Robert T Elliott and Lucy Fflur Jones
ROB - MUSICAL DIRECTOR
Rob grew up in Newport, and went to school with a number of the current choir! He now travels from his home in Wiltshire each week to lead Allegra rehearsals.
In 2001, he founded Wessex Male Choir, which went on to become the most successful Male Choir of the 21st Century, culminating in be being crowned International Male Choir Champions at the Lllangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in 2011.
Rob has directed choirs to win dozens of prizes in major competitions in Europe and has directed and performed in a host of venues including the Royal Albert Hall, Cardiff Castle, The NEC, Central Hall Westminster, and Wembley, as well as in several Cathedrals across the UK.
He has led the National Anthems at Twickenham for International Rugby games, and his own private Male Chorus performed at all the Games there in 2015 for the Rugby World Cup.
He has worked with bands and choirs of all types for over thirty years and has adjudicated at many of the top festivals and competitions, including as Head Adjudicator at The National Choral Festival in Ireland, Isle of Man Festival of Choirs, Cornwall International Male Choral Festival, North Wales Choral Festival, Mid Somerset Festival in Bath, Manchester Amateur Choral Competition at the Royal Northern College of Music, Bangor International Choral Festival in Northern Ireland, National Prep’ School Competition at Cadogan Hall, London, Mayo International Choral Festival in Ireland, and for the Barnardos National School Choir Competition at the Barbican, Royal Festival Hall, and Birmingham Symphony Hall.
Rob was previously Director of the 'World’s Largest Male Choir Festival', where over 60 Choirs took part. He continues to be in demand for his adjudicating and choir-mentoring roles, as well as having a very busy teaching practise in Wiltshire.
LUCY - PRINCIPAL ACCOMPANIST
Originally from Ammanford, but now based in Cardiff, Lucy received distinctions in obtaining her Masters in Music Performance at Cardiff University and her ATCL Piano Diploma. During her time at university, Lucy accompanied various choirs, ensembles and instrumentalists whilst also performing as a soloist.
In addition to Allegra, Lucy often is seen accompanying at Urdd Eisteddfods around Cardiff as well as playing the keys on match days for Côr y Gleision (Cardiff Blues Choir) at the Cardiff Arms Park. She has performed at various UK venues, such as Truro Cathedral at the Cornwall International Male Choral Festival, as well as internationally, accompanying at the Bangor International Choir Festival in Northern Ireland, and at Disneyland Paris for the St David’s Welsh Festival. Alongside the piano, Lucy is also a very accomplished Harpist, for which she studied at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. She was the principal harpist of the Cardiff University Symphony Orchestra during her time at University, as well as having played the piano and celeste for the orchestra during her masters degree studies.
Aside from music Lucy is a fanatical sports fan, having been a successful junior athlete and a multiple West Wales champion. On her days off she can be found watching her beloved Scarlets in Llanelli or Wales at the Principality Stadium. She hopes to one day combine both passions, which would be to play the piano at the Principality Stadium!
