Alumni

Carlos Rodríguez Otero
Carlos Rodríguez Otero spent three very happy years (2014–17) at the Bristol Pre-Conservatoire as a violinist and pianist, gaining valuable orchestral and chamber music experience. Born in Santiago de Compostela and raised in Bristol, he went on to read Music at Queens’ College, Cambridge, where he was a choral scholar, later singing as a Tenor Lay Clerk at St John’s College. Since 2024, Carlos has been Director of Music at St Edmund Hall, Oxford, and maintains an international career as a choral conductor and singer with groups such as Tenebrae. He also teaches and supervises at the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford and is a published composer, with his work shaped by an active research interest in the sacred music of sixteenth-century Spain.

Flora Clapham
‘Pre-Con was the most wonderful program for me as a kid when all I wanted to do was play chamber music. Fantastic coaching opened my eyes to the possibilities of ensemble playing, and I got to work on some of the great chamber repertoire. I’m now reading Music at Cambridge and I plan on a postgrad in violin performance.’

Jamada Roberts
“After my time at the pre-conservatoire, I went on to study at the Royal Northern College of Music, later becoming a professional freelance musician. I’m fortunate enough to have a varied portfolio of work; Playing, musically directing and arranging for various instrumental and vocal-led bands covering other artists’ work. I also work with a few original artists, touring and sometimes arranging their music. In addition to this, I have a few original projects of my own that are in their formative stages. Pre-con helped to instil discipline, curiosity and honesty in my own practice and playing, as well as giving me a core understanding of how to find my place in a band, considering the whole sound of an ensemble and how I contribute to it.”

Toby Yapp
“I am an accomplished bassist and composer, originally from Bristol, now living and working in London. After graduating from the Royal Academy of Music’s esteemed Jazz Programme, where I was able to study with amazing musicians like Orlando Le Flemming and the legendary Dave Holland, I am now teaching and gigging on a regular basis. Over the last few years, I have played at some of London’s most iconic jazz venues, including Ronnie Scott’s, The Vortex & The Jazz Cafe (opening for Aaron Parks) and have toured extensively across the UK.
Attending the Bristol Pre-Conservatoire as a teenager was crucial to my development as a young musician. Without the focused and generous guidance from Nick Malcom and Nick Dover, I would never have been able to follow my dream to study music. I made so many good friends there who are now fellow professional musicians themselves and regular collaborators. I owe so much to the dedicated team at Pre-Con, but most of all to Jon James’ tireless enthusiasm, wisdom and belief in all of us.”

George Prentice-Tovey
“Pre-Con played a vital role in my early engagement with jazz, I was able to experiment and get my foundations together before heading off to conservatoire. Not only this, but the weekly opening sessions broadened my understanding of music across history. I have just graduated from the Royal Academy of Music, a place I’m not sure I would’ve gotten to without Pre-Con!”

Jed Hughes
“I am currently the Organist and Director of Music at St Mary’s Church, Wotton-under-Edge, and teach organ at Magdalen College School. I also serve as Assistant Director of the Elmore Festival and Artistic Director of the Cotswold Concert Series.
Prior to this, I was Organ Scholar at both Wells and Manchester Cathedrals, having studied organ in Leipzig with Prof. Martin Schmeding and in Berlin with Prof. Henry Fairs.
Pre-Conservatoire gave me invaluable access and insight into the possibilities and opportunities of a life in music. I would not have been able to access the level of coaching and encouragement I received there elsewhere, and it has played a significant role in helping me achieve my current positions.”