Meet the Team

Leigh Wolmarans
Leigh is honoured and proud to be the CEO and joint Artistic Director of Silhouette Youth and cannot think of a better job than working with young people on a daily basis. He has had the privilege of being a teacher, Deputy Headteacher and Headteacher in three incredible schools in London and Northampton and has seen first-hand the impact that the Performing Arts can have on young people.
Leigh has been involved in theatre since University and cannot count the amount of productions directed or been involved in. From Terry Pratchett’s “Mort”, to “Jesus Christ Superstar” to “The Breakfast Club” all starring young people as they truly bring an energy to the stage that cannot be matched! 
Leigh has worked with a vast range of companies and individuals but his work with the RSC is a definite stand out.

Samantha Burnham
Sam trained at London Studio Centre and on finishing her 3 year training, she was asked to teach Jazz Matt Mattox Dance at the London Studio. Sam then danced in a pantomime (to gain her equity card) with
Christopher Biggins and Les Dennis in “Mother Goose” in  Swansea.
Her West End credits include “Tantomile and Demeter” Cats, “Wrench” Starlight Express and “Rita Adams” South Pacific.
Sam has also appeared in many West End charity productions (including “Le Cage”, “The Rink”, “Mack and Mabel” and “Hey Mr Producer”) and appeared in music videos with Freddie Mercury and Gary Moore. Sam has also performed at multiple Royal Variety Performances with South Pacific and Starlight Express.
Sam has worked as Silhouette’s joint Artistic Director since it began and has a passion for working with young people. She also teaches in many schools in and around Northampton where she now lives. 

John Bowman
John has recorded extensively as a session musician for a range of artists from the UK and Africa. John particularly enjoys working with emerging artists, having appeared on over 100 albums and EPs, mainly accompanying singer/songwriters and collaborating with other jazz musicians. He composed and recorded “Jinja” as band leader, and three solo albums, “Tana”, “Skye” and “Gone”.
John studied at the London College of Music, specialising in composition and jazz, before gaining a PGCE from the Open University.  In 2002, John and his wife Joy founded Notivate, an organisation dedicated to inspiring, supporting and encouraging children and young people through music. He is author and leader of the “Notivate Singer/Songwriter Programme”, which has helped over 5,000 children in youth groups, mainstream and special education to compose, perform and record their own songs.
As a workshop leader John has taught jazz improvisation in schools, at The Stables in Wavendon (UK), Kampala Music School (Uganda) and in Antananarivo (Madagascar).  He also provides piano tuition, specialising in vocal accompaniment and jazz. Former students include internationally acclaimed rock/pop artists, theatre performers, session musicians, jazz improvisers and songwriters.
John is the Musical Director for Silhouette and focusses on Songwriting with young people in Silhouette Sessions and outreach programmes.

George Grande
George has been performing from a young age and teaching in some capacity since she was 16. Growing up in Northampton, she was fortunate enough to be a part of many productions and performances with school and through the Northamptonshire Music and Performing Arts Trust.
In training, she has played “Elphaba” Wicked, “Fantine” Les Miserables and “Ellen” Miss Saigon to name a few. After leaving Northampton College, George began teaching Singing and Songwriting sessions to young people aged 4-18 in and around Northamptonshire as well as becoming a qualified Vocal Health First Aider. She has taught at a range of Performing Arts Schools around Northampton and now mostly works for Silhouette on all things singing and songwriting.
As a frequent performer, she gigs at many local pubs and has even taken the stage alongside musical theatre LEGENDS Scott Alan and Natalie Weiss as well as getting the chance to solo at The Royal Albert Hall.