Musical Director
Jon Kettle

Jon’s musical journey began in a house filled with music (his mother was a piano teacher) and he joined the local church choir at the age of 10. Fast-forward to sixth form, where he was a member of the school chamber choir, barbershop group, and orchestra, playing the French Horn. He studied music at Aberystwyth University and joined the college madrigal group, with performances in Europe and the UK. After university he spent several years playing guitar, bass and keyboards in bands and pit orchestras for musicals, as well as performing in lead roles on stage. In 2011, he was asked to lead the Crowborough branch of a large Sussex-based choir network, thus reigniting his passion for all things choral!
​By day, Jon works as a primary school teacher in Newhaven.

Accompanist
​Mike Aston

Our accompanist, Mike Aston, is a graduate of Cambridge University and he also holds a piano teaching qualification from the Royal College of Music  London.  As well as running a busy private teaching practice in Yorkshire for many years, he also taught piano at two independent schools and lectured on music in the Continuing Education Department of Manchester University. Away from teaching he has performed at a soloist, accompanist, chamber music player and as half of a piano duo partnership.  
Oxford University Press have published several albums of piano duets under Mike's editorship, and these include new arrangements made by him. In recent years he has enjoyed presenting talks on various musical topics around the UK as well as in Italy and Canada.  Now mostly retired he continues to do small amounts of teaching as well as helping to raise funds for local charities.