MEET US!
Our CEO
Philippa Poulton Smith was educated in South Wales. At a young age she won scholarships to study singing at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and also to the Royal Academy of Music, where she studied opera as a post-graduate. For some years she sang professionally as a mezzo- soprano, performing frequently with regional opera companies and also in concert halls throughout the country.
Since graduating she has had a passion for teaching and has taught extensively in private practice, at schools and at colleges, covering a wide range of ages, abilities and genres.
During her career she has worked creatively with adults with special needs, written and devised education projects for schools and given masterclasses in educational establishments. Many of her past pupils have gained places to study singing at universities and conservatoires and some are now singing professionally.
As well as co parenting their children, Tom and Will, she also coached Rob.
Philippa is now the CEO of the Robert Poulton Foundation and takes great pride in leading its two current projects, which very conveniently combine her professional expertise with her dedication to Rob’s memory.
Musical Director
Martin Neill studied piano and voice at the University Of Surrey before becoming a lecturer in Keyboard Harmony at the same university. Following work as a singer in several early music choirs in Cambridge and London, Martin moved to Cardiff to take up a post as Lay Clerk at St David’s Metropolitan Cathedral, and it was at the choir school that he discovered a passion for teaching music to primary school children.
After completing a PGCE, Martin went on to work in primary schools for 20 years, leading music and singing, and composing hundreds of songs for shows and concerts.
Martin now works as a freelance composer and musician. His songs are now published by Starshine Music and Chichester Music Press. Martin has won many composition competitions at home and abroad. These include first prize in the St Mary-At-Hill Carol Competition in 2015, as well as competitions which have seen his winning compositions performed in New York, Edinburgh, Romania and the Czech Republic. The Manchester Chorale will be performing Martin’s ‘Sing for Joy’ in June 2020.
Martin is excited to be able to bring all his creative talents together for Sing it!
