Production Team

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