Ms Sophie Wetherell

Sophie graduated from Durham University with a BA (Hons) in Music and immediately went into work in business in her home town of Bristol.  During that year, the constant lure of Music led her to playing in a local orchestra and directing a local opera group and a children’s opera company, the result of which was to take a year out to study for a PGCE at the University of Bristol.  Upon qualifying, Sophie worked at a popular and large comprehensive school in Wiltshire for 5 years, until Dubai came calling.  She moved to the UAE in 2007, working for Wellington international School and Dubai English Speaking College before taking up the job of Head of Music at Jumeirah College in September 2020.

Although a classically trained musician, Sophie caught the ‘Musical Theatre bug’ whilst at school and directed her first musical whilst a student in Y13 – Blood Brothers.  Since then she has been Musical Director for a number of amateur, semi-professional and school productions, including West Side Story, Les Miserables, The Sound of Music, Billy Elliot and The Wizard of Oz.

Throughout the last decade in Dubai, Sophie has seen Music flourish within this vibrant community, and has been at the forefront of many projects, singing with the Dubai Opera Festival Chorus at the BBC Proms and with Andrea Bocelli in Abu Dhabi.  Sophie also made her BBC Radio 3 conducting debut in April 2019 at the Dubai Opera, having been chosen by the BBC Singers to perform at one of their Prom concerts.  As an accomplished pianist, she can also be found rehearsing with the musical elite and performing in various locations around the city.

Sophie is keen to inspire a love of Music in every student, both in and out of the classroom.  As well as a proven track record of excellent examination results, she is passionate about the importance of a variety of extra-curricular opportunities for all and is thoroughly enjoying working with the extremely talented musicians at Jumeirah College.