Tenor soloist, vocal coach and teacher, pianist, organist and choral director, Adrian studied piano and clarinet at the Royal Academy of Music & singing with Arthur Reckless at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, and subsequently with Ian Partridge, Ron Morris and Paul Farrington. He is also a graduate of the University of Durham.
After an initial career as accompanist and clarinettist, he quickly established himself as a Tenor, enjoying a solo career in concert and recital over 35 years. His work as a singer has included recordings and broadcasts and in 1999 Adrian was awarded the ARAM, an honour granted to past students of the Academy who have achieved distinction in the profession. A former Lay-clerk at Ely Cathedral, deputy Vicar Choral at St Paul’s Cathedral, deputy Lay Vicar Westminster Abbey and deputy Gentleman of HM Chapel Royal, and a professional member of the City Glee Club, Adrian is Director of the Chamber Choir Quorum, and works also as a Director of Music and Organist at a major church, alongside a parallel career in education.
Formerly a Director of Music at two independent senior schools for over 13 years, Adrian was Director of the Kent Music Academy for the gifted and talented young musician, and Head of Kent's County Groups where he was the Staff Conductor for orchestras and bands at county level and summer schools for 9 years. Adrian was also an examiner for grades and diplomas for 15 years for the Guildhall. As a vocal teacher from beginners to diploma level for over 20 years, teaching in both independent and state schools, at Brighton College, Cranleigh School and The Judd School, Tonbridge and also privately, his pedagogy reflects current accepted up-to-date practice and personal ongoing engagement in contemporary research. Many of his pupils have gone on to study at conservatoires, taken up choral scholarships at university, and currently sing in the National Youth Choirs. He is increasingly in demand as a vocal troubleshooter. In addition to his successful solo singing and teaching career, Adrian directs workshops and master classes for singers and speakers at summer schools. He is a member of the Association of Teachers of Singing (AOTOS), and a Fellow of the Independent Society of Musicians (ISM). In the year 2000 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, and in 2020 was elected a Member of the Royal Society of Musicians.
An adjudicator appearing at international, national and local festivals, including the National Festival of Music for Youth, Adrian is both a generalist adjudicator, appointed in 2011, and a specialist in vocal and choral, woodwind, piano, and organ with 37 years experience. An adjudicator member of the British and International Federation of Festivals since 1983, Adrian has been an elected member of the Adjudicators' Council since 2010, was elected Vice Chair in 2012 and was asked by the Council to be their Chair holding this position for ten years until 2024. Among many initiatives, Adrian instigated and led on the development of the new marking Scheme from inception to its rolling out across the Federation in 2024, and directed the revision of the Potential New Adjudicator (PNA) assessment process as it moved online. He sits on the PNA Assessment Panel and is also a Federation adjudicator mentor.
In 2024 Adrian's work and commitment were recognised by the prestigious award following election as an adjudicator Fellow of the British and International Federation of Festivals for an outstanding contribution over many years to the Federation and the festival movement.