JANICE BALL

ACCOMPANIST 2002-2007
DEPUTY CONDUCTOR 2006-2007
CONDUCTOR 2007 –
HONORARY LADY MEMBER

Jan Ball was born in the Swansea Valley and began playing the piano and organ as a child. She later followed a Bachelor of Music degree in Musical Composition at the University of Wales, Cardiff where she studied under tutors John McGabe and Patrick Piggott. Following her graduation she taught piano and organ and gained a reputation as a professional accompanist to singers and choral organisations.  A television contract resulted in many guest appearances as an accompanist to a range of well-known singers for HTV Wales and in 1969 she was appointed accompanist and assistant conductor to the internationally renowned Ardwyn Singers of Cardiff. She was also the accompanist of the National Youth Choir of Wales for 20 years. As an organist she has played at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Washington D.C., the Royal Albert Hall, Valetta Cathedral in Malta, the Sydney Opera House and also in the cathedrals of Russia and Germany. She was also invited to undertake a series of organ recitals in Barbados and Australia. For a decade Jan was the Head of Music at Coleg Glan Hafren in the Welsh capital and now tutors at the University of Wales College of Cardiff, Howells School in Llandaff and also works with the Welsh National Opera Education Programme.

In constant demand as a pianist and organist, Jan, who also holds a pilot’s licence, became the Choir’s accompanist in 2002. She has since undertaken a hugely successful tour of Australia with them as well as performing in some of the UK’s top concert venues. Following a period as Deputy Conductor, she was appointed the first female Conductor of the Treorchy Male Choir in the summer of 2007.  Two years later she led the Choir on its fourth tour of Australia and first visit to New Zealand to critical acclaim.