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Janet Waggott
Choir President
Janet is very proud and honoured to have been appointed as the President of the York Philharmonic Male Voice choir in October 2021.
Janet has been associated and involved with the choir for most of her life. The YPMVC is absolutely rooted in her family and very special and important to her.
One of my earliest memories of the choir dates back to watching Carols in Kirkgate at Christmas on her first colour television! Janet is very happy to be involved in all aspects of the choir as it is an extremely talented and happy musical and supportive community .
Rob Askew
Choir Chairman
Rob became Chairman at the September 2025 AGM.
"I joined the Phil in January 2019 after the community choir I sang bass in was disbanded and I was looking online for an alternative. My grandma had always waxed lyrical about the Treorchy Male Voice Choir and the unique sound it produced (other male voice choirs are available). To find one on my doorstep was like discovering that long-lost mystical country we long for. I had sung as a chorister in the local parish church and afterwards only in scratch choirs and at family events. However, I was fortunate to be taught classical guitar for six years in my teens by Alan Edwards. Alan was the resident guitarist at the BBC studios in Pebble Mill, Birmingham and gave me a thorough musical grounding which has been a life-line ever since. However since joining the Phil I have had to properly get to grips with the bass clef!
It is an honour, privilege and challenge to take up the role of chairman of the choir which has a long and illustrious history. My predecessor, Mike Wash, handed over the reins of a thriving, high-performing community of singers. I hope to do the same when the time comes".
Berenice Lewis
Musical Director
Berenice Lewis grew up in Leicester where she studied piano and organ with Howard Gregory and sang with the Leicestershire Youth Choir. She came to Yorkshire in 1989 to study at York University.
During her student years Berry became involved in various groups as pianist, conductor and singer. As Musical Director of the University’s Gilbert & Sullivan Society, she directed large-scale productions of Princess Ida and Ruddigore, and performed in many other shows. Whilst working for her degree, Berry also made time to coach singers, teach the piano and act as regular répétiteur for the York Musical Theatre Company and York Opera. While still a student she was organist at St Deny’s Church, Walmgate, and later at York’s Central Methodist Church
Berry began working with 'The Phil in 1998 and took up the post of Musical Director in 2000. She now lives in Beverley, East Yorkshire, where she is Director of Music at St. Mary's church and teaches singing and piano.
Emi Bels
Deputy Musical Director
Emilie Bels (Emi) grew up in Belgium, singing in various choirs including La Choraline, the girls’ choir of the Brussels Opera House.
Upon moving to Hull to study in 2016, she became a Choral Scholar at Hull Minster choir and started a choir at the first school she taught at.
Her current position as Schools Singing Lead at York Minster perfectly marries her BA Youth Work, MMus, and teaching qualifications.
Helen Smith
Accompanist
Helen Smith joined 'The Phil' in February 2019, along with her husband, Rob, who now sings in the bass section.
Helen is currently accompanist to Jubilate Ladies Choir in Easingwold as well as Assistant Musical Director of Dynamics Community Band based in Huntington. She was previously Musical Director of Musicality Vocal Ensemble and accompanist to the Lincoln Orpheus Male Voice Choir.
Helen is one of the team of pianists who play at Castle Howard, and she plays regularly for various events in Easingwold and the local area.
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