(conductor of : St.Helens Youth Brass Band + St.Helens Youth Training Brass Band)

Lynda Nicholson was born in London into a banding family, and at the age of twelve became a member of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, where she was appointed Leader on six courses. It gives her particular pleasure to be involved with the band as Cornet Tutor now; she also tutors the cornet section of the National Youth Brass Band of Wales.

She studied trumpet at the Royal College of Music, gaining the A.R.C.M. diploma, and the G.R.S.M. (Hons) degree. She followed this with post-graduate teacher training and has been teaching brass since 1979. From 1990 to 1995 she lectured at the Royal Northern College of Music, and is presently a Mentor for the Associated Boards’ Certificate of Teaching Course.

In 1986, Lynda moved to Cheshire to play Assistant Principal Cornet with the Foden Band under the baton of Howard Snell. She joined the Desford Band in 1991 on Principal Cornet, winning the National Brass Band Championships with them later that year. In 1993, she joined the Wingates Band with whom she was featured as soloist on many recordings and radio broadcasts. During 1999, Lynda played Assistant Principal Cornet in the world famous Black Dyke Band.

Lynda started teaching in St. Helens in 1987, and conducting the St. Helens Youth Brass Band in 1988, since when the band has made steady progress to its current status of National Youth Brass Band Champions of Great Britain in the Premier Class.

In recent years Lynda has turned her hand more and more to conducting, and is at present Musical Director of the Rainford Silver Band.

She was the 1999 recipient of the Mortimer Medal, awarded by the Worshipful Company of Musicians annually, for services to youth music.

Lynda, more recently, received the award for "Best Musical Director" at the NWCBB competition at Fleetwood (2003) with the St.Helens Youth Training Brass Band.

John Burke began playing trumpet at the age of sixteen and was particularly interested in jazz. He studied classical trumpet at Music College in Liverpool, but maintained a keen interest in jazz and was fortunate enough to be able to receive lessons from leading American jazz trumpeter Bobby Shew and in addition, attended the summer jazz workshops under the direction of Jamey Aebersold.

During the 1980’s, he toured extensively in Germany, Austria and Switzerland working in many diverse situations, performing and recording with artists such as Shakin Stevens and the pop group Graham Parker and the Rumour.

He began teaching privately during the 1990’s. Since gaining a Certificate in Teaching from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, he has worked full time as a peripatetic brass teacher and conductor for the Wirral Education Authority, where he is associated with the Wirral Schools Intermediate Brass Band and the Big Band.

John has been Musical Director of the St. Helens Youth Beginners’ Band since its formation in 1997 and is extremely popular with all the youngsters.

As the Beginner's Band has progressed, lately John has encouraged their entry into competitions and a greater public appearance as a solo band.