Adjudicators
Lincoln Festival only engages adjudicators who are members of our “trade association”, the British and International Federation of Festivals of Music, Dance and Speech. This means that they have been trained specifically in the evaluation of performances and follow the Federation’s marking scheme to ensure consistency. All our adjudicators are performers and teachers in their own right, and have a wealth of experience which they bring to bear for the benefit of our Festival entrants.
Speech and Drama
Susan Mackay
For 10 years, Susan ran The Fylde Stage School teaching levels of RAD and ISTD dance and LAMDA Speech and Drama before graduating from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.
After seasons in Repertory Theatre, touring and TV she decided that it was time to realise other dreams. She now directs Upstage Drama, teaching Speech and Drama, GCSE Drama, Upstage Young People's Theatre and Bare Boards Theatre Company.
Susan adjudicates at festivals all over the UK as well as Cork and Hong Kong. She is an adjudicator member of the British and International Federation of Festivals and has served as a deputy on the Adjudicators Council.
Susan sees her role as an adjudicator as a combination of bringing new ideas and approaches to text and performance as well as fresh encouragement to every participant. She feels that everyone should leave a festival with a sense of achievement.
FeMusic
Gillian Johnston
Gillian studied the bassoon with Archie Camden at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and, after a period of freelance playing, concentrated on a teaching career, before moving to Harpenden where she established her own Music School, ‘Harpenden Musicale’. As well as running the Music School, Gill arranges Musicale Holidays, Competitions and a Summer Music Festival. She is the founder and Musical Director of
the National Children’s Wind Orchestra and associated groups. Gillis an adjudicator for The British and International Federation of Festivals and very much enjoys contact with young musicians, inspiring and enthusing their interest in music.
Jane Wilkinson
Jane trained as a soprano at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and then at the Royal College of Music where she won many competitions and awards.
She performs solo art song recitals across the country and has toured South Africa, Europe and America. Jane teaches singing at Laine Theatre Arts and is a singing tutor at Imperial College, London.
Jane has premiered many contemporary operas and frequently works alongside composers on new works for the stage and for recordings. She has performed oratorios and concerts at Edinburgh Festival, Royal Albert Hall and many other distinguished venues.
Jane leads vocal masterclasses and workshops internationally and often runs ‘audition technique’ days for aspiring singers. Jane has taught singers of all ages and standards and has a great passion for educating.
Her voice has featured on a wide variety of albums and recordings from children’s repertoire to contemporary folk rock. Jane has been adjudicating for the British and International Federation of Festivals since 2012.
Timothy Barratt
Timothy Barratt studied on a Scholarship at the Royal Academy of Music, winning many major awards, and completed his studies with Vlado Perlemuter in Paris and Geoffrey Parsons. He has toured and broadcast extensively in the UK and abroad as soloist, accompanist and chamber music player. Whilst still a student he developed a special interest in song accompaniment through playing for Masterclasses at Aldeburgh, subsequently partnering such artists as Dame Felicity Lott and Robert White. Teaching forms a major part of his musical life and he works with pupils of all ages and levels from beginner to post-graduate. He was Head of Keyboard at Dulwich College for almost 25 years whilst also teaching at the RAM and TCM and now pursues a busy freelance career.
An ABRSM examiner since 1991, he is also a Trainer, Moderator and Mentor. Other work for the AB includes selecting the graded Piano pieces and presenting Seminars. He frequently directs Masterclasses for performers and teachers’ workshops in the UK and Far East and is in demand as a Competition and Festival adjudicator.