Cantare choir, based in Southend

Elizabeth Dunlop – Musical Director

Elizabeth Dunlop began singing as a 7-year-old church chorister, fostering a life-long love of choral music. She began early vocal training with Margaret Cozens, and then studied Singing with Neil Mackie and piano with Yonty Solomon at the Royal College of Music, winning both French and Italian languages prizes. Awarded the Freda Parry Scholarship in 1987, Elizabeth completed post-graduate vocal training with Italian opera singer, Graziella Sciutti.
Elizabeth is a sought-after concert soloist, also performing regularly as part of 'The Two Elizabeths' soprano duo, with Elizabeth Upsher.
A respected singing and piano teacher for over 30 years, Elizabeth has also taught music in primary schools, and directed children’s and facilitated adult choral workshops.
Elizabeth has been Musical Director for Southend Operatic and Dramatic Society, conducting productions of ‘Carousel’, ‘Sweeney Todd’, ‘Hello Dolly’ and ‘Singin’ in the Rain’.
In 2020 Elizabeth completed an MA in Music Therapy at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and currently works as a music therapist in three special schools. In January 2022 Elizabeth accepted the invitation to become Musical Director for ‘Cantare’ and in February was privileged to direct their performance in the memorial concert for Sir David Amess at the Cliffs Pavilion.
Elizabeth is delighted to be working with such a talented and dedicated group of singers.

Andrew Palmer - Accompanist

Andrew Palmer studied music at Surrey University specialising in performance and composition before completing a PGCE teacher training course at Kingston University.
Andrew has worked extensively as accompanist and chorus master with local groups including Trillogy, the Two Elizabeths, Billericay, Southend and Leigh Operatic and Dramatic Societies and also as singing tutor at local stage schools including MAPA and Singer Stage School. He has recently taken on the role of Guest Musical Director of The Show Choir.
Andrew was a local Primary Headteacher for 13 years and is now involved in teacher training and maths tutoring as well as looking after his 3 young grandsons. Andrew is privileged to have been Cantare's accompanist since 2014.