Music Staff
Rhiannon M. Williams FLCM LRSM LTCL LGSMD
Musical Director - August 2024 - Present
A native of Barry, Rhiannon was educated at the Bishop of Llandaff High School in Cardiff. Her early years were influenced by a love of singing and winning the 1989 National BET Choirgirl of the Year, held in London. This led to solo appearances at the Royal Albert Hall and St David’s Hall on many occasions, a scholarship to the RWCMD, opera tour performances and membership of the National Youth Choirs of Wales and Great Britain.
Receiving piano tuition with Marion Williams (former accompanist at Treorchy), Rhiannon was awarded an ABRSM scholarship for instruction at the Royal Academy of Music, London. She also read music at Cardiff University as a David Lloyd vocal scholar, before achieving Associate & Licentiate diplomas from all the major schools of music, each with distinction, culminating with a Fellowship in piano accompaniment from the London College of Music.
Rhiannon’s accompanying career began with Treorchy MC in 1998. Over a four year period she enjoyed performing in all of their concerts, including tours to Australia, USA and Canada. Between 2003 – 2014 she then became accompanist to the MVCs of Bridgend, Llanelli and Pontarddulais, gaining new experiences on the competition stage, winning a number of National Eisteddfodau and Festivals with the former and achieving prizes, including at Llangollen, with the latter. Her accompanying discography includes CD recordings with these choirs.
Rhiannon has guest accompanied for other MVCs in concert, working with Morriston Orpheus, Pendyrus, Cwmbach, London Welsh RFC and Bournemouth, also winning the North Wales Choral and Oundle Festivals with Peterborough. She has also accompanied several massed Male and Ladies Choir events under the direction of Richard Stephens and Alwyn Humphreys, each taking place at St David’s Hall, Cardiff.
As an accompanist for guest soloists, artistes have included Alfie Boe, Wynne Evans, Rebecca Evans, Fflur Wynn, Richard Allen, Jessica Robinson and Elin Manahan Thomas, to name just a few. Rhiannon was also an official accompanist during the Stuart Burrows International Voice Award final and she continues to accompany for the final of the prestigious MOCSA competition (2024 and also in 2025).
As an adjudicator, Rhiannon has officiated at many competitions, with her most memorable being the 2019 International MVC Competition at Poole, Dorset.
Other notable engagements include: the Brahms Requiem piano duo at St John’s Smith Square, London with Nicola Rose; the Machynlleth Festival with violinist Cerys Jones; the piano duet of the Saint Saëns Organ Symphony with Siân Davies and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra during the Welsh Proms.
Rhiannon has been Musical Director of Cowbridge MVC since 2017 and previously served as Musical Director of the South Wales Male Choir (Côr Meibion De Cymru) since and Wessex Male Voice Choir. She has led both choirs on successful tours to Spain, Cyprus and Austria. Previously the MD of Ynysybwl Ladies Choir, Wessex and Bridgend Male Choirs, she achieved several 1st places, including the 2014 Llangollen International Eisteddfod.
Rhiannon previously served as the resident organist at Coychurch Crematorium (2014-2018 and 2021-2024) and also as organist during graduation ceremonies for the University of South Wales (2004-2014). She is currently a freelance Musician and this includes playing at
weddings, funerals, providing piano accompaniment to musicians of the Royal Welsh Regimental Band (during their CEQ examinations) as well as guest accompanying for varied vocal / choral performances. Rhiannon is also an advocate of holistic therapies / remedies and this has become a continued passion, alongside her music.
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Rhiannon is a Patron of Wessex Male Choir and an Honorary Lady Member of Treorchy Male Choir (2008). She is delighted to return to the choir which has inspired her entire MVC journey. Diolch Treorchy!
Laura Deenik BMus (Hons), PGDip, MAMT, LRSM, DipABRSM (Teach.), MISM, HCPC, MBAMT
Principal Accompanist - February 2026 - present day
Laura graduated from the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama with a 2:1 BMus (Hons) Degree in solo piano performance in 2007. Studying with highly acclaimed pianists including Richard McMahon, Michael
Young, Mei Yi Foo, Katya Lebedeva, Bernard Roberts, Philip Martin, and Vanessa Latarche, Laura excelled as a soloist, competing in Concerto Trials Semi Finals and being awarded special recognition in the prestigious Beethoven Prize.
Having begun accompanying choirs during her studies, it is now something Laura wouldn’t be without. She is privileged to have worked with some amazing solo artists including Ros Evans and Sir Willard White. Laura has had the pleasure of accompanying masterclasses for internationally renowned artists including Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Dennis O’Neill, Susan Bullock, and has also worked closely with Julian Smith, Gareth Jones and Richard Bonynge.
Laura remains passionate about solo piano repertoire. She is in steady demand for performances at weddings and other private functions and has been invited to take part in Masterclasses and recital opportunities by Musical Odyssey’s Artistic Director, Yekaterina Lebedeva.
Believing passionately in the power of music to connect and enhance lives is something which firmly drives Laura’s music performing career. It is also what led her to qualify as a Music Therapist, something in which she has over 15 years clinical experience.
Scott Williams MMath (Hons)
Deputy Accompanist / Organist - January 2026 - present day
Born in Neath, Scott was educated at Brynteg Comprehensive School in Bridgend and later studied at the University of Bath where he attained a Master of Mathematics degree. He currently offers tuition in this subject privately.
His musical career started as a chorister at St Mary’s, Nolton Church in Bridgend. Scott became head chorister and was successful in obtaining the Royal School of Church Music St. Nicholas (Senior) Award, incorporating keyboard skills. He was also an active member of the regional RSCM Cathedral Singers and it was under an RSCM initiative for young organists that Scott commenced his organ playing career.
From 2008 to 2022, Scott was the organist for Bridgend Male Choir and a regular contributor to their concert performances, including tours of Liverpool, Scotland, North Wales, Ireland, Majorca and Cornwall. Whilst with the choir, he played the organs of St. David’s Hall and the cathedrals of Clifton, St. Asaph, Wells, Chelmsford and Palma, as well as at many churches and chapels across the UK. Scott also features on three of the choir’s CD recordings.
As a pianist, Scott was appointed deputy accompanist at Cowbridge Male Voice Choir in 2024; he has accompanied the choir on their tours to the Isle of Wight, Cyprus and Jersey, as well as during a concert at the Temple of Peace, Cardiff. As an organist, as well as appearing on three of their latest albums, he has played for the choir at many venues including Shrewsbury’s Theatre Severn, Cowbridge Leisure Centre for their annual concerts (using the Hauptwerk virtual pipe organ sample set of Hereford Cathedral), at Llandaff Cathedral on several occasions, and also at two beautiful abbeys during the choir's tour to Bavaria.
Scott provided organ accompaniment at Pendyrus Male Choir’s Centenary Gala Concert in 2024, having previously played for them during their tour to Poland as a guest organist in 2017 and at other concerts that same year.
He was also the organist for Côr Meibion De Cymru at St David’s Cathedral in 2022 and at Dunblane Cathedral in 2024 during the choir's Scottish tour.
Since September 2024, Scott has been the organist for Treorchy Male Choir at many of our concerts, at venues which include Hereford Cathedral, BBC Hoddinott Hall in Cardiff, Sherborne Abbey and the Brangwyn Hall, Swansea. He has been providing piano accompaniment for choir rehearsals one evening per week, and also at several of our concerts. Scott was our tour accompanist at the 2025 Lorient Interceltique Festival held in Brittany, France.