has ginger hair and beard and looks downwards with a subtle frown. Positioned against a white backdrop, he is captured to the side of the frame. He wears a dark blue t-shirt.

Photo: Olivier Burnside

Changing Faces

Royal Welsh College appoints Head of Jazz 

Arts Professional
2 min read

The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama (RWCMD) has announced ANDREW BAIN as Head of Jazz, succeeding PAULA GARDINER who retires at the end of the academic year. 

A musician, performer, educator and researcher, Bain is currently Deputy Head and Senior Lecturer of Jazz at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, and sits on the steering committee for the International Network for Artistic Research in Jazz.

Bain has performed across the UK, Europe, and America, and has experience performing and conducting at the BBC Proms. He developed professional ties as an artist-in-residence with institutions including Universidad Javeriana in Colombia and University of Stavanger in Norway.

In August, he will become the Director of Summer Jazz Camp Scotland on its inaugural course. 

“RWCMD’s music programmes combine individual instrumental or vocal craft with collaborative artistry and links to the wider society. All of these three elements are fundamental to jazz and Andrew brings a passionate commitment to this holistic approach to training,” Director of Music TIM RHYS-EVANS said.

“His pedigree as a player, a collaborator, a leader of ensembles, a passionate educator, and as an academic make him the ideal person to take up the baton from Paula, and I’m excited about the future of jazz at RWCMD under his leadership.”

Bain added: “After the excellent stewardship of Paula Gardiner since 2001, I look forward to bringing my expertise to the jazz department and wider community to continue and extend the reputation of the jazz course for many more years to come."

Alongside Bain’s appointment, the conservatoire will see MARY KING lead the RWCMD Vocal Studies department and JAMES SOUTHALL become Music Director of the David Seligman Opera School from the start of the next academic year.