WHO WE ARE
We're a friendly bunch here at GAMD and we like you to be able to put a face to the name.
Amy Hagerty BA(hons)
DIRECTOR
Amy has been surrounded by music her whole life. Taught the flute by her father, she first joined the Greenwich Youth Band aged 9 years old. As a teenager she was principal flautist in the London Schools Symphony orchestra and won local musical festivals including Young Musician of the year – Bexley and Bromley. Performance venues included the Royal Albert Hall, Royal Festival hall and the Barbican. As an adult musician, Amy has played and recorded with various ensembles in London on flute. She is also a talented jazz singer and has sung with several highly regarded South London big bands as well as performing ‘We’ll meet again’ and ‘White Cliffs of Dover’ for Vera Lynn! She now also sings professionally with the vintage harmony group – Company 3. Amy has worked in a range of schools over the last 24 years as a music specialist, teacher, then deputy head teacher in a school for children with severe learning difficulties. She currently combines being a Music Teacher in a local primary school with being Director of the Greenwich Academy of Music and Drama, conducting the Greenwich Concert Band and performing with Company 3. As director of Greenwich Academy of Music and Drama, Amy conducts the Greenwich Wind Ensemble, Greenwich Community Choir and Greenwich Youth band and hosts successful concerts throughout the year.
Claire PEARCY
GREENWICH WIND ENSEMBLE
Claire is a music specialist with over 20 years of teaching experience both instrumentally and in the classroom. She is a music teacher at a local primary school, as well as running the highly successful Boppin' Bunnies classes in Eltham, for young children and babies.Claire plays the clarinet with Greenwich Concert Band, as well as singing with 'Belles' and vintage harmony group 'Company 3'.
ANNA SIMMONS
GREENWICH COMMUNITY CHOIR
Anna is a singer and actress who enjoys music and theatre of all shapes and sizes. She is very glad to be sharing the joy of music making in the community with such lovely people!​Theatre includes: Confidante and Cover Madame Giry in Phantom of The Opera (UK and Ireland Tour); Marianne, Sense & Sensibility (UK Tour); Young Cathy, Wuthering Heights (UK Tour); U/s and played Liesl in The Sound of Music (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre); Belle, A Christmas Carol (UK Tour). Principle Singer, An Evening with Sir Tim Rice (Seabourn Ovation, Seabour
LAURA SWADKIN
GREENWICH YOUTH BAND
Laura studied Music at King’s College London, and trained as a principal study clarinettist at the Royal Academy of Music. She has spent the last fifteen years working in a variety of local schools, most recently as Head of Music at Bexley Grammar School, before joining Eltham College in 2018. Laura is currently acting Director of Music at Eltham College.In 2007, she and Amy set up the Greenwich Academy of Music and Drama. As one of the principal conductors of the Greenwich Youth Band; highlights have included performing / conducting at the Barbican, Royal Festival Hall, Blackheath Halls and Disneyland in Paris. A highlight of 2020 was conducting the Band of the Irish Guards in a joint concert with the Greenwich Youth Band at the Guards’ Chapel.
