Meet The Team
From every note, performance and initiative, it is the team and trustees at Hastings International Piano who make it all happen.
Bringing together a mix of creative vision, strategic thinking and a deep passion for music and community building. Each person plays a key role in shaping what we do.
Professor Vanessa Latarche
Artistic Director
A world- renowned piano pedagogue and pianist, with many international competition prize-winners amongst her students, Vanessa has been Artistic Director and president of the jury for Hastings International Piano since 2021.
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Sarah Coop
Development Director
Sarah is a professional fundraiser with 15 years as Development Director at Artichoke, where she secured funding for large-scale outdoor art projects, each averaging £4m.
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Nicky Webb
Communications Director
Nicky is a creative producer, communications consultant, and project manager. She has held a variety of senior roles in arts organisations, including Head of Communications for Glyndebourne
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Ian Brignall
Concerts Director
Born in Hastings, Ian started learning the violin aged 10 and went to Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester. After studying at Dartington College of Arts and the National Centre for Orchestra Studies
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Abby-Lee Widger DChA
Finance Director
Abby is a Finance Director with over 25 years of experience, holding the ICAEW's Diploma in Charity Accounting, recognising her extensive experience within the charity sector.
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Rosa Amor
Learning and Development Coordinator
Rosa has a psychology degree from the University of Bristol where she specialised in behaviour change and how social psychology can be used to help solve contemporary issues.
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Chloe Edwards-Wood
Social Media and Communications Coordinator
Chloe founded Give a Song CIC in 2020. Under her lead, the organisation received widespread coverage including a 5 minute documentary on Morning Live, BBC1
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Mimi Scott
Friends and Patrons Coordinator
After a 25-year career in nursing at the Conquest Hospital, specialising in Child Development, Mimi retired 6 years ago. She sang for many years with the Hastings Philharmonic Choir
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Martin Griffiths
Piano Desk Coordinator
Martin has been volunteering with HIP since 2017. As Piano Desk Coordinator for the competition, he arranges for competitors to practice on pianos in private houses in and around Hastings
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Sarah Searle
Alumni Coordinator
Sarah has had a career in nursing, health, education and hospitality management. After taking early retirement, she joined the team at HIP in 2024, after following the organisation for several years.
Our Trustees
Chair
Sarah Kowitz DL
Born and educated in London, Sarah trained as a reporter in Sussex and worked as a subeditor in print journalism before settling to raise a family. She lived and worked in Asia and America for over ten years and since returning to the UK has been an active supporter of various charities supporting the arts, education, and horticulture. She is a trustee of Hastings International Piano, the Rye Art Gallery,
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the Friends of the Conquest Hospital, a trustee of Fairlight Hall Riding for the Disabled, and a Director of the Community Interest Company which manages Rye Creative. She is a Deputy Lieutenant of East Sussex and was presented with an honorary doctorate from the University of East Anglia in 2019.
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Terry Adams
More than 20 years of experience in senior roles within the arts, cultural, and creative industries. A proven track record in delivering project management and business development support
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Diahann Brown
Diahann has spent more than 10 years running The Rhythm Studio Foundation, a west London youth music charity providing music tuition and performance opportunities for underprivileged young people.
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Sarah Hopwood
A qualified chartered accountant, Sarah is an experienced business leader and CFO with extensive experience in financial services, media and entertainment, family businesses, education and the arts.
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Alistair Keith
Alistair has lived in the South East of England all his life. His interest in classical music began as a child when his dad gave him a second-hand Danzette record player and an old recording of Beethoven's Emperor piano concerto.
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Johnathan Martin
Jonathan Marten studied organ, piano and orchestral conducting at the Royal College of Music. He was Director of Music at a Hastings School and Bexhill Parish Church where he re-established an ‘all male’ choral tradition.
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Charles Strickland
Charles was born in the Old Town of Hastings and since the age of three has lived in St.Leonards- on-Sea. He completed a music degree at City University, London, and began his working life at Glyndebourne Opera.
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Dr Richard Wray
Dr Richard Wray trained as a Consultant Cardiologist and General Physician and worked for many years mainly in Hastings and at King’s College Hospital in London. He held many teaching and training roles within the medical field.
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Jenny Yeo
Born and educated in Cheshire, Jenny studied in Manchester and London as a Speech Therapist specialising in young children, where music was an important part of their learning.