Meet the Teams
Meet our Conductors
We are privileged at DUCS to benefit from the tutelage of two conductors. We welcome a professional Principal to our ranks, with a student Associate serving as a mentee.
Tim Burke
From 2025-26, we welcome Tim Burke as our Principal Conductor.
Tim serves as the current Chorus Director for the Royal Northern Sinfonia and Musical Director of Tête à Tête Opera, Britain’s largest festival for new opera.
He has previously worked with a range of notable musical institutions across the British Isles, including as Opera Master at Opera North, and has held positions with both English and Welsh National Operas. His illustrious career within opera and choral music follows studies at Oxford University, the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and training at the Royal Opera House.
Tim is a passionate believer in the importance of new writing, and has a huge conducting repertoire to his name, with credits including Will Tuckett’s ‘The Wind in the Willows’, and Verdi’s ‘La Traviata’.
Conducting credits include Les enfants terribles for the Royal Ballet at the Barbican Hall, Will Tuckett’s The Wind in the Willows and The Lost Thing for the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, La Fanciulla del West for Opera Holland Park, Le nozze di Figaro for Scottish Opera, Le nozze di Figaro and Tosca for Welsh National Opera, Rimsky Korskakov’s Christmas Eve for Chelsea Opera Group, The Barber of Seville for Opera North, Patience for English Touring Opera, People Watch and Tell Me The Truth About Love for Streetwise Opera, Pierrot Lunaire for Manchester Collective, The Emperor of Atlantis for Bold Tendencies, La traviata and Il Barbiere di Siviglia for Lyric Opera, Dublin, and The Flying Dutchman for OperaUpClose and Manchester Camerata.
Tim is has worked alongside Durham University Choral Society for a number of engagements in recent years, including projects such as Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis, or in a performance of Bruckner’s “Great” Mass in the Glasshouse International Centre for Music as part of the Big Bruckner Weekend in March 2024.
From 2025-26, we welcome Louis Allen as our Associate Conductor.
Louis is a distinguished student conductor who has had a number of varied and extensive experiences working amidst the musical scene in Durham for the past 2 years.
Louis Allen
Louis has spent a year working with DUCS in his previous capacity as the Junior Associate Conductor, assisting with the foundation of the Durham University Voices programme.
In addition, Louis has been an active conductor in the Chapel music scene in roles as Director of Music at Grey College, St Cuthbert’s Society and most recently, the College of Hild & Bede.
Louis is a third year Politics and International Relations student originally in addition to his work as a conductor. He also enjoys a variety of musical facets, holding qualifications as a pianist, organist and cellist. He is also a sought-after singer for various Chapel choirs, and when not conducting, serves as a tenor for the Choral Society.
Louis is really looking forward to diversifying his experience this year as Associate Conductor in his delivery of our DUVs programme in its second year, his work on various projects with the Society and also in conducting the choir on their annual tour.
Meet our Accompanist
Alison Gill has been our accompanist since September 2021.
Alison has a wealth of experience as a leading pianist in the North East. She is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music, specialising as an accompanist and répétiteur.
Alison Gill
Whilst at the RAM she made her Wigmore Hall debut, filmed for Channel 4, and was chosen as one of ten pianists to perform alongside Michael Nyman and Gavin Bryars in Satie's 19 hour work Vexations, taking place in the Turbine Hall at the Tate Modern.
Now based in North Yorkshire, Alison is highly sought after as an accompanist across the region, collaborating regularly with the Chorus of the Royal Northern Sinfonia, Jervaulx Singers and as an accompanist in residence for Leeds Conservatoire, Durham University, Samling and for the BBC Proms, held at the Glasshouse International Centre for Music. She is the European accompanist in residence for the Berkshire Choral International summer courses and as a soloist and accompanist has performed with them at venues including Palau de La Musica in Barcelona, the Teatro Verdi in Florence and Vienna’s Musikverein.
Meet our Executive Team
Our Executive Team is the beating heart of the society. From managing our finances to cultivating sponsorship links, they’re here to ensure the society runs smoothly.
Joshua Pau
Joshua Pau is a third year Chemistry student from Van Mildert College, and has been singing in DUCS as a tenor since September 2023.
Having previously served as DUCS Concert Manager, he is now excited to lead the society as President for the 2025/26 season. Joshua is passionate about both the music and the community that the Choral Society creates, and is looking forward to a year that includes ambitious projects, lively socials, and the excitement of the annual Easter tour.
Role: President
Course: Chemistry
College: Van Mildert
Year of study: 3rd Year
Lucy Allan
Role: Vice President
Course: Biology
College: St Cuthbert’s Society
Year of study: 3rd Year
Lucy Allan is a third year Biology student from St Cuthbert’s Society, and has been singing in DUCS as a soprano since January 2022.
Lucy served as President of the society last year, and following her position she is keen to maintain oversight over the management of the society with a new focus on the operations of our alumni and sponsorship networks and grant applications. She previously managed St Cuthbert’s Society Chapel Choir prior to her roles with DUCS.
Ben Jalihal
Ben Jalihal is a postgraduate Economics student from Van Mildert, and has been singing in DUCS as a bass since September 2021.
One of the longest serving members of DUCS, Ben begins his first role in the team as our Treasurer, responsible for oversight of the finances of the society. Ben controls the annual budget and oversees all grant applications and revenue streams to ensure we can afford to complete all our projects.
Role: Treasurer
Course: Economics
College: Van Mildert
Year of study: Postgraduate
Jack Edmunds
Jack Edmunds is a second year Engineering student from University College, and has been singing in DUCS as a bass since September 2024.
Jack begins a number of roles as Secretary this year for Foot Notes as well as DUCS. As Secretary, he is responsible for ensuring the roster of singers are onboarded, communicated with for projects, and handles the inbox and communications with external contacts.
Role: Secretary
Course: Engineering
College: University (Castle)
Year of study: 2nd Year
Sam Hallett
Sam Hallett is a second year Music student from St Chad’s College, and has been singing in DUCS as a bass since September 2024.
Sam is an avid member of Durham Student Music as well as being heavily involved in college music as Co-President of St Chad’s Music. He begins a vital role as Concert Manager, ensuring all the logistics before and on the day of our concerts run as smoothly as possible.
Role: Concert Manager
Course: Music
College: St Chad’s
Year of study: 2nd Year
Cameron Davies
Cameron Davies is a third year Music student from St Chad’s College, and has been singing in DUCS as a bass since September 2023.
Cameron has previously been both the Associate Conductor and Vice President of DUCS, and having developed an active interest in the society’s marketing, he is now keen to develop cohesive branding for the society and build a larger network within the community of Newcastle and Durham.
Role: Publicity & Marketing Manager
Course: Music
College: St Chad’s
Year of study: 3rd Year
Anoushka Durham
Role: Tour Manager
Course: Liberal Arts
College: Van Mildert
Year of study: 3rd Year
Anoushka Durham is a third year Liberal Arts student from Van Mildert College, and has been singing in DUCS as a soprano since January 2024.
Alongside a busy schedule on various teams outside of DUCS, Anoushka moves from our Publicity side to managing the society’s annual international tour. This involves a number of logistical tasks including securing accommodation, booking venues, collaborating with local companies aborad and more.
Shreya Kaveeshwar
Shreya Kaveeshwar is a second year Music student from St Mary’s College, and has been singing in DUCS as an alto since September 2024.
Shreya joins the team for the first time as the manager of our Library, which involves managing our stock of music in our own stores as well as hiring in, logging and taking care of scores hired from external companies. As Librarian, her role is vital to ensuring rehearsals run smoothly!
Role: Librarian
Course: Music
College: St Mary’s
Year of study: 2nd Year
Sam McKay
Sam McKay is a fourth year Engineering student from University College, and has been singing in DUCS as a bass since September 2022.
Sam starts his second year working in the team after previously serving as Tour Manager on the choirs’ annual tour to Slovenia. Now acting as our Social Secretary, Sam continues to foster a true communal connection between our singers with regular social events and welfare signposting for members.
Role: Co-Social Secretary
Course: Engineering
College: University (Castle)
Year of study: 4th Year
Ollie Crabtree
Ollie Crabtree is a second year Engineering student from St Aidan’s College, and has been singing in DUCS as a bass since September 2024.
Ollie is also another new recruit to the team, and alongside Sam will begin his role as a member of the Social team, organising social events and working alongside the wider DSM team to ensure the promotion of member welfare throughout the academic year.
Role: Co-Social Secretary
Course: Ancient History & Archaeology
College: St Aidan’s
Year of study: 2nd Year
Our choir makes up the rest of our society, with over 100 societies from all colleges, subjects, year groups and more. We are a diverse, fun-filled and dedicated group. Read more about us!