Creating a brand new piece of music theatre in just one week.

Christopher is a composer, arranger, orchestrator, audio producer and educational author. He studied composition at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and at the University of Cambridge, and his original music includes orchestral concert pieces, choral music, jazz scores, theatre music and works for children and amateur musicians. His work has been performed at venues including the Barbican Centre, Purcell Room, St. John’s Smith Square and Wigmore Hall. His choral work Dreamtide was shortlisted by BASCA in the British Composer Awards in 2012, and in 2015, two of his concert pieces for woodwind orchestra were released on the contemporary classical music album, Twisted Skyscape, performed by the Czech Philharmonic Wind Ensemble. As an orchestrator, Christopher has worked on musical theatre scores and orchestral scores for TV, and his work as an arranger includes over 400 sheet music publications and recordings (ranging from choral pop scores to classical piano albums), big band arrangements and a concert suite of the Oscar-winning film score from ‘Atonement’ for its composer Dario Marianelli. Having lived in Horsham for over 13 years, he very much enjoys opportunities to work with local music-makers, including Zoë Peate’s choir, Cantatrice, and the Build an Opera children’s summer school at Chesworth Farm (2013/14) with opera singer Mark Bradbury. In 2013, he was commissioned by West Sussex Music and Ardingly College to contribute three songs to Songs for Now and Then for choir and orchestra/piano. This set of songs received multiple performances throughout the county, including performances at Ardingly College, Chichester Cathedral and the orchestral premiere by the West Sussex County Youth Orchestra and massed schools choir in Worthing (January 2014), and received its London premiere by the New London Children’s Choir, conducted by Ronald Corp OBE in March 2014. christopherhussey.co.uk

Anna Caunter is a local artist and art teacher with “Art 4 All”. She started her life in art, working as a scenic artist at Plymouth theatre Royal, painting many a set destined for both West End and primary UK tours. When she gained a place at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic art, Anna supplemented her bursary by continuing to paint sets in and around London. Anna continued to work on many West End productions over the next 11 years until finally moving out of London to have a family in sunny Horsham! It was whilst living in Horsham, Anna started to paint more canvas pieces. Anna worked at Windlesham House Prep School where she discovered a love of teaching! This love caused her to set up Art 4 All. Anna is very excited to be working on Build an Opera for her third year. To find out more about Art 4 All call: 07970271075 annacaunterfineart.co.uk

We are thrilled to welcome actor/ musician, Katy Ellis onto the team for Build an Opera 2017. Katy is going into her third year at Guildford School of Acting on the Actor Musician course. She is training as a violinist, singer, actor and dancer. Some of her roles both prior to and during her training have included the lead role of Klara in the GSA production of Frank Wedekind’s play, Musik, Biondello in Taming of the Shrew, Grusha in The Caucasian Chalk Circle, Christine in Phantom of the Opera and Adelaide in Guys and Dolls.