Conducting scholarship – Ilkley Choral Society

Each year we aim to help young musicians by appointing conducting or singing scholarships. This year we have appointed Hannah Thomson as a Conducting Scholar to assist with weekly rehearsals and concerts in the 2025/26 season.

Hannah studied Music and completed her PGCE at Durham University and is currently teaching at Lindley Junior School. She is an alumna of the Opera North Youth Chorus and performed various principal roles with Durham Opera Ensemble and Leeds Youth Opera. In more recent years, Hannah has performed with Wakefield Youth Theatre, Diva Productions, and Harrogate Phoenix Players.

Hannah has also enjoyed being on a number of creative teams – she was Producer for The Enchanted Pig (Leeds Youth Opera) and is the current Musical Director of the award-winning Lindley Junior School Choir. Hannah also successfully took on the role of Musical Director for Harrogate Operatic Society’s centenary concert, as well as Rabbit Head Productions’ workshop performance of ‘Arabella and Other Stories’.

Hannah is thrilled to be Ilkley Choral Society’s conducting scholar where she has been able to develop her technique and work with a supportive and enthusiastic group of singers and musicians.