EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 2020/21
President
Lara Wassenberg
Lara is a final year BMus student at the University of Leeds. Starting the viola when she was 9 years old, it soon became a great love of hers – especially in a chamber music setting. As well as being heavily involved in Music, Lara has always loved exploring the outdoors and always tries to find time for her next heart-racing adventure. Despite the bizarre circumstances the world seems to be in, she is adamant that this year will be one to remember and strives to create an exciting and enjoyable year ahead for LUUMS members new and old, where great memories and friendships will be made. When Lara is not in the Music department or library catching up on practice or coursework, she can be found with her friends having a coffee or pint. Everyone is more than welcome to grab her for a chat about anything – she always welcomes new faces and loves to hear how everyone’s getting on!
Concerts Manager
Elizabeth Dixon
luums.concertsmanager@gmail.com
Elizabeth is a second year BA Music student at the University of Leeds. Since coming to Leeds, she has been playing the French Horn in the LUUMS Symphony, Chamber and Wind Orchestras and has recently joined the Leeds Symphony Orchestra. Having no previous experience in pit band playing, she has performed in three shows in Leeds and is hoping to continue with this discovered love (and her love for the pub). Elizabeth is excited to be concerts manager this year as well as working alongside the new amazing exec, managers and conductors!
Secretary
Bibi Thomas Gandara
Bibi is currently a second year BA Music student with a love of playing the piano. Originally from Tunbridge Wells, her musical journey began when she was 5 when she started having piano lessons, but it wasn’t until she was 16 when she really decided to take it seriously! During her first year at Leeds University, Bibi was a very keen member of LUUMS, being a part of Symphonic Wind Orchestra and Symphonic Choir. Since her first year with LUUMS was so great, she decided to give being secretary of the society a shot! You will usually find Bibi in the music foyer, practice room or Laidlaw. When Bibi isn’t doing music, she will most likely be doing the Woodhouse Moor Parkrun, eating 45p bourbons from Tesco’s or trying to find the cheapest oat milk.
Publicity Officer
Lydia Hutton
Lydia is currently a third year BA/MA Music and Music psych student from lovely ole Liverpool. Coming from a musical family, Lydia was destined to play an instrument and chose the cello at age 7 as she quite frankly, just wanted to be different from her sister and Dad who played violin ! In both her first and second year she was a keen member of the Symphony orchestra and in second year decided to branch out and turn her hand to percussion within the Brass and Concert band. Lydia is very excited to begin her role on the LUUMS exec and help keep the society as amazing as it already is ! You can find Lydia either in the music foyer procrastinating from work by making some kind of social media design on her laptop, or in old bar hand in hand with a potato stack and pint !
Treasurer
Blae Stacey
Blae (rhymes with bae) is a third year MPhys Physics student from the glorious Wirral who has spent most of her university life to date either creating millions of spreadsheets or hiding from a growing pile of work in Old Bar. Being so indecisive means that, despite Blae being a first study cellist, playing with Symphony Orchestra last year, and previously playing percussion in bands at home, she is now normally found attempting to play some kind of brass instrument in LUUMS Brass Band. Outside of music Blae enjoys failing terribly at pub quizzes and smashing out some maths!
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Social Secretary
Romy Leach
Romy is a second year Music and Music Psychology student studying at Leeds University. Romy, although musically inclined, failed her attempts at learning piano and violin and at the age of 12 realised that the oboe was her true calling due to the fact that playing a "rare" instrument meant she would always get a solo (even if it was just tuning the orchestra...). Romy thoroughly enjoyed playing in Symphony Orchestra in her first year and loves being part of the pit orchestra in the University's musicals. She will often be found (or heard) in Old Bar drinking one pint too many at the after show socials. Romy has taken up the role of social secretary with the aim of finally having a reason to get as many musicians as possible on her level of inebriation. She is excited to use her role to help first years feel welcome within LUUMS through both non-alcoholic and alcoholic social events.
Fundraising & Sponsorship
Lucy Little
Lucy is a cellist and final year French and Spanish student. Since starting uni, LUUMS has been a huge part of her experience, often doing more playing than her actual degree! Her uni highlight has to be being manager of the symphony orchestra in her 2nd year, particularly organising the tour to Amsterdam. Having spent last year in Mexico for her year abroad, Lucy is really looking forward to getting back into music and the society and is super excited to be fundraising and sponsorship officer (she has always loved a good raffle). She can’t wait to meet all the new faces, make lovely music, and, of course, have a pint in the Old Bar.
Departmental Officer
Sam Brockett
Sam is a second year BMus student at the University of Leeds. Although she started out on violin at 5 years old, she found a passion for music when she started the saxophone and singing. During her first year, she was a member of SWO but can’t wait to get involved with many more ensembles this year! She is looking forward to organising lots of exciting events and working with the new exec team!