Joeske van Walsum
Chairman

 

Joeske began his career as a professional flute player. The challenge was not sufficient and at the age of 25 he founded VWM, on his own, with no capital. For the first four years he supplemented his income by working through the night as a chauffeur. VWM started making its mark 25 years ago when it became associated with launching the careers of artists such as Esa-Pekka Salonen, Mariss Jansons, Mitsuko Uchida, Yuri Bashmet and many more.

Rachel van Walsum

Managing Director

 

Rachel studied music at Durham University where she concentrated on electro-acoustic composition and 20th Century Music. Following positions at the BBC World Service (Studio Manager), Aldeburgh Festival (Concerts Manager & Press Officer) and Bournemouth Orchestras (Head of Public Affairs). Rachel joined VWM in 1995 and was appointed a Director in 1998. She studied the flute and enjoys singing and walking in the French Alps.

 

Clare Harris
PA to Joeske & Rachel van Walsum

 

Clare joined VWM in 2004 and works as the Personal Assistant to the Chairman and Managing Director.

Roderick Thomson
Senior Manager, Artists and Projects

 

Roderick combines Artists and Projects Management and is currently a Board Member of IAMA. He joined VWM in 1981, helping to build up their current extensive portfolio of projects and clients; in particular, he has responsibility for the presentation of the company's activities in the Far East. Roderick is an active cellist and bass player, with a particular enthusiasm for chamber music and jazz.

 

Ekkehard Jung
Artist Manager

 

Following studies in music (violin and viola) and Arts Management in Würzburg and Hamburg, Ekkehard held positions as Orchestra Manager of the Hamburg Symphony Orchestra and as Head of Artistic Planning at Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen. He joined VWM in 2001 as an Artist Manager and Head of the German based office in Hannover and moved to the London office in summer 2005.

Claire Parker

Assistant to the Managers

 

A recent graduate from King's College London, Claire received violin tuition at the Royal Academy of Music and later postgraduate studies in Conducting and Sound Recording at the University of Surrey. In her spare time, Claire enjoys teaching the violin to young beginners and is also a member of the Sinfonia Tamesa Orchestra.

Sally Donegani
Assistant Artist Manager

 

Sally initially studied French, and following jobs in the wine trade and publishing pursued a career in the arts, working firstly for Arts and Business, joining VWM in 1995. She studied singing privately for many years, and maintains an active interest, performing regularly with several of the UK's leading chamber choirs.

Janet Marsden
Assistant Artist Manager

Janet performed in a rock band in Liverpool before studying viola with Nannie Jamieson at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Following post-graduate study in arts management she worked in the marketing department of the London Philharmonic and for Sir John Eliot Gardiner’s period ensembles. She joined VWM in 1997.

Peter Railton

Assistant Artist Manager

 

After studying at the Royal Academy of Music, Peter spent six years as principal horn with two of South Africa's leading orchestras. Returning to London, Peter performed extensively with many of the UK's top orchestras before joining VWM in 2001.

Liz Sam

Assistant Artist Manager

 

Liz joined VWM in 2001 and is currently the Assistant Artist Manager for Olli Mustonen, Juho Pohjonen, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Benjamin Shwartz and Hugh Wolff.

Jordi Martín Mont

Artist Administrator

 

Jordi joined VWM in 2005 and is currently the Artist Administrator for Viviane Hagner, Marie-Elisabeth Hecker, Katia Skanavi, Frank Strobel and Masaaki Suzuki.

 

Elena Silina

Tour Manager

Elena graduated from the St Petersburg Conservatoire with a degree in Musicology and has lived in London since 2000. She is currently working on tours with various orchestras, including Norwegian Chamber Orchestra, Gothenborg Symphony Orchestra, Australian Chamber Orchestra and others.

 

Nicholas Goldwyn

Head of Administration / Tour Manager

 

After a 10-year performing career, Nicholas tuned his administrative management skills with leading firms in environmental, psychology and management consultancy, law, publishing and talent management before joining VWM in 2006. His passion for opera fuses his interests in music, performance, stagecraft, design and architecture.

 

Ben Donaldson

Comunications Administrator

 

A graduate in computer science, Ben joined VWM in 2007 and is responsible among other things for maintaining the company website. In his free time, he enjoys playing the violin in various ensembles with friends.

 

Anthony Guter

Head of Finance

 

With over 35 years of business experience, and as an economics graduate, Chartered Accountant and ex-employee of Virgin and Sega, Anthony is well placed to look after the finances and IT systems at VWM.

 

Gillian Taylor
Credit Controller / Bookkeeper

 

An accountant since 1980 (with 2 years out in the 1990s to train as a veterinary nurse), Gillian looks after VWM’s bookkeeping and credit control. She gained an English degree a very long time ago, and is now studying for a Science degree with the Open University.