto engagements across Europe and piano trio performances for the British Arts Council with tours to Russia and Ukraine.
Fiona is currently a lecturer in violin for the RCS Junior Department and the RCS King's Foundation Project at Dumfries House. She is a guest faculty member of the London Suzuki Group International Summer School, where she delivers masterclasses to advanced international students. She recently stepped down from her role as Lead Tutor for Strings at Trinity Laban Junior Conservatoire.
Fiona is absolutely committed to empowering others to get the most out of their music making, and offers sessions in musical mindfulness to individuals experiencing performance anxiety. Fiona also facilitates musical mindfulness workshops for festivals.
Fiona's approach to workshop leadership is collaborative and inclusive, working with national and international partners to deliver the best opportunities possible for emerging musical talent, and she brings this vision to her role as trustee.
Chris Blurton
Chris was musical from a young age and was inspired to play the piano by his piano-playing grandfather whose own father had studied with Elgar. Chris also enjoys drama and played the title role in Oliver! for his local dramatic society at the age of 10. Some 30 years later he will perform again as Mr Sowerberry, with his 8-year-old daughter being part of the workhouse gang.
Chris gained a BSc Hons in Psychology from the University of Plymouth before training as a primary teacher at the University of Exeter. As a teacher Chris has taught both at home and internationally in the Middle East and in USA. His background in psychology has led him into an interest in how the arts can be used for therapy and the psychology of performance.
Chris first became involved with the festival movement playing the piano at the Torbay festival at the age of 5. Some years later he returned with his own pupils and quickly joined the organising committee. Chris is now Vice-Chair of the executive committee of the festival, and this has given him an appreciation of all the disciplines within the festival movement. In the summer of 2023 Chris set up a music school with his sister. The school aims to encourage the next generation of instrument and singing teachers to spread the love of music and performing.
Honorary Treasurer and Member of the Board of Trustees
John Logan
John’s links to the festival movement began first as a parent, later managing the finances of his wife’s dance school, and subsequently as a member, and Secretary, of his local festival committee; where he gained experience in the organisation and running of festivals. Since January 2013 he has been a member of the Board of Trustees, and was elected Honorary Treasurer in October 2014.
His background in the finance and banking sector provides a further dimension to the range of skills that exist within the Board of Trustees. Following early retirement from work he maintains a keen interest in the voluntary sector, and in addition to his work with the Federation he acts as a volunteer advocate for local charities.
Members of the Board of Trustees
Jill Wright
Jill is a retired teacher, working latterly in a secondary school with students with special needs and more particularly those with behavioural problems. She became involved with the Skipton Musical Festival some twelve or fifteen years ago, having been captivated by the Senior Recital class. She is not a professional musician, although an experienced singer. She became Secretary of the Festival in 2012 – mainly because she’s a good organiser! Attending her Regional Forum and becoming a Regional Representative has been a real pleasure – as has watching young musicians grow and mature. She enjoys reading and keeping up with five grandchildren.
Annette Brown (International Member)
After dabbling in acting and singing classes, including as an entrant of Sydney Eisteddfod at the age of 15, Annette Brown continues to have a distinguished professional career in the Australian performing arts.
Annette is passionate about creating opportunities and education pathways for young creative Australians and brings that commitment to the Board of Trustees. Her experience includes roles with Willoughby Symphony Orchestra, Australian Music Examinations Board, Sydney Conservatorium High School, Moorambilla Voices, Australian Youth Orchestra, Music Teachers Association of NSW, Sydney Youth Orchestra, Canberra Symphony Orchestra and Pacific Opera.
Annette was formerly the General Manager and then the CEO of the Sydney Eisteddfod, the largest festival in the Southern Hemisphere, presenting over 350 events each year with up to 28,000 young Australians taking part. She is excited to join the Federation with her vision that includes extending international collaboration opportunities, networking, pathways and scholarships for young artists’ career development.
Verity Williams
Verity is a qualified accountant and senior leader who has worked in a number of organisations in the corporate and charity sectors. She is currently the Director of Finance and Resources for the Charity for Civil Servants where she joined in 2023.
Verity danced herself as a young person and now attends various festivals with her daughter whose ambition is to be dancer. Verity is extremely passionate about the performing arts and so brings her financial expertise and leadership skills to the Federation.
Neill Oldham
Neill trained as a pianist and clarinettist at Bretton Hall College, University of Leeds, before post-graduate studies at Durham University.
In his early career, Neill was Director of Music & Head of Expressive Arts in a Northwest Arts College for more than 10 years, then Director of Student Services in a large secondary school, where he led the Pastoral Team and was the designated safeguarding lead.
Neill has directed many instrumental ensembles and choirs and run foreign tours.
Following a highly successful career in music education, Neill trained as a SENDCo and Special Needs advisor and became Headteacher of a school for students with profound and multiple learning needs. In his time as Headteacher, the school was presented with the prestigious award of the UK's Best School (all categories).
Neill is now the CEO of a Multi-Academy Trust of schools and volunteers with local charities for music, festivals and special needs activities. Neill has grown up through the festival movement, competing in piano, voice and woodwind classes as a young musician, and then as a committee member of two large festivals.
Damien Anyasi
Damien Anyasi has enjoyed more than 20 years in the dance education industry and has acquired a reputation for being one of the UK's most celebrated dance teachers.
He is the Host and Judge at Move It! Freestyle stage and currently lectures at the Trinity Laban Dance Conservatoire. Damien is the Founder of The Waacktitioners the UK's first Waacking crew.
Graduating from the London Music School in 2001, Damien promotes connection to, and reflection of, sound in his classes, and encourages self-expression. Performances include Brit Awards and principal dancer with London's Big Dance Bus tour, while choreographic credits include The National Theatre and London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony. Damien's commitment to educating others earned him UK Dance Teacher of the Year (2014) as voted by Dance Today magazine. He has also headlined as a teacher for Unidance resulting in a 5 year tour of Russia, Azerbaijan and Ukraine. As director of B-Better dance education company, Damien teaches many demographics and lists American School in London, Royal Academy of Dance and British Heart Foundation as former residencies.
Currently, major initiatives include 'Battle for The Badge', an inter-schools dance competition and championing clearer, consistent judging practices across all forms of competitive dance.
Priscilla Morris
Priscilla became involved in the festival movement in the early 1970’s when she began entering students from her drama school at the Nuneaton Festival of Arts. She supported this local festival for the next 40 years until her daughter took over the mantle in 2013.
She trained at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and was a member of the LAMDA examining board for 34 years, which enabled her to travel worldwide. In 2021 Priscilla will reach her 30th year as a Speech and Drama adjudicator for the British and International Federation of Festivals, for whom she has worked throughout the UK and Ireland, Bermuda, Sri Lanka and Hong Kong.
In 1996 her book “Introducing Shakespeare to Young People” was published by Oberon books. She currently has three books of duologues with Methuen and publication is expected in 2022. Alongside her teaching, Priscilla has acted in and directed over 40 plays and pantomimes and since 2013 she has been a guest speaker on P&O Cruises where she lectures on performance in Literature and Theatre.
Priscilla had a change of direction in 2000 when her business voice coaching company Loud & Clear was founded. This introduced her to marketing, networking and social media and she hopes to bring her knowledge of this to the Board of Trustees, which she joined in early 2021.
She has also reconnected with the Nuneaton Festival of Arts and has become a member of the committee for the Speech and Drama section. Priscilla is honoured to be helping an organisation, which has been part of her whole working life, to move forward into its second century.