MEET THE TEAM
MARYLIN JOHNSTONE
Co-founder
Marylin co-founded Wedmore Opera in 1988. Until 2023, when she directed The Marriage of Figaro, she directed almost every production, including two commissioned operas set in Somerset, Jago by Kate and Mike Westbrook and Eleanor Vale by John Barber.
RICHARD KILBURN
Trustee and chorus member
Richard started as a member of Wedmore Opera's audience, progressed to volunteering for front of house duties and eventually joined the chorus, where he sings first bass. He is passionate about music of most kinds and enthusiastic about Wedmore Opera continuing to work to its founding principles of producing exceptional opera in a village setting. He became a Trustee in 2024.
JO LEWIS
Orchestral manager
Jo studied cello with Anthony Lewis of the Medici String Quartet while a student at Kingston University. For many years she was a session musician working with, among others, Divine Comedy, John Martyn and Claire Martin. She lives in Wedmore and has a busy career as a performer and teacher.
HAZEL ANSTEY
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 a Trustee and Company Secretary.
PHYLLIDA SHAW
Trustee
Phyllida came to live in Wedmore in 2010 and has been involved with Wedmore Opera ever since. In her day job she is a researcher and writer in the cultural sector. For Wedmore Opera you can usually find her putting out traffic cones or serving behind the bar.
ANJA DE PREE
Anja arrived in Wedmore with her family in 2020, after 18 years in Hong Kong. Her love of opera began while studying Russian at university. This included several months living in Moscow, where a local friend introduced her to opera and ballet at the Bolshoi Theatre. She was fascinated by the combination of voices, orchestra, acting, sets and costumes and has loved opera ever since. She was excited to discover Wedmore Opera and she became a Trustee in 2024.
Trustee
SALLY HESLOP
Sally moved to Wedmore in 2022, sang soprano in the chorus of The Marriage of Figaro in 2023 and became a Trustee in 2024. She enjoys singing and project management in equal measure and is looking forward to working with the rest of the team on future productions. Sally has produced Wedmore Opera's summer concert, Beautiful Voices.
Trustee
DENIS JONES
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.
Trustee
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MARYLIN JOHNSTONE
Marylin is one of the founders of Wedmore Opera and has directed all but two of our productions. It was Marylin who, with Carolyn and other members of the team, commissioned both Jago and Eleanor Vale. Wedmore Opera wouldn't be Wedmore Opera without Marylin's tireless work in getting the company off the ground.
MARYLIN JOHNSTONE
Marylin is one of the founders of Wedmore Opera and has directed all but two of our productions. It was Marylin who, with Carolyn and other members of the team, commissioned both Jago and Eleanor Vale. Wedmore Opera wouldn't be Wedmore Opera without Marylin's tireless work in getting the company off the ground.
MARYLIN JOHNSTONE
Marylin is one of the founders of Wedmore Opera and has directed all but two of our productions. It was Marylin who, with Carolyn and other members of the team, commissioned both Jago and Eleanor Vale. Wedmore Opera wouldn't be Wedmore Opera without Marylin's tireless work in getting the company off the ground.
MARYLIN JOHNSTONE
Marylin is one of the founders of Wedmore Opera and has directed all but two of our productions. It was Marylin who, with Carolyn and other members of the team, commissioned both Jago and Eleanor Vale. Wedmore Opera wouldn't be Wedmore Opera without Marylin's tireless work in getting the company off the ground.
MARYLIN JOHNSTONE
Marylin is one of the founders of Wedmore Opera and has directed all but two of our productions. It was Marylin who, with Carolyn and other members of the team, commissioned both Jago and Eleanor Vale. Wedmore Opera wouldn't be Wedmore Opera without Marylin's tireless work in getting the company off the ground.
MARYLIN JOHNSTONE
Marylin is one of the founders of Wedmore Opera and has directed all but two of our productions. It was Marylin who, with Carolyn and other members of the team, commissioned both Jago and Eleanor Vale. Wedmore Opera wouldn't be Wedmore Opera without Marylin's tireless work in getting the company off the ground.
MARYLIN JOHNSTONE
Marylin is one of the founders of Wedmore Opera and has directed all but two of our productions. It was Marylin who, with Carolyn and other members of the team, commissioned both Jago and Eleanor Vale. Wedmore Opera wouldn't be Wedmore Opera without Marylin's tireless work in getting the company off the ground.
MARYLIN JOHNSTONE
Marylin is one of the founders of Wedmore Opera and has directed all but two of our productions. It was Marylin who, with Carolyn and other members of the team, commissioned both Jago and Eleanor Vale. Wedmore Opera wouldn't be Wedmore Opera without Marylin's tireless work in getting the company off the ground.
MARYLIN JOHNSTONE
Marylin is one of the founders of Wedmore Opera and has directed all but two of our productions. It was Marylin who, with Carolyn and other members of the team, commissioned both Jago and Eleanor Vale. Wedmore Opera wouldn't be Wedmore Opera without Marylin's tireless work in getting the company off the ground.
MARYLIN JOHNSTONE
Marylin is one of the founders of Wedmore Opera and has directed all but two of our productions. It was Marylin who, with Carolyn and other members of the team, commissioned both Jago and Eleanor Vale. Wedmore Opera wouldn't be Wedmore Opera without Marylin's tireless work in getting the company off the ground.
MARYLIN JOHNSTONE
Marylin is one of the founders of Wedmore Opera and has directed all but two of our productions. It was Marylin who, with Carolyn and other members of the team, commissioned both Jago and Eleanor Vale. Wedmore Opera wouldn't be Wedmore Opera without Marylin's tireless work in getting the company off the ground.
MARYLIN JOHNSTONE
Marylin is one of the founders of Wedmore Opera and has directed all but two of our productions. It was Marylin who, with Carolyn and other members of the team, commissioned both Jago and Eleanor Vale. Wedmore Opera wouldn't be Wedmore Opera without Marylin's tireless work in getting the company off the ground.
MARYLIN JOHNSTONE
Marylin is one of the founders of Wedmore Opera and has directed all but two of our productions. It was Marylin who, with Carolyn and other members of the team, commissioned both Jago and Eleanor Vale. Wedmore Opera wouldn't be Wedmore Opera without Marylin's tireless work in getting the company off the ground.
MARYLIN JOHNSTONE
Marylin is one of the founders of Wedmore Opera and has directed all but two of our productions. It was Marylin who, with Carolyn and other members of the team, commissioned both Jago and Eleanor Vale. Wedmore Opera wouldn't be Wedmore Opera without Marylin's tireless work in getting the company off the ground.
MARYLIN JOHNSTONE
Marylin is one of the founders of Wedmore Opera and has directed all but two of our productions. It was Marylin who, with Carolyn and other members of the team, commissioned both Jago and Eleanor Vale. Wedmore Opera wouldn't be Wedmore Opera without Marylin's tireless work in getting the company off the ground.
MARYLIN JOHNSTONE
Marylin is one of the founders of Wedmore Opera and has directed all but two of our productions. It was Marylin who, with Carolyn and other members of the team, commissioned both Jago and Eleanor Vale. Wedmore Opera wouldn't be Wedmore Opera without Marylin's tireless work in getting the company off the ground.
MARYLIN JOHNSTONE
Marylin is one of the founders of Wedmore Opera and has directed all but two of our productions. It was Marylin who, with Carolyn and other members of the team, commissioned both Jago and Eleanor Vale. Wedmore Opera wouldn't be Wedmore Opera without Marylin's tireless work in getting the company off the ground.
MARYLIN JOHNSTONE
Marylin is one of the founders of Wedmore Opera and has directed all but two of our productions. It was Marylin who, with Carolyn and other members of the team, commissioned both Jago and Eleanor Vale. Wedmore Opera wouldn't be Wedmore Opera without Marylin's tireless work in getting the company off the ground.
MARYLIN JOHNSTONE
Marylin is one of the founders of Wedmore Opera and has directed all but two of our productions. It was Marylin who, with Carolyn and other members of the team, commissioned both Jago and Eleanor Vale. Wedmore Opera wouldn't be Wedmore Opera without Marylin's tireless work in getting the company off the ground.
RICHARD KILBURN
Marylin is one of the founders of Wedmore Opera and has directed all but two of our productions. It was Marylin who, with Carolyn and other members of the team, commissioned both Jago and Eleanor Vale. Wedmore Opera wouldn't be Wedmore Opera without Marylin's tireless work in getting the company off the ground.
JO LEWIS
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.
PHYLLIDA SHAW
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.
ANNE RICHARDS
Anne was designer of The Marriage of Figaro, an integral member of the Production Team and a legend backstage. She was a Trustee of Wedmore Opera until 2023.