Choir staff and Organ Scholars

Director of Music - Benjamin Sheen

Benjamin Sheen was appointed Director of Music at Jesus College Cambridge in 2023. Prior to moving to Cambridge, he was Sub-Organist at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford and organ tutor at the University of Oxford. He holds degrees from the University of Oxford and the Juilliard School in New York and spent eight years as the Associate Organist of the famed Saint Thomas Church, Fifth Avenue in New York City. As a concert organist, he has gained international recognition on both sides of the Atlantic and further afield in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Read Benjamin's full biography.

Tel: +44 (0)1223 339474
Email: director-of-music@jesus.cam.ac.uk

Chapel and Choir Office Coordinator – Eleanor Lancelot

You can contact the Chapel and Choir Office Coordinator about concerts and the choirs.

Tel: +44 (0)1223 339699
Email: choir@jesus.cam.ac.uk

Organ Scholar – Drew Sellis

Drew is in his third year reading for a Music Tripos. He studies organ repertoire with Ann Elise Smoot and improvisation with David Briggs. His responsibilities include the accompanying of and rehearsal for the Chapel’s five sung services per week and assistance with the training of the choristers and probationers. He is also Harry Gabb Scholar and prize-winning Associate of the Royal College of Organists, achieving the highest overall mark in the country for his cohort. A busy schedule of organ recitals has taken Drew all over the country, from various Cambridge and Oxford Chapels to Liverpool Cathedral.  

Drew has a range of musical interests, having taken part in a diverse portfolio of projects during his time at Cambridge. He has been on musical direction teams in musicals and operettas from Cambridge-based venues such as the ADC Theatre and West Road Concert Hall to the Edinburgh and Camden Fringe Festivals, and is in frequent demand as a repetiteur, saxophonist, and jazz pianist for rehearsals and gigs across the city.  

From September 2023, Drew leaves his post as Senior Organ Scholar at Jesus for St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, where he will accompany the world-famous choir and assist with the training of the choristers and probationers.   

Email: choir@jesus.cam.ac.uk

Organ Scholar – Michael D'Avanzo

Michael was a chorister at Hereford Cathedral until 2015, when he took up the organ, studying with Geraint Bowen. In 2020, he was appointed Organ Scholar at St David's Cathedral, singing for several BBC Radio broadcasts as well as regularly accompanying the choirs. He then moved to Southwell Minster as Organ Scholar, where he was involved in the Minster’s education and music outreach programmes as well as working closely with the choristers. In Southwell, he also performed alongside the Musical and Amicable Society for the Minster Chorale’s annual Messiah concert.

Michael’s solo performances have included recitals in cathedrals and churches across the country as well as a performance of Handel’s 13th Organ Concerto alongside Music for a While.

Michael is now in his first year at Cambridge, reading for a degree in Music.

Email: choir@jesus.cam.ac.uk