About us - CMC2019

Fabian joined Cheddar Male Choir as Director of Music in September 2012. Fabian, who originally hails from Germany, had previously studied in Ireland (Cork and Limerick), where he spent most of his younger years. Fabian conducted several choirs and a chamber orchestra in Ireland, and since moving to Bristol he has conducted the Harlequin Singers, Redland Liedertafel, the Filtones, and Portishead Town Band, among others. He is the author of a book about British composer Frank Bridge, and he occasionally finds time to compose and arrange choral music.

Andrea Monk is an accomplished pianist and accompanist with over four decades of professional experience spanning teaching, live performance, and musical collaboration. Her musical journey began at age seven in Taunton, where she was influenced as much by her formal piano studies as by the diverse records in her family’s collection—from Scott Joplin to Roxy Music.

By 14, Andrea was already working as a rehearsal pianist for a local ballet company, developing the instinctive timing required to lead dancers through complex routines. At 16, she expanded her skills as a pianist for a repertory theatre, mastering the art of following performers.

At 21, she launched her freelance career, becoming a piano teacher, live accompanist, and event performer. Her repertoire has covered weddings, private events, and stage shows alike.

Andrea has provided musical direction and accompaniment for a wide array of live productions, including Honk! and Zombie Prom at Weston College, Bugsy Malone and The Wizard of Oz with local junior schools, and The Boyfriend and Pirates of Penzance at Worle School. Her diverse stage experience even includes a two-year run with the Somerset-based rock band TRRAMP, performing hits from Metallica to U2.

In 2014, Andrea joined forces with operatic comedy duo The Bluebirds—Sasha Herriman and Tami Tal—appearing in the cabaret show Berlin Cabaret at Glastonbury Abbey and venues throughout Somerset.

Andrea continues to mentor students in one-to-one piano lessons, also crafting bespoke arrangements tailored to their individual skill levels. Her role as a choral accompanist has flourished recently with appointments to The People’s Show Choir in Weston-super-Mare in 2024 and the Cheddar Male Voice Choir in 2025.

Rachel has been playing the piano since the age of 8, later studying at Filton College in Bristol and the Royal Academy of Music in London until 1978. She then worked for the DWP for the next 33 years but continued her musical activities in Bristol and North Somerset. She has worked with numerous musical theatre companies, as accompanist or Musical Director, for around 50 years.

Rachel was, until recently, the accompanist/assistant MD for the Northavon Singers in Filton, with whom she had been involved since 1996. She is currently (from 2016) the accompanist/arranger/assistant MD for Worle Community Choir and is also a member of the Clevedon-based ladies’ singing ensemble, Miscellany, as their accompanist, arranger and part-time second alto. Rachel has regularly accompanied students of all ages for vocal/instrumental exams at festivals in the South West, and has been one of the official accompanists for Nailsea Festival since 2010. She is very happy to be associated with Cheddar Male Choir as their “reserve” accompanist.