Our Team
Email: student.music@durham.ac.uk
Zac Smith
President | Durham Student Music
Zac is a flautist, tenor singer and conductor in his second year studying music at St John’s. In his first year, Zac was principal flute of Durham University Orchestral Society Symphony Orchestra, The Palatinate Ensemble and Classical Ensemble, the latter for which he served as European Tour Manager. He also held a scholarship with St John’s chapel choir, while also regularly deputizing with other chapel choirs, and also performed in Durham Opera Ensemble’s production of Iolanthe, that won the UniFest competition at the International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival. With a keen love for musical theatre, Zac has also held musical creative roles across 7 productions, including Bonnie + Clyde, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Jesus Christ Superstar and Musically Directing The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole. Alongside his role as Durham Student Music President, Zac is super excited to conduct the Durham University Orchestral Society Chamber Orchestra for their 25/26 season. Outside of Durham, Zac is a deputy junior Lay Clerk at Newcastle Cathedral and he is a member of the National Youth Choir of Great Britain, which included an appearance at the Last Night of the Proms in 2025.
Sam Armstrong
Vice-President | Durham Student Music
Sam is a third year from Northumberland, currently studying Maths at Durham. He has enjoyed playing with the Durham University Big Band, which he will serve as Vice President alongside his role in Durham Student Music. He has also played in various musical theatre productions such as Gala show ‘Anything Goes,’ as well as playing at many more formal events with ‘The Quays’, Durham’s oldest student function band.
Beth Cooley
Treasurer | Durham Student Music
Beth is a clarinettist and sax player with a particular interest in contemporary music, and a second-year Maths student at St Aidan’s College. This year, they played in Durham University Palatinate Orchestra (DUPO), as well as in the pit orchestra for Durham Opera Ensemble’s production of Iolanthe. They play baritone sax in Durham University Big Band (DUBB), and enjoy playing reed parts (occasionally including flute!) in musical theatre pit bands: last year they played for ‘9 to 5’, ‘Merrily We Roll Along’, and ‘The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole’. Outside of Durham, Beth occasionally plays with Equilibrium Symphony Orchestra. Beth is excited to look after DSM’s finances, and work with all societies to facilitate exciting projects and collaborations!
Sammy Jarvis
Co-Publicity Officer | Durham Student Music
Sammy is a second-year music student at Collingwood. In his first year at Durham, he sang with St Chad’s Chapel Choir and performed in Iolanthe with Durham Opera Ensemble. Outside of Durham, he sings with Exultate. An avid lover of Canva, alongside his role as co-publicity officer of DSM, he will also take on the role of Publicity Officer with Durham Opera Ensemble. He is also a pianist and rumour has it he also plays the cello, though a distinct lack of practice renders this unconfirmed!
Jed Godfrey
Co-Publicity Officer | Durham Student Music
Jed is a second-year music student at St John’s, specialising as a pianist and singer. He performs regularly in jam sessions and with the a cappella group Durham Dynamics, for which he is this year’s Assistant Musical Director. With a great passion for musical theatre, in his first year he Co-Directed Adrian Mole, was Musical Director for 48-hr Frozen, played Synthesiser for Rocky Horror, and performed in the Fresher’s Showcase, Sherlock Holmes, and Jesus Christ Superstar. This year, Jed is excited to be heavily involved within both DSM and DST - alongside his role as Co-Publicity Officer for DSM, he will also become President of Bailey Theatre Company. He is looking forward to another exciting year in Music and Theatre.
Olivia McClintock
Outreach Officer | Durham Student Music
Olivia is a second year music student at St Chad’s College. In her first year at Durham University, she sang with St John’s College Chapel Choir and performed as a bassoonist in the Durham University Orchestral Society (DUOS). She has also participated in numerous theatre productions, including touring with Durham Opera Ensemble’s production of Iolanthe and performing in the pit band for DULOG’s production of Crazy for You at the Gala Theatre. As Outreach Officer, Olivia is excited to create performance-focused opportunities that bring together Durham Student Music (DSM) societies, charitable causes, and the local community. She is eager to broaden the range of outreach projects available, helping each society have a greater impact and stronger engagement with student and local audiences alike.
Keira Barrett
Welfare Officer | Durham Student Music
Keira is a second year music student at St John's College. She is a singer and flautist, playing in the Durham University Palatinate Orchestra (DUPO). She held a scholarship with St John's Chapel Choir and regularly deputises with other chapel choirs. She also participated in Durham Opera Ensemble's production of Iolanthe, playing the titular character during its run in the Assembly Rooms Theatre and at the International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival. Outside of university, she is a member of the National Youth Choir of Great Britain. She is looking forward to participating in more amazing music at Durham and is excited to become the Durham Student Music Welfare Officer!
Leo Vernaglione
Social Secretary | Durham Student Music
Leo is a third year Modern Languages student at St Cuths. He has played the trumpet in many musical ensembles in Durham, including the Orchestral Society (DUOS), Palatinate Orchestra (DUPO) and Jazz Orchestra (DUJO). He also enjoys playing in pit orchestras for musical theatre and opera productions and has played in pit orchestras for DULOG and the Durham Opera Ensemble. Musical highlights include the Cathedral concert in 2025 with DUOS, playing Tchaikovsky’s 5th Symphony, DUJO’s first UK tour in March and playing in the pit orchestra for the 2nd term DULOG show of Gershwin’s ‘Crazy for You’ in the Gala Theatre. Leo has also previously served on the committee for DUOS and DUJO and alongside being Social Secretary for DSM, he will act as Vice President for DUOS for 25-26.
Lewis Wilkinson
Manager | Durham University Performing Arts
Lewis is from Durham, and graduated with a music degree from Durham University in 2016. He was then a brass instrumental music teacher with Durham Music Service before completing his Master’s degree in Conducting from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Outside of his work with Durham University Performing Arts, Lewis has a busy and varied portfolio career as a conductor, sousaphonist, trombonist and actor. He is particularly passionate about the cultural and creative links that can be cultivated between the university and its wider community.
Lucille Richards
Student Music Co-ordinator |Durham University Performing Arts
Lucille is a recent English Literature graduate at Durham. Most notably, she has made her mark on the A cappella scene, achieving five national titles over three years with Durham’s flagship A cappella group, Northern Lights. She has performed solos in two of their competition sets at the New York Final and has held the positions of President and Publicity Officer throughout her time in the group. Lucille has also enjoyed singing with The Quays – one of Durham’s leading function bands and is excited to continue to make music over the next year.
In her role, Lucille provides support, advice and resources to orchestras, choirs, and all other classical instrumental & traditional groups, as well as jazz and commercial performers, A cappella groups, and gospel singers.
lucille.j.richards@durham.ac.uk