Ben England BEM is an internationally renowned musician and educator, whose innovative work with online choirs is setting new directions for choral music globally.  He started both Choir of the Earth and Homechoir during the COVID-19 pandemic and has since led choirs of thousands in performances of the great classical works, as well as developing techniques to bring music and a sense of community to those in isolation around the world.  He has worked with some of the industry’s finest musicians and ensembles, most recently as a chorus master for the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra under Sir Mark Elder, and alongside great composers such as John Rutter CBE and Patrick Hawes.  His contribution to choral music and the community was recognised by Queen Elizabeth II in her birthday Honours 2020, when he was awarded the British Empire Medal as one of 400 ‘COVID heroes’ nationally.  He has since been commended by the Royal Philharmonic Society for an outstanding contribution to music, nominated for the ‘Inspiration’ award at the Music and Drama Education awards 2022 and was awarded the 2022 Alumni Award for Community Impact and Engagement by the University of Bristol (his alma mater).  Ben lives and works in South Gloucestershire, is married and has two wonderful (musical) children.