Our Music Team

Headed up by the chorus’ Musical Director, John Palmer, the Music Team is made up of very experienced and seasoned singers, who help plan the future of the chorus, its goals, aims and also to help choose the music we sing.

Each section within the chorus has a leader who attends Music Team meetings. Their job is to guide and assist the members with learning music, and every few months they will hold a section rehearsal. In addition, the Music Team have a skilled Choreographer, who plans and teach movements that are necessary to enhance a song. After all, we are not a choir who stands still – we like to make the most of the visual aspect.

We also have a Deputy Director who steps in and directs the chorus during rehearsals or coaching sessions as well as to offer expertise.

Meet our Musical Director

More about Spinnaker Chorus

Cathy Cuell

Bass Section Leader

Cathy began singing and learning to play the guitar and flute at school.
She joined the Pitchpipers in 2001 with her sister and got hooked on barbershop singing. She originally sang Lead and then moved to Baritone and became section leader. She also played her flute at concerts and weddings. In 2008 she was a founding member of Spirit of the South and started singing Bass alongside her mum. She joined Spinnaker in 2018 when looking for a new challenge.
Cathy’s favourite song from the repertoire is One Day Like This. “The first time I heard Spinnaker sing it,” she says, “it gave me tingles, and I love the arrangement”.
Cathy works in a specialist vet referrals centre. She loves spending time in her garden encouraging birds, bees, and butterflies. She enjoys walking, reading, playing the piano and guitar and spending time with her family and two cats.

Colleen Potter

Joint Bass Section Leader

Colleen helps run our Bass Section with Cathy and they make an excellent team working together to ensure the Bass Section is one to be reckoned with. Colleen’s profile can be viewed on the Spinnaker Board page as she is our Vice Chair too! Give a busy lady a job…

Mary Quinn

Tenor Section Leader

Mary started singing at school and later joined The Philbeach Society in London, performing in a variety of shows and Old Time Music Hall concerts. She discovered Barbershop singing in 2009, initially with The Pitchpipers and then, while living in Sydney, Australia, she joined Northern Beaches Chorus. Quite by chance Mary met a Spinnakerette visiting family in Australia at a rehearsal who encouraged her to join Spinnaker Chorus on her return to the UK. She’s been singing Tenor with Spinnaker since 2015 and says that her favourite repertoire song is When I Fall in Love, “a gentle, emotional love song with beautiful harmonies.” When she’s not singing, Mary enjoys cycling, tennis and Pilates, together with good food and wine and spending time with family and friends.

Nicky Best

Deputy Tenor Section Leader & Rehearsal Manager

Music started early in Nicky’s life. Her musician father was a drummer and as a young child she would go with him to venues to set up his kit. She loved the atmosphere of the stage (and still does). Music moved her family from Scotland to the South of England and Nicky started singing Barbershop in 1997. From 2004 she was also a member of the Southdowns Musical Society for eight years. Spinnaker is the fourth Barbershop chorus that Nicky’s sung with over 25 years. “I just love the team spirit and compassion we have for each other,” she says, “and being part of such an inspirational chorus.” When Nicky’s not singing she loves to spend precious time with her five year old grand-daughter.

Julia Wallis

Lead Section Leader

Julia began singing at a young age appearing in school productions such as Sweeney Todd and Carousel, as well as performing on the Rolf Harris show when she was just 10 years old. At 14 she was the youngest member of the Milton Glee Club but left after 12 years to bring up her family. Julia was introduced to barbershop in 2002 after an early morning encounter with the late Lucinda Rogers-Belk, who she caught wearing crazy nail varnish on her way to barbershop convention. Julia’s favourite song from the repertoire is ‘You’re so vain’ by Carly Simon. When she’s not singing Julia enjoys watching period dramas, reading about Henry VIII and the Plantagenet’s and revamping furniture.

Karen Hewson

Deputy Lead Section Leader

Karen started singing and dancing in school musical productions as a child in London. Then as a teenager she enjoyed singing jazz with the huge Brent Schools’ Choir. Karen was introduced to Spinnaker by a friend in 2011 “when I first heard Spinnaker sing their close harmonies at their rehearsal it was literally life changing, I had to join them. The enormous bond of friendship within Spinnaker is so important to me as is the emotional experience and excitement of glamorous costumes, performing and competing, winning medals and trophies.” Karen also enjoys classical singing as first Alto with Portsmouth Choral Union, visiting family around the world, boating, motor biking and helping to care for her beautiful new granddaughter, Lilly.

Liz Taylor

Deputy Musical Director & Baritone Section Leader

Liz grew up in a musical family and enjoyed singing in choirs when she was at school. More recently she met a member of Spinnaker who invited her along to a rehearsal evening, and Liz quickly got the bug for barbershop singing. She joined the chorus in January 2014 and sings in the Baritone section. “I can’t get enough of singing with Spinnaker,” Liz enthuses. “If I have to miss a rehearsal it leaves a huge gap. So I do everything I can to get there each week, and I always go home on a real high.” When Liz is not singing she likes to spend time with her husband Tom and going to the theatre, especially to see musical productions.

Katrina Miller

Resident Performance Coach

Kat has always loved to dance. She trained at the King Richard School before gaining her honours degree in Dance Studies at Roehampton University and her Qualified Teacher Status at Chichester University. She was Dance Captain for the Portchester Players aswell as a Session One dancer for Distraction Dance Company. Kat has danced on many famous stages including Disneyland Paris, The New Theatre Royal, Drury Lane for Children in Need, aswell as being part of StopGap Dance Company in The Seafarers. She is currently Head of Dance at Castle View Academy and also runs her own dance company Dare 2 Dance, teaching pupils aged 2 to 82! She enjoys spending her spare time with her little boy Charlie-Jax.