Our Team
Artistic Director
Alison Barton
Trained at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Alison was a professional opera singer for 30 years. In 1991, she represented Scotland in the BBC Singer of the World competition, and her performances have been broadcast nationally and internationally on radio and TV.
In 2001 Alison created Naked Opera, which brought innovative presentation of classical vocal music to communities across Scotland...
Our Board
Patron
Sir Thomas Allen
Sir Thomas Allen is an established star of the great opera houses of the world. At the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, where in 2011 he celebrated the 40th anniversary of his debut with the company, he has sung over fifty roles. The same year he also celebrated the 30th anniversary of his debut at the Metropolitan Opera, New York.
He has been particularly acclaimed for his Billy Budd, Pelléas...
Board Member and Interim Chair
Fiona Tobin
Fiona Tobin hails from County Durham and studied music at the University of Edinburgh. An active choral and solo singer, Fiona has sung with the Chorus of Royal Northern Sinfonia since 2007 and guested with many other groups including Voices of Hope.
Fiona was part of the Learning team at Sage Gateshead for 10 years, helping to create opportunities for people of the North East to engage with mu...
Board Member and Treasurer
Peter Sullivan
Peter Sullivan is a former CIPFA accountant. Originally from Watford, he has lived in the North East since 1986, and has worked for several local authorities (including North Yorkshire County Council and South Tyneside Council) and private sector firms. Within the organisation, he is the Treasurer, responsible for finance matters.
Board Member and Company Secretary
Tony Winfield
Tony Winfield is a retired solicitor and deputy district judge. Originally from Birmingham, he has lived in Sunderland since 1972, and has had a long standing interest in music and drama of all sorts. Within the organisation, he is the Company Secretary and is responsible for legal and regulatory matters.
In Memoriam
Founder
Marj Barton (1937-2014)
Born in Ryhope as the daughter of musicians, Marj trained as a teacher, particularly of history. Music however remained central to her life, and she participated for many years in local operatic productions. She also wrote regularly for the local press, being classical music critic for the Sunderland Echo for many years. Throughout her life, Marj was a practising visual artist. Her pieces have bee...
Board Member and Secretary to the Trustees
Alex Murchie (1946-2021)
Alex Murchie’s professional life was spent at Tyne Tees Television as a researcher and producer of documentaries and current affairs.
For nine years she sat on the Board of Management of Making Music, the national umbrella organisation for amateur musicians. She was a member of the Northern, then North East regional committee from 1992, chairing it from 2008 - 2011. She was Regional A...