Rebecca Ledgard: Director of Education and Participation
Rebecca started working for Ex Cathedra as Education Coordinator in 2000 and has sung in the choir since 1997. Her role developed into Director of Education and Participation and she leads a 20 strong team of wonderful musicians who together create and deliver the award-winning projects in schools, communities and hospitals.
She is passionate about the potential and importance of singing as part of the daily life of schools, families, and communities, particularly with regards to communication and community, development and learning, and wellbeing.
Under Rebecca’s leadership, the E&P staff + music practitioner team has created highly regarded projects and led events across the UK and internationally, winning awards for their work in schools and hospitals, including Outstanding Contribution to the Field of Arts in Health from the Royal Society for Public Health. As well as working alongside the team on all the E&P projects she loves working with the young singers in Ex Cathedra’s Academy of Vocal Music.
Rebecca started her career as a primary school teacher, and for many years worked for Birmingham Music Service, enjoying visiting and belonging to many schools across the city. She has a degree in music education, a postgraduate diploma in singing, and was bestowed with Honorary Membership of Royal Birmingham Conservatoire for services to music education.
Gemma King: Education and Participation Manager
Gemma joined Ex Cathedra as a singer in 2003 whilst studying at Birmingham Conservatoire. She graduated with a First Class Honours Degree from the vocal studies department in 2006. She later joined the Ex Cathedra Education and Participation team as a vocal tutor, working on Singing Medicine and Singing Playgrounds projects. In January 2020, she became the Education and Participation Coordinator and then became Manager in August 2021.
Gemma is a qualified Secondary Music Teacher and helped to create the Ex Cathedra ChoirMaker Project, which was awarded Outstanding Music Education Resource in the 2024 Music Education Awards in London. Although Gemma now works extensively for Ex Cathedra, her previous endeavours have included Assistant Director of Music at St Laurence’s Parish Church in Ludlow, conductor of Ludlow Male Voice Choir, vocal teacher. Gemma also works as a professional singer, both in the choral world and as a soloist, most recently performing with Chamber Choir Ireland, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment as well as soloist for choral societies in Shropshire where she lives. Gemma regularly runs singing for wellbeing workshops in her local community.