MEET THE TEAM
CAROLYN DOORBAR
Co-Founder & Musical Director
Carolyn is our Musical Director and conducts all of our productions, as well as running rehearsals. She helps our chorus and soloists learn the opera, and brings the music to life with our orchestra. She is also one of our co-founders, and has been part of Wedmore Opera since 1988. She loves working with young people, and is glad to know that the future of WO is in safe hands.
ANNE RICHARDS
Backstage, Administration & Trustee
Anne is an integral member of the Production Team and a legend backstage. She ensures our live events run smoothly and that everyone is where they are supposed to be. As a Trustee she coordinates communication with members and supporters and is a whizz with a spreadsheet.
DENIS JONES
Treasurer & Trustee
Denis loves watching our productions but he has usually had a hand in building the set too.
He is a Trustee and the Treasurer of Wedmore Opera. This includes working with the production team to set and manage the budget, keeping the books and preparing end of year accounts.
PHYLLIDA SHAW
Odd-Jobber & Trustee
Phyllida can usually be found serving behind the bar during the interval, washing up or wielding a broom. As a Trustee she enjoys being part of a small, creative, community-focused organisation and identifying ways to be better at what we do.
HAZEL ANSTEY
Company Secretary & Trustee
Hazel sings soprano in the Wedmore Opera chorus, as well as helping with the more practical and logistical side of our productions. She is also a Trustee and acts as the Company Secretary.
JUDITH BLAKE
Producer & Trustee
Judith is our Producer and is responsible for making sure our productions both happen and run as smoothly as possible. She has sung with the chorus since Trial By Jury in 2010. Since then, she has been integral to making both our operas and fundraisers happen. She is also a Trustee.
NEIL BLAKE
Chair of Trustees
Neil sings tenor in the chorus. He feels most at home in costume, on stage, singing to an audience that beams back. As Chair of Wedmore Opera’s Board, he helps to ensure we deliver on our purpose of furthering the arts in rural Somerset and providing opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds.
JO LEWIS
Orchestra Manager (& Cellist)
Jo plays cello for Wedmore Opera and books the other professional musicians who make up the orchestra for each production. She is a key member of the Production Team, helping to plan and deliver our programme.
MARILYN JOHNSTONE
Founding Artistic Director
Marilyn is one of the founders of Wedmore Opera and, before stepping down in 2018, has directed all but two of our productions. It was Marilyn who, with Carolyn and other members of the team, commissioned both Jago and Eleanor Vale. Wedmore Opera wouldn't be Wedmore Opera without Marilyn's tireless work in getting the company off the ground.