About
Iestyn is currently Musical Director of “Bat Out Of Hell” (International Tour), and also the new musical, “For Tonight“, produced by Broadway producer, Blair Russell.
Originally from Pembrokeshire, Wales, Iestyn achieved Distinction in a Masters of Music from Cardiff University in 2019, and was awarded the Worshipful Livery Company Young Musician Award.
Since then, Iestyn has enjoyed a varied freelance career, and has worked across the UK and USA with artists such as Bonnie Tyler, Gregory Porter, Michael Ball, John Owen-Jones and Lucie Jones.
As a producer, Iestyn has produced videos for the BBC, S4C, Voices of The West End Japan, Welsh of The West End and the Welsh Rugby Union.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Iestyn co-founded The West End of Wales Community Interest Company (The WeoW) with the mission of supporting and inspiring Welsh musicians.
Utilising virtual music making, The WeoW created over £30,000 of work for musicians whose livelihoods had been affected by the Pandemic, as well as coordinating online tuition and concerts for thousands of young musicians across South Wales.
Iestyn’s pioneering use of the internet and work with The WeoW was personally recognised by HRH King Charles III, and he also won the BT Unbreakable Award in 2021.
You can find me on all platforms @iestyngmusic.
Musical Director
As Musical Director, Iestyn is currently touring the U.K. and Ireland with “Bat Out of Hell”, under Musical Supervision of Michael Reed. “Bat Out Of Hell” is scheduled to continue to tour the U.K. and further afield, visiting European countries such as Germany, Spain and Austria, as well as performing an arena tour of Australia and New Zealand. Iestyn will also MD the show as it makes its return to London’s West End for a limited run in 2023.
Iestyn is also Musical Director of the new musical, “For Tonight“, written by Shenelle Salcido and Spencer Williams, and produced by Broadway producer, Blair Russell. Most recently, Iestyn MD’d the show’s London-workshop, directed by Nick Evans (Bat Out of Hell, Billy Elliot), and choreographed by Kevan Allen (Jesus Christ Superstar – World Tour). The workshop culminated in an invitational industry performance in 2022.
Previous credits include: Spring Awakening (Cover MD – Leeds Conservatoire), Rock of Ages (iCAN Productions), as well as City of Stars (Cardiff University) and Tranquillity Camp (New York).
Iestyn is currently a proud mentor for the MD Mentorship Scheme (U.K.).
Keyboardist
Iestyn has worked extensively as a keyboardist and accompanist across stage, screen and radio, working with artists such as Bonnie Tyler, Gregory Porter, Michael Ball, John Owen-Jones, Lucie Jones, Sophie Evans and Welsh of The West End.
Television/radio credits include: “Michael Ball Showtime” (BBC2), “The Really Welsh Christmas Show” (BBC1 Wales), and “Welsh Government Coronavirus Memorial” (BBC1 Wales), and “Bat Out of Hell” BBC Introducing (BBC Radio Solent). He has also played keyboard at the “Platinum Jubilee Concert” at Cardiff Castle, the “A Thousand Voices Concert” at The Motorpoint Arena, and has deputised on keyboard for “Les Miserables” (U.K. Tour).
Producer
As a producer, Iestyn has produced videos and content for BBC Wales, S4C, Voices of The West End Japan, Steffan and Welsh of The West End (Britain’s Got Talent), and The Welsh Rugby Union.
In March 2021, Iestyn produced “#GWLAD! – an online concert for St. David’s Day“, which featured some of Wales’ most famous faces, including Sir Bryn Terfel, Katherine Jenkins, Rob Brydon, Carol Vorderman and Sam Warburton. The show also included performances from acts such as John Owen-Jones, Lucie Jones and Rhod Gilbert, as well as an address from HRH The Prince of Wales.
Album credits include: “For Tonight – U.K. Concept Album” (2021), “Sexton and Fowler – By The Christmas Lights” (2021) and “Win This Fight Alone” (2021), by Lisa Shelmerdine-Richards and The West End of Wales.
Other Work
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Iestyn founded “The West End of Wales” (The WeoW – a collective of musical alumni from the West of Wales) alongside Co-Founder, Laura Llewellyn-Jones. The WeoW was registered as a CIC with the motto of “supporting and inspiring Welsh Musicians”, pioneering remote music making throughout lockdown, amassing a large following on social media through online performances and successfully delivering education products for young musicians. This culminated in raising over £30,000 for out-of-work Welsh musicians and creatives and teaching over 5,000 young students online.
Iestyn’s work with The WeoW was recognised by winning a Digital Classical Music Award (2020), and the BT Unbreakable Award (2021).
As an educator, Iestyn has visited Cardiff University as a guest lecturer, as well as giving composition workshops and career advice to young students in secondary schools throughout South Wales. He is also an ambassador for the “It Starts In School” campaign (Cowshed, Cardiff).
Iestyn is also Director of the 8-piece function band “What’s The Fuss?”, who perform high-end functions throughout South Wales.