Location
South East London
South East London
I run community choirs, singing retreats & teach 1:1 lessons.
I am available for bespoke workshops.
I’m an experienced choir leader and workshop facilitator with a passion for bringing people from all walks of life together to sing in harmony.
I use my warm and inclusive style to create playful and supportive spaces for people of all levels of experience to explore their voices and enjoy singing together.
I strongly believe that everyone can sing and should have opportunities to do so.
My teaching style reflects this inclusive approach. I teach everything by ear, so it doesn’t matter whether or not you have previously learnt to read music. I avoid using musical jargon – while this works for some people, it can sound totally alien to someone who hasn’t had opportunities to learn music, and can reinforce those really unhelpful feelings of ‘I knew I wasn’t a musical person – I shouldn’t be here’. Loads of music from around the world is learnt and shared by ear and never written down, and that is how I teach my choirs and workshops.
I’ve been singing and playing the clarinet since I was little and I’m currently learning piano and guitar. My earliest musical memories are of dancing round the living room aged 3 in Mozambique, where I was living at the time, to gorgeous harmonies from the South African musical Ipi Ntombi. I’ve since worked in South Africa as an adult, and southern African harmonies hold a special place in my heart.
Aside from music, my background is in youth and community work, social action, participation, and training and facilitation.
Catford Sings is Catford’s newest community choir, which launched in September 2023.
We sing beautiful folk, world music and pop songs, which are all songs taught by ear so there’s no need to read music and no auditions.
New singers are welcome at any time in the term.
We meet in the upstairs studio at Catford Mews, Catford’s local independent cinema. Come through the main entrance, through the bar area and go through the doors as if you were going to the cinema screens. At the back of the corridor is a staircase up to the first floor, where the studio is located.
Unfortunately at the moment the lift is not in operation so the space is only accessible via the stairs.
If you’re early, why not grab some food or a drink while you wait, and feel free to stay on afterwards for a drink and to get to meet your fellow singers.
Wednesday evenings, 7.30-9pm
Peckham Rye Sings is a fun and friendly community choir based in Peckham and led by local choir leader Xenia Davis.
We sing beautiful a cappella folk, gospel and world music songs in 3 and 4 part harmony. All songs are taught by ear.
We were founded in June 2015 and we’ve grown to around 45 members.
Everyone is welcome to come and sing with Peckham Rye Sings, whether your singing is limited to the shower or you belt out ballads on the London Overground. There is no need to read music, and you don’t need to audition. You can start at any point in the year. And your first session is free, so there’s nothing to lose.
Mondays, 7.30-9pm
Sing Out Streatham is a fun and friendly community choir based in Streatham and led by Xenia Davis. We started in January 2013 and have grown to around 50 members.
We sing beautiful a cappella folk, gospel and world music songs in 3 and 4 part harmony, and all songs are taught by ear.
Everyone is welcome to come and sing with us, whether your singing is limited to the shower or you belt out ballads on the bus. There is no need to read music, and you don’t need to audition. New singers are welcome to join at any point in the term.
We sing together, and then usually always head down the hill for a drink/bite to eat/cup of tea somewhere on Streatham High Road.
We meet in the Sixth Form Common Room at Dunraven School. The Sixth Form is on the opposite side of the main road to the secondary school site. Come in through the gates and we’re on the ground floor in the building right in front of you. Here is a pin on Google Maps to the exact building.
Thursdays, 7.30-9pm
