Current Team
Director – Rhian Holdsworth
Rhian will be Director for our 2026 Production (show to be announced).
Rhian has a wealth of experience in Musical Theatre both as a performer, teacher and Director. Having been a member of The National Youth Theatre of Wales, the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain and the West Glamorgan Youth Theatre Company, Rhian trained professionally before returning to her native South Wales where she has taught in Stanwell School in Penarth and at Gower College, both of which have excellent reputations in the Performing Arts.
Rhian has many years experience in managing and directing large scale, successful productions and we are confident that she will bring her own vision to our Company.
Musical Director – Bridget Radford
Bridget trained at The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Classical singing with Beatrix Unsworth and also received coaching sessions in Musical Theatre with Mary Hammond. She has been a singing teacher and vocal coach for over twenty years and is also the Musical Director of Cor Lleisiau Hardd a mixed choir based in Llanelli. Bridget runs Seren Performing Arts which is a performing arts school based at Theatr Y Ffwrnes.
Her involvement with Carmarthen Youth Opera started in 1985 as a performer and then in more recent years as part of the production team. In 2016 Bridget was Musical Director for Whistle Down the Wind and then returned in 2020 for My Fair Lady followed by Grease (2022), Shrek (2023) and Our House (2024). Bridget feels very privileged to MD such a prestigious Youth Company.
Choreographer – Rachel Saddler
Rachel began dancing at the Gwen Wilkin School for premiere Danseurs. At the age of 17 she moved to Wales to train and after graduating taught at Cardigan School of Dancing. She now runs her own school, Steps Starlets, where she teaches Cheerleading, Pom Dance, Hip Hop Jazz and Tumble, and competes both Nationally and Internationally. She also choreographs and is wardrobe mistress for Forge Drama.
Rachel joined the Youth Opera in 2007 with her children Millie and Henry and has never looked back, either choreographing or in wardrobe and enjoying being part of the Youth Opera family.
After working in QE High School for 16 years she returned to university to fulfil her ambition of become a social worker.
Rachel enjoys nothing better than building children’s confidence, seeing them blossom whether it is for a performance or life.
Past Directors
Daniel Rhys Williams 2018-2025
Steve Elias 2014-2017
Adrian Rowlands 2005-2013
Elizabeth Evans MBE 1979-2004
Past Musical Directors
Gareth Kirby 2017-2019
Bridget Radford – 2016
Gareth Kirby 2009-2015
Hywel Benjamin 2001-2008
Edward John 1998-2000
Christopher Broome – 1997
John Morgan 1988-1996
Enfys David-Jones/Williams 1984-1987
David Lloyd Davies 1982-1983
Ian Thomas – 1981
Paul Thomas 1979-1980
Past Choreographers/Dance Repetiteurs
Hannah La Trobe – 2018
Rachel Saddler 2009 – 2014
Llinos McCarthy – 2005
Joanne Morris 2005-2014
Jayne Randall 1997
Michael Wray 1990, 1992-1993
Helen Croker/Hughes 1982-1991, 1998-2008
Elizabeth Evans 1979-1981
Previous Repetiteurs/Accompanists
Zara Preece 2022-2024
Hazel Thorogood 1988-1996, 2004-2014, 2019-2021
Jessica Bowen 2013-2016
Sarah Thomas/Kirby 2013-2018
Roger Hart 2000-2005
Calvin Price – 1986
David Poulter 1984-1985, 1987, 1990, 1994-1995,1997-1999
Stephen P Rees – 1982
Ian Jones – 1981
Ian Thomas – 1980
Mair Cooper – 1980