Katy Gainham MA AGSM LGSM

Katy studied with Kathryn Lukas and Edward Beckett at the Guildhall School (1985-1989) and was awarded both the Flute and Woodwind prizes. She was appointed as Professor of Flute in 1994 and became a Course Tutor in 1999. In addition to flute teaching, she also has responsibility for Chamber Music across the Department.

Katy has a diverse and interesting freelance career. A member of English Touring Opera since 1995, she also works with many chamber and contemporary music ensembles including Composers' Ensemble, Lontano, Almeida Opera, Music Projects London, Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, Jane's Minstrels and Premiere Crew. Orchestral playing includes City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment.

As a young professional, Katy was a 'Countess of Munster' artist and a long-standing member of Live Music Now. She has continued to work as a concert artist giving recitals in the UK, Estonia, Italy and South Africa and playing concertos with the Feinstein Ensemble in London.

In 2001, Katy made several trips to South Africa with Broomhill Opera (with whom she was principal flute) where she ran sequences of workshops in rural schools and townships and a music centre. This work is the subject of her chapter in "The Reflective Conservatoire" (Ashgate, 2005). She has also worked on education programmes with the Royal Opera House, ENO Baylis and English Touring Opera and run projects both in the UK and Italy.

Katy has a research background in Breathing and Flute Playing (articles in Music Teacher Magazine and British Flute Society Magazine). Such was her enthusiasm for her subject, that she took herself up to the summit of Kilimanjaro and got terrible altitude sickness. She has a Masters degree in Music Education/Education for International Development and now also teaches on the academic programme of the BMus course.