LUUMS Committee 2025/26
LUU Music Society is pleased to introduce our New Members Representative, Daniel Phillips!
Find out more about Dan and his role in LUUMS!
President
El Clarke
El Clarke is Master’s level student studying Musicology. Originally from Essex, El was a member of Essex Youth Orchestra and Essex Youth Symphonic Wind Orchestra as a percussionist and occasional pianist. Since joining LUUMS in their first year, El has performed with most ensembles as a percussionist and singer, and also conducted the Symphony Orchestra last year, which they will be continuing this year.
LUUMS is a highlight of their university life, particularly being a part of Percussion Ensemble and Sinfonia. As President, El is very excited to be leading this society in its centenary anniversary and work with new members and alumni to create a commemorative event. Although they can be frequently found in the School of Music foyer, El is a frequent patron of Brudenell Social Club, Hyde Park Book Club and The Domino Jazz Club (or anywhere with live music)! Outside of their musical interests, they are an amateur cat whisperer who loves baking and cooking and spending rainy days playing cosy games and painting.
Secretary
Jasmine Lee
Jasmine is in her third-year studying Music and Music Psychology and is originally from Hong Kong. She lives in Milton Keynes and has been playing the flute since she was 7, achieving a performance diploma with distinction in 2023. Earlier this year, Jasmine also endeavoured into conducting and is delighted to begin her Assistant Conductor Internship with Opera North Youth Orchestra.
She has absolutely loved participating in various LUUMS ensembles since her first year, including Symphony Orchestra, Sinfonia, Chorus, Symphonic Choir, and notably in SWO as their manager and principal flute last year! Jasmine has thoroughly enjoyed being a part of LUUMS, especially because of their friendly atmosphere and being able to meet so many like-minded people! As a result, she is looking forward to taking on the role as secretary, where she can meet many more musicians. She also hopes to promote more music opportunities for the society in the coming year and is eager to take on the rather intimidating role of organising the busy audition week!
Treasurer
Ollie Smith
Ollie is an Environment Science student from Brighton, currently on their placement year working at the university’s Sustainability Service! They have played euphonium and trombone since the ages of 10 and 18 respectively, as a member of both Brighton & Hove Youth Wind Orchestra and Hangleton Brass Band.
Since joining LUUMS, they have performed with 8 out of 11 ensembles, and briefly picked up percussion last year. Additionally, they have held the roles of Fresher’s Rep, Publicity Officer and Concert Band Conductor (alongside Ben Allen), and are excited to take on the roles of SWO Conductor and Treasurer for this year! Ollie is looking forward to taking care of LUUMS finances, putting their excel skills to good use and continuing their reputation as top yapper in committee meetings. Outside of LUUMS, Ollie can be found on a whimsical woodland walk, playing any game they can get their hands on (hoping their laptop/Nintendo Switch doesn’t explode) or on a train.
Concerts Manager
Bethan Cole
Bethan is a BA Music student from Newport, in South Wales. They started playing harp at 5, and flute at 8, leading to them playing in a number of both local and national ensembles and playing in a number of prestigious places such as the Royal Albert Hall, London and Symphony Hall, Birmingham.
They have a love for musical theatre and they had the privilege of being the harpist for the National youth musical theatres Premier production of the original show, “Henrietta”. This year, they’re looking forward to planning and managing all the concerts that are taking place and encouraging more soloist and small groups to participate in the solo and chamber concerts. Outside of music, they enjoy going for long walks, baking and reading.
Publicity Officer
Juliette Poon-Jamin
Juliette Poon-Jamin is a second-year Physics student from London. She has been playing the violin, piano and singing for as long as she can remember and has performed in variety of ensembles from string quartets to acapella groups to being in the pit band for musicals. She also has a love for musical theatre and has been performing on stage ever since she was 6, her favourite musical performed being ‘Grease’.
Juliette is looking forward to designing and creating programmes and posters for this upcoming year, as well as working together with the 2025 – 2026 team. She also wants to be able to encourage more people to enjoy LUUMS and make it accessible for everyone to enjoy performing music. Outside of LUUMS, she enjoys playing volleyball, reading, scrapbooking and various different artsy hobbies. A fun-fact about Juliette is that she has perfect pitch!
Communications Officer
Ashruta Uttara Mani
Ashruta Mani is a percussionist and composer from Chennai, India, currently based in West Yorkshire. Having dual specialisms goes a long way, as she particularly enjoys writing music that she can perform herself. She has been an active performer in LUUMS since 2021 and has finally decided to join the committee four years later! She not-so-secretly loves making spreadsheets, so she’s very excited to help run the society this year. .
More recently, she has focused on researching gesture and movement within percussion performance, which has significantly shaped her own practice. During her time at Leeds, Ashruta has performed with the Sinfonia of Leeds, York Symphony Orchestra and Yorkshire Wind Orchestra, establishing her as an upcoming percussionist in West Yorkshire.
As a graduate, she continues to develop her compositional portfolio and hopes to perform her music in Leeds more frequently! Alongside her undergraduate degree she co-founded the LUUMS percussion ensemble in 2022 with the aim of making the instrument group more accessible to new percussionists.
Fundraising & Sponsorship Officer
Isabelle Caley
Isabelle Caley is a second-year student pursuing a degree in Music and Music Psychology. Her love for music began at the age of six, when she started violin lessons and became an active member of her town’s orchestra. Alongside her instrumental studies, Isabelle began vocal training at age seven. She quickly developed a strong affinity for musical theatre, earning distinctions up to Grade 7 in vocal performance. Her singing reflects both technical precision and emotional depth, with a particular love for musical theatre classics.
In her free time, Isabelle immerses herself in a wide variety of musical theatre pieces, showcasing her dedication and enthusiasm beyond formal study. Following university, she aspires to pursue a career in music therapy. this year she is so excited to be Fundraising and Sponsorship Officer for LUUMS and is looking forward to organising fundraising events and helping with the organisation for LUUMS 100.
Events Secretary
Oliver MacKinnon
Oli is a third-year English Student from St. Albans with a special love for memoir and biography. A member of LUUMS since the very beginning of his university journey, he can’t wait to be organising the events for the society’s 100th Year. Throughout his time in Leeds so far, Oli has managed Symphonic Choir, held the role of Wellbeing and Inclusivity Officer, and been a member of the LUUMS Chamber Choir (he also claims to care deeply about his uni work).
Oli has always been passionate about singing, taking part in a variety of different styles, from choral groups to rock choirs to full-blown theatre productions. One of his favourite musical memories is singing Roxanne from ‘Moulin Rouge’ live on stage at the Hammersmith Apollo. LUUMS has continually challenged and expanded Oli’s perceptions of himself and the world around him.
As well as being this year’s Events Secretary and Chamber Choir manager, he’s so excited to make new friendships, strengthen old ones, and continue to learn new things. Outside of his busy schedule, Oli loves to escape to the country for a long walk, and listen for hours on end to his poetic and musical idol, Miss Joni Mitchell.
Social Secretary
Elinor Johns
Elinor Johns a third-year Music and Music Psychology student from Bath. She began singing in Bath Abbey Children’s Choir at age 7 and then went on to spend 7 years there as a chorister, performing in various places across Europe and recording for TV and radio. By 18, she’d achieved grade 8 in both singing and piano.
Since coming to Leeds, Elinor has enjoyed singing with the LUUMS Chorus, Symphonic Choir, and Chamber Choir, as well as being a choral scholar at Leeds Cathedral for two years. Some of Elinor’s favourite memories from LUUMS over the past two years have come from the socials, and as social secretary (in addition to co-conducting Symphonic choir), she is super excited to continue organising a variety of fun and inclusive events for everyone to enjoy, ensuring that everyone feels welcome and comfortable in the society, with a diverse range of activities across the year!
Wellbeing & Inclusivity Officer
Cecily Graham
Cecily Graham s a postgraduate performance student based in Edinburgh, originally from Kent. She has a deep passion for choral singing and conducting, and has had the privilege of performing in iconic venues such as Westminster Abbey and the Menin Gate in Belgium. During her undergraduate studies, she held a choral scholarship at Leeds Cathedral, sang regularly with LUUMS choirs, and later began playing percussion with the LUUMS Percussion Ensemble and Brass Band.
In her second year at the University of Leeds, Cess served as Social Secretary for LUUMS, helping to build a vibrant and supportive musical community. For her third year, she moved to Australia, where she travelled widely and developed interests in photography, astronomy, and Indigenous cultures. Returning to Leeds for her final year,
Cess wrote her dissertation on how Indigenous Australians have used music as a form of resistance to colonialism, inspired by her time abroad. Her final recital featured repertoire by Gustav Mahler, Alma Mahler, and Richard Strauss. She also holds a deep admiration for artists such as Freddie Mercury, Billy Joel, and Elton John. Now returning to the LUUMS committee as Welfare Officer, Cess is passionate about creating a safe, inclusive, and heart-led space for all. Grounded in her love for people and her passion for meditation, she aims to support each individual’s musical journey, personal growth, and overall well-being within the LUUMS community.
Departmental Representative
Sarah Hobson
Sarah is a second-year Music student from Devon who specialises in the clarinet and bass clarinet and has played in multiple ensembles around Devon like Tiverton Concert Band. She really enjoys playing classical music and wind band music. She’s extremely excited to be the new departmental rep for LUUMS and has a lot of ideas about diversifying the workshops that are provided by the music society.
In her first year at Leeds, she’s been part of multiple ensembles within LUUMS and has found it extremely beneficial in helping her settle into uni life. Her favourite concert memory has to be the summer Symphony Orchestra concert during the third movement of Price’s first symphony. Outside of music, she really enjoys reading, painting and going for walks around areas she has yet to explore. A fun fact about Sarah is that she once had 4 golden retrievers at one time.
New Members Representative
Daniel Phillips
Daniel is a second-year Natural Sciences student from Cardiff. He has been playing the Cello and Piano since he was very young, performing with ensembles such as the Cardiff Youth Orchestra and also in pit bands for musical theatre, including The Phantom of the Opera and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. He has even dabbled in theatre onstage, performing in the cast of West Side Story!
After a disrupted first year, joining Sinfonia has been a highlight of Dan’s second year so far. He is excited for his role within LUUMS as New Members Rep and hopes to ensure LUUMS is as welcoming as possible for all new members, wherever they may be in their university journey.
Outside of LUUMS, Dan loves attending gigs throughout the city whether it be pop or heavy metal! He is also a keen outdoorsman who you will regularly find camping all around Wales (when it’s warm enough to do so that is!).
Leeds University Union Music Society 