Lisa Tregale - CEO & Artistic Director

Lisa Tregale is a Devonian and lives in Exeter. At school Lisa trained as a classical saxophonist, vocalist, clarinettist and flautist. Due to the fact that her local comprehensive school did not offer A level music Lisa won a musical scholarship to attend Blundell s School, Tiverton where her musicality thrived, receiving training from John Harle and Will Gregory and made her London solo debut at the age of 16 in the Purcell Room, South Bank. A music graduate from the University of York, Lisa studied saxophone with Rob Buckland and voice with Teresa Cahill.

During her time at York Lisa became the Orchestra Manger and soon developed skills as a percussionist performing under conductor/composers such as David Blake, Roger Marsh and Bernard Rands and with groups such as the University Big Band, York New Music Group, Symphony Orchestra and Pumpkin Theatre. Lisa decided she wanted a musical management career while on a work experience placement with the BBC Symphony Orchestra working on Harrison Birtwistle's Mask of Orpheus education project.

From this Lisa was offered the position of 'Chief Trog' (a volunteer helper) at the Dartington International Summer School (DISS), later joining the organisation as the Administrator in 1996 before being appointed as the Executive Producer in 1998. In this role she worked with Artistic Director Gavin Henderson in the development of one of the most successful summer schools and festivals in the country. Lisa was also a performer at DISS working with artists and ensembles such as Concillium, The Dartington Festival Orchestra, Ensemble Bash, Alan Hacker, Issie Barratt and Herbie Flowers. Whilst as Dartington, Lisa participated fully in the UK and European cultural sectors gaining experience in posts such as Executive Board member of the British Arts Festival Association, working for Arts Council England South West advisors network and grants panels.

As an active member of the European Festivals Association 'new wave' programme she advised on the development of a programme of training for young cultural managers across the whole of Europe. In 2001 Lisa was honoured with the role of Vice President of the Conference of Promoters of New Music based in the internationally renowned Gaudeamus Foundation, Amsterdam.

In March 2004, Lisa became Director of Beaford Arts, a rural arts organisation and educational residential centre working with young people and communities across northern Devon and the beyond. During her time at Beaford Arts Lisa was selected to be a participant on the South West's Creating Cultural Leadership programme, which is a scheme supported by University of Exeter, Culture South West and Dartington Creative Enterprise (DCE).

In November 2006 Lisa was appointed to create South West Music School,  a centre for advanced training of exceptionally talented young musicians aged between 8 and 18 supported by the Department for Education. Through this role she plays an active role in shaping music and music education agendas/strategies on the national level. She also works as a freelance arts advisor/consultant and sits on the Steering Group for Music Leader, South West.  Lisa is still an active participant in the South West music scene performing music from classical to modern jazz/funk. In June 2011 Lisa became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.