ADJUDICATORS AND ACCOMPANISTS 2026
Biographical Notes
KAY TUCKER AGSM, ARCM, LTCL, PGCA, MISM
Kay was born in Sheffield, Yorkshire and began studies on the cello at the age of 12, continuing studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Her portfolio career has combined teaching and adjudicating with performing as a soloist, chamber musician and orchestral player.
Since 1998, Kay has been in popular demand as an Adjudicator throughout the UK, having worked at well over 200 festivals including the National Festival of Music for Youth. ‘Encouragement’ is a key word in all aspects of Kay’s work and she has great joy in working alongside musicians of all ages, particularly the very young.
Kay’s passion for teaching led her to develop an early years strings & general musicianship system known as ‘Stringbabies’. Since its inception in 2004, ‘Stringbabies’ has become well established and accepted as a leading approach in strings teaching (surprisingly to all ages!) and is being delivered throughout the UK and abroad in individual teaching practices, schools and music services.
In 2016, Musicbabies for Recorder was published, being the first adaptation of Stringbabies for a non-stringed instrument. Kay works in partnership with Victoria College Examinations in delivering a bespoke Stringbabies Award for beginner string players and also with Charanga, who are publishing the violin and cello Stringbabies books on their e-learning platform. In 2013 and 2014, Stringbabies was shortlisted for the Inaugural Rhinegold Music Teachers Awards for Excellence in music education. In 2014 Kay was also a finalist in the BBC Community Heroes Awards in Education in respect of her work in developing ‘Stringbabies’.
Over recent years, Kay worked as a consultant to Trinity Guildhall, selecting and co-selecting repertoire for graded exams and diplomas. Kay was a Trustee and member of the Executive council of the European String Teacher’s Association (ESTA). In 2018 she was presented with the ESTA award for exceptional services, in recognition of her work in initiating the Post Graduate Certificate in string teaching accredited by Chichester University. In 2009, Kay co-founded Horsham Performers Platform and for 10 years served as Chair, continuing as Co-Chair from 2019.
Kay became an Adjudicator Member of the British and International Federation of Festivals in 1997 and undertook the Post-graduate Certificate in Adjudication in 1999/2000.
CAROLINE DIFFLEY ARCM
Caroline studied at the Royal College of Music and spent a term at the Academia Chigiana in Siena. Her first teaching post was at the Kent Music School. She moved first to Oxford, where she taught at the Dragon School, and later to Devon where she was a tutor at Dartington College of Arts and also taught at Wells Cathedral School for eleven years.
She has been an ABRSM examiner for many years, examining all over the world. She is also a diploma examiner and has been a Music Medals moderator. As well as her work as an adjudicator for The British and International Federation of Festivals, Caroline runs a busy private teaching practice in Exeter.
MARIA JAGUSZ GRNCM, FISM
Maria Jagusz trained as a dancer before taking up a place at the Royal Northern College of Music where she was awarded the Ricordi Prize for Opera. Further scholarships enabled her to continue her studies at the National Opera Studio.
As a singer Maria has worked as soloist for most of the leading opera companies in the U.K and Europe. Her roles include Carmen, Cherubino, Orlofsky, Hansel, Dorabella and Rosina. She has performed with many of the worlds leading singers including Domingo, Carreras, Freni and Dame Felicity Lott. Her last role was Filipevna in Eugene Onegin for Mid Wales Opera just before lockdown. She is a keen recitalist and a regular soloist for choral societies in the U.K.
As a teacher Maria has specialised in training students who are hoping to have professional careers in the world of opera and musical theatre. As well as her private teaching practise she is vocal consultant for the International College of Music Theatre in London.
In order to give students the experience they need to succeed in this competitive industry she formed MJ-UK Music and Arts, As part of their training Maria believes that getting as much performing experience both in concert and on stage is vital for the development of young talent.
She arranges many concerts both in the Cotswolds and in Cornwall where young singers can get the chance to perform in a safe welcoming environment. For MJ-UK she has directed Carmen, Bastien and Bastienne, Dido and Aneas, Les Miserables, West Side Story, Secret Garden, Jesus Christ Superstar, Seussical and most recently a production of “The Marriage of Figaro” for Stroud Arts Festival.
Maria is emerging casting advisor for Longborough Festival Opera’s Young Artists programme.Operas she has directed for them include Little Sweep, Dido and Aneas, La Boheme ,Sweeney Todd and Orfeo Ed Euridice.For the past three years Maria has been director of “Playground Opera ” for Longborough Festival Opera .The company has toured a children’s version of Hansel and Gretel and Carmen which has been seen by over a thousand children.This summer the company will be devising a piece based on L’Elisir D’Amore.
