Jess Tomlinson
Jessica Tomlinson is a clarinet and saxophone player from Manchester, passionate about creating exciting, accessible and engaging performances. She has an active freelance career splitting her time with performance and therapeutic music. Recent playing highlights have included the JAMES UK tour and album recording, Oliver! at Leeds Playhouse, Thursford Christmas Spectacular and dep work with the BBC Philharmonic orchestra and Wicked tour UK. Alongside performance work, Jess is a Live Music Now musician and has worked as musician in residence at an SEND school in Liverpool for the last three years. She is also a music-for-health practitioner at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and has recently had her research in this area published in music therapy journal “Approaches”.
Jess graduated in 2018 from the RNCM with a Distinction Masters, studying with Nicholas Cox, Antonio Salguero and John Bradbury. She previously studied at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance graduating with First Class Honours, under the tutorage of Michael Whight. As part of her training, she played side by side with members of the LSO, BSO and Manchester Camerata, took part in the Hallé professional experience scheme and performed at the Bridgewater Hall, Cantiere Music Festival, Southbank centre and Cadogan Hall.
Jess plays an active role in other small arts businesses, thriving off the variety of her work. She runs training sessions for Songbirds Music UK, for music and medical students to learn about the therapeutic benefits of music in hospitals, and has a managerial role with the Citizens of the World choir, the UK’s leading refugee choir. Similarly she is creative administrator for The Rig, a musical playground and installation taken to arts events and festivals and runs workshops for organisations such as Band on the Wall.
Get to know us
Cara Houghton
Flute, Piccolo, Alto Flute,
Cara Houghton is a Mancunian flautist currently living in London after gaining her Master of Music in Performance degree from the Royal College of Music in 2023. She is an accomplished performer, teacher and writer, with a passion for bringing musical experiences to a wide audience through education and performance.
Sarah Austen
Soprano and Alto Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute
Sarah is a Manchester based Saxophonist who has just finished her postgraduate studies at the RNCM. She loves performing and teaching and is especially passionate about music in community projects and exploring the therapeutic applications of music. As a Reed Doubler, Sarah also enjoys playing in pit bands for musicals.
Eleanor Mills
Basson, Baritone Saxophone, Clarinet
Principally a bassoonist Eleanor also frequently plays saxophone, clarinet and flute. She is an active freelancer, often playing in pit orchestras, including recently playing in the Hope Mill’s 2019 Christmas Show 'The Astonishing Times of Timothy Cratchitt'. In summer 2019, she played with the Halle after a year long professional experience scheme through RNCM.