Wai-Yin (Amanda) Li finished her postgraduate studies at the Royal Northern College of Music, studying with Lynne Dawson. Before that, she studied with Christian Immler at Royal Holloway, University of London, where she obtained her Masters degree in Performance Studies. She has performed in various cities including London, Manchester, Prague and Tokyo, where she sang with the Asian Youth Choir (2002, 04).
Operatic roles include "Second Lady" (Dido and Aeneas) and "Fenena" (Nabucco); and excerpt performances of "Ginevra" (Ariodante), "Adina" (L'elisir d'amore) and "Ilia" (Idomeneo). She also took part in the RNCM productions of La Rondine, The Threepenny Opera and The Cunning Little Vixen.
Oratorio repertoires include Christmas Oratorio (Bach), Nelson Mass, St. Nicholas Mass (Haydn), Exultate Jubilate, Coronation Mass, C minor Mass (Mozart), Stabat Mater, Petite Messe Solennelle (Rossini) and Missa Brevis (Kodály).
Born in 1946 and raised in Dysart, a win on the football pools meant that he found himself wearing a kilt and having piano lessons. He was the eldest of a family of one, which condemned him to a childhood of never growing into cast offs or being aware of the concept of pecking orders. It was poor preparation for filling the coal pail for the infant room fire at Dysart School or the shriek of pencil on slate.
John Morrison, for decades a conductor of the Choral, was his mentor for many years and during this period memorable events include soloist in Faust in 1967, stand-in conductor for Messiah and Schutz Christmas Oratorio in 1970, and having his hair set on fire by an exploding lamp during the Petite Messe Solennelle in 1972. Bob first conducted KCU in 1988.
Having retired in 2006 after a career spent drifting steadily further from the notions of imparting knowledge, to disciplinary eunuch, it was hardly surprising that an activity where absolute authoritarianism was not only desirable, but indeed demanded, was attractive.
In Frank's words, "We'll do it My Way"
In 2007, Bob was delighted to accept the post of Honorary Vice-President, in recognition of his services to the Choral.
Alex MacDonald - rehearsal accompanist
Alex was born and grew up in Rugby in Warwickshire. He played piano, harpsichord, trumpet and cornet during his formative years, before studying piano at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. He then trained as a secondary school music teacher, before becoming a piano instructor for Fife Council.
Besides music, he enjoys hillwalking and keeping fit. He lives with his wife and daughter in Dunblane.
