Dan learnt to play the piano at the age of 4 years old. He went on to perform in musical theatre productions at the Lowry with The Mark Stead Theatre School and in local amateur dramatics society such as St Lukes Amateur Dramatics Society in Salford.
Dan had his first taste of choral singing with the Irlam Male Voice choir when he joined at age 15 under the baton of Frank Worsley. Dan worked his way up to Assistant Musical Director until he left in October 2014.
Dan has been with Haydock Male Voice Choir ever since, he has proudly taken Haydock in a number of prestigious concerts and wants Haydock to be a Male Voice Choir that continues to keep the old valued traditions but with a very modern outlook.
Ruth started to learn the piano at the age of five, and later took up the tenor horn and the violin at secondary school and joined the Devon Youth Orchestra. Studying at the RNCM, she graduated in 2003 with a First Class, honours degree, following this with a Postgraduate Diploma, awarded with distinction. She continued her studies for yet another year, as a piano accompaniment scholar, studying with Carole Presland.
While at the RNCM, Ruth joined fellow student Kathryn Eves to form the Hollick-Eves Duo giving recitals throughout the UK and farther afield, performing successfully at competitions and festivals. Amongst their many awards, they gained the RNCM’s highest performing qualification, the “Professional Performance diploma” with Distinction. Ruth has performed extensively as a soloist, chamber musician and accompanist working with many organisations and in renowned venues.
Ruth has been an integral part of the music team at Haydock for the last 12 years, Haydock will always be indebted to Ruth for her talents, patience and professionalism.
Iwan Owen has recently graduated from the Royal Northern College of Music with distinction after completing his Master’s degree. He studied with Benjamin Frith and won the College’s Piano Recital Prize and the Shirley Cattarall Award.
Iwan has enjoyed much success in national and international competitions; a finalist in Keyboard category at the Royal Over-Seas League Competition in February 2016 and, in 2014, he won first prize at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod and the National Eisteddfod of Wales. He has also played in masterclasses for world-renowned pianists such as Paul Badura-Skoda, Nelson Goerner, Pascal Rogé and Phillippe Cassard to name a few.
Iwan’s main focus is accompaniment and chamber music. He has recently joined Ensemble Cymru, an ensemble which brings chamber music to communities around Wales and Chester, and he also performs on the Live Music Now Scheme.
Iwan hails from Anglesey, North Wales and lives in Manchester.