Elizabeth May

After studying at the Royal College of Music with Graham Mayger and Sebastian Bell, Liz May joined the Orchestra of the Welsh National Opera, where she was Sub-principal flute and Principal piccolo for 13 years until 2000. Since then, she has enjoyed a flourishing freelance career playing piccolo, (often guest Principal), flute and alto flute with, amongst others, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, BBC Symphony Orchestra and the English Symphony Orchestra. She has also played regularly with the Birmingham Contemporary Music Group.

For a year in 2018/2019 Liz was the guest Principal Piccolo with the BBC National orchestra of Wales, a year which included three proms and numerous recordings and concerts. She has also tours regularly with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, often as guest Principal piccolo.

Teaching has always been an immensely rewarding and enjoyable part of Liz’s working life. She has now taught at many different levels and in many institutions for over 30 years, and since 2000 Liz has taught flute and piccolo at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama as well as at Bristol and Cardiff Universities. She has also examined regularly at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and has done much assessing recently at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

In 2020 Liz was the Interim Head of Woodwind at the Royal Welsh College, a position which she thoroughly enjoyed, and she is delighted to continue with her teaching and coaching within the department.