SUE HADLEY PLAYDAYS
ORCHESTRAL WORKSHOPS
The Playday team
Sue Hadley
PLAYDAY FOUNDER
After taking up the cello aged 58, Sue Hadley joined the Learning Orchestra where she discovered the joys of playing classical music. In 1996 Sue took it upon herself to book a room in the Primrose Hill Community Centre and gathered together a professional conductor and a bunch of her string-playing pals. Together, they celebrated her violinist friend Vicky’s 50th birthday by playing through Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No.3.
It was such a success this turned into a regular string orchestra, and so Sue Hadley Strings was born. In 2005 Sue expanded the offering to include wind players and this quickly evolved from a string orchestra into the full orchestra we know today.
Since then, Sue has also created spin-off groups such as Chilled Strings (a small chamber strings group) and Cello Love (yearly weekend sessions for cellists only). Visit our Links page to learn more about these groups and other related orchestras.
Born in 1938, Sue trained as a nurse and went on to become a professional Nanny and worked for some high-profile families. Now retired, effervescent Sue is a pillar of the community in her residence of Chalk Farm, London.
Angela Draper
PLAYDAY ADMINISTRATOR
Sue is supported by her friend and trumpet player, Angela. A regular Playdayer herself, Angela helps ensure Playdays run smoothly. From registering players, collecting music and liaising with our conductors, Angela is Sue’s right-hand woman.
Congling Wu
PLAYDAYS LEADER
Congling Wu (pronounced 'Songling') is a freelance violinist and music teacher based in South East London. She studied at Trinity Laban, and has performed at venues such as Wigmore Hall, Latitude Festival and Vortex Jazz Club. She has played for numerous London orchestras, chamber ensembles and smaller groups such as the Hirvi Quartet.
As of November 2024, she will be the music department manager at Bobby Moore Academy in Stratford and enjoys her work in the education sector. She has taught privately for two years and hopes to continue building a portfolio career as a musician in the UK and abroad.