DSM Executive Committee
If you have any questions or queries, please reach to the team via email: student.music@durham.ac.uk
Zac Smith
President | Durham Student Music
Zac is a flautist, tenor singer and conductor in his third year studying music at St John’s. In his time at Durham so far, he has held principal flute roles with DUOS Symphony, DUPO Symphony, The Palatinate Ensemble and Classical Ensemble. He has also previously held choral scholarships with University College and St John’s College Chapel Choirs. Zac has also held musical creative roles across 10 productions, including Sweeney Todd, Jesus Christ Superstar and most recently Musical Director of Will Todd’s Alice Adventure’s in Wonderland. Alongside his role as Durham Student Music President, Zac conducts the Durham University Orchestral Society Chamber Orchestra and the Dunelm Consort of Players. Outside of Durham, Zac is a 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 BBC 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!
Sam Caskie
Secretary | Durham Student Music
Sam is a second year studying Maths at Durham. He plays trombone in jazz and orchestral groups, having played with Durham University Orchestral Society and being a frequent attendee of the Jazz Society's Jam Nights. He has also sung in choirs including Durham University Choral Society and Foot Notes A Capella, the latter of which he will be conducting as well as his role as Secretary of Durham Student Music. He also frequently plays for musical theatre productions on the bass guitar, some highlights being RENT and Carrie, and playing the accordion in Alice's Adventures In Wonderland for Durham Opera Ensemble. He also performs at many events with one of Durham's most popular function bands, Basement Jazz, which he will be serving as musical director for.
Katherine Iveson-Vandy
Alumni and Sponsorship Officer| Durham Student Music
Katherine is currently studying a Masters in Psychology at St Chads College after completing her undergraduate degree in Music. Throughout her time at Durham, Katherine has played an active role within the university music scene and has been a violinist for Durham University Orchestral Society (DUOS), Durham University Palatinate Orchestra (DUPO) and Dunelm Consort and Players. Katherine is also an active member of the North East Film Orchestra (NEFO), and a local violin teacher. Outside of playing her violin, Katherine also enjoys singing with the Durham University Choral Society (DUCS), and used to sing for St Chads College Chapel Choir. Katherine is also the Marketing Manager for Thwaites Fine Stringed Instruments, and is super excited to use her knowledge to help enrich the Durham Student Music experience!
Louis Allen
Publicity Officer | Durham Student Music
Louis is studying a Master’s in Music at the College of St Hild and St Bede. Having spent three years at Durham, Louis has immersed himself within the music making spheres, particularly within the choral scene. Having sung in and directed the chapel choirs of Grey College and St Cuthbert’s Society, Louis is currently with Hild Bede Chapel Choir. Within the DSM arena, Louis was Associate Conductor of Durham University Choral Society (DUCS) and is looking forward to another year of singing with the choir, as well as in Durham University Chamber Choir (DUCC) as Associate Conductor. Louis is looking forward to publicise all things DSM, and to support the marketing and publicity of all DSM societies throughout the year!
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