A list of the choirs I’ve sung in, conducted, and music qualifications.
Author: belsemi@gmail.com
Musician, educator, communicator, amateur photographer, and a Belgian in the UK for the last 8 years, I have taken part in many projects and activities. Find out more about me!
In the run-up to the choir’s centenary concert at the York Barbican, I offered my help to run a social media campaign to boost ticket sales.
I was brought on as producer for the fantastic Swan Consort’s Song of the Birds project.
Over my many years in CISV I took on several roles, and particularly enjoyed the more outward-facing ones.
After a night of despair following the European, Belgian, and French (first round) elections, I wanted to do something, anything at all that was a bit more constructive than simply say “this is upsetting”. So I drew some graphics, late into the night.
A few months after starting in my role as Schools Singing Lead for the Chapter of York, I contributed a piece for the RSCM’s magazine.
Being in Helsinki around midsummer (but not on midsummer’s day, the Finns were very clear) was a treat. A couple of walks around Vallisaari and Lauttasaari with my camera showed the vivid colour and bustling wildlife – highly recommend!
A very worthwhile early start gave us a golden opportunity to have the entirety of the National Trust’s Hardcastle Crags to ourselves.
In January 2025, I co-organised and promoted a concert in York on the themes of light and warmth in the darkest months.
I was appointed Deputy Musical Director of the York Philharmonic Male Voice Choir in November 2024.
I was sent on a training which might sound somewhat unusual: The Art of Being Brilliant. I found myself making notes, colourful ones, and being genuinely interested in the evidence-based suggestions we were given.
The tranquil pond of Het Rustpunt, a Carmelite monastery in Ghent, was home to shimmery damselflies and dragonflies. Between singing sessions, I spent a few hours capturing the elusive insects.
I studied for my MMus at the University of Hull in 2019-2020. While the pandemic halted most activities, including the performance aspects of my studies, it presented a unique opportunity for research into what had become one of the riskiest activities one could do: group singing.
I set up and ran the school choir when I began teaching full-time. That year, the choir featured in BBC Children in Need.
During my time in Hull Barbershop Harmony Club, I took on several roles, including communications manager and unofficial photographer for the club.
As an adoptive Hullensian for eight years, I am a huge fan of Freedom Festival. Street performances take over the city, and Hull shows it deserved its 2017 City of Culture status!
During my years at the University of Hull, I became very active in the Ju-Jitsu club and the Barbershop society.
Pearson Park in Hull is known for its Victorian architecture and delightful bandstand. I got distracted by busy bees on colourful flowers…
RSPB’s Bempton Cliffs are home to some delightful birds. My amateur gear was not quite up to the job, but I got a couple of shots I was quite pleased with!