About Us

Meet the team behind the Mid Wessex Singers

Alice Dicker

Musical Director

Alice grew up in Somerton, and started learning the clarinet age 10. She was one of the earliest members of the Somerton Festival Band, and won the Somerton Arts Festival ‘Young Musician of the Year’ on several occasions. At 13 she passed her grade 8 and subsequently earned a music scholarship to Queens College in Taunton. At 17, while studying for her AS Levels, Alice was awarded the Diploma of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, for performance.

After finishing her sixth form studies, Alice was one of 8 clarinettists accepted to the Royal Welsh College of Music that year. During her time there, she took the opportunity to study many facets of music – from conducting and performance coaching, through to Alexander Technique, and Music Therapy. After re-locating back to Somerset, Alice played in local bands and orchestras, as well as performing solo concerts including the Somerton Arts Festival, and Music by the Lakes in Thorney. Alice also became the Musical Director for a local concert band, only leaving when she had her youngest daughter. After a car accident interrupted her instrumental career in 2017, Alice has refocused on the voice. Her students range from beginners to diploma level, currently aged 15 to 76, and she is also the Musical Director for the South Petherton Combined Arts Society Choir.

Alice has been Musical Director for the Mid Wessex Singers from their 2021/22 season on and and is delighted to be involved in the Somerton community once again.

Sheena Smith

Accompanist, Secretary

Sheena graduated with a B. Mus. from Edinburgh University, then P.G.C.E. from Homerton College, Cambridge. She began her teaching career in Cambridge at the two Sixth Form Colleges, then moved to Somerset, mostly in Secondary music teaching. Highlights of those years included being Musical Director of very successful school productions, with some challenging musicals such as Blood Brothers and Sweeney Todd.

Later, with the Somerset Music Service, she taught mostly woodwind, but included some class teaching, ages 7 to 17. Sheena spent many years enjoying being in charge of the musical fun and games for the local Long Sutton Pantomime Society before joining Mid Wessex singers as accompanist.