Iona Sawtell

Location

North Ceredigion, West Powys, South Gwynedd

Specialisms

Côr Cymraeg for Welsh learners, fun singing for carers, improvisation, community choirs

Additional information

I have been leading songs since 2005, with singers in Mid-Wales and Cardiff.  I currently lead Eosau (the Welsh word for Nightingales), which is a Singing for Fun Friday morning group, a Côr Cymraeg group for Welsh language learners.  I love how singing brings us shared fun and feeling, and enhances our awareness of eachother.  I would love to do more improvised sound-making with others.

  • “You lead so gently and joyfully, and make us feel very safe, which is really perfect for me” – Jill, carers’ group
  • “Your style of leading is brilliantly inclusive & supportive”- Fran, Côr Cymraeg
  • “I don’t know if it’s the songs or Iona (suspecting both) but without much effort they are in my brain and there for good! Yay!”- Megan

\"Carers

My choirs

Côr y Canolfan
Description

We aim to support people to learn Welsh through learning and singing songs in Welsh.  Everybody is welcome whatever your level of Welsh. The atmosphere is relaxed and we have tea and biscuits in the break.

Session times

Every 3rd Saturday of the month, 11am until 1pm.

Eosau Nightingales
Description

We are funded by Credu, the Welsh charity supporting carers.  Our original members are carers and we now welcome everyone.  It is free to attend.

Eosau is the Welsh word for Nightingales, chosen after the song which we sing, “I have a Million Nightingales” by Linda Hirschhorn and Mahmoud Darwish.

“The sessions have a significant impact on my health because singing helps my breathing, and on my well-being because I love to sing, and especially to sing with others. It is both uplifting and grounding, and very precious!”

“It’s wonderful being able to have some time out from being a carer,  singing, chatting and exercising with other people for a while, and Iona always makes it feel easy and undemanding, which is just what you need!” – Jill

 

Session times

Fridays 11am - 12.30pm. We sing in half term, but not over Christmas and Easter. If in doubt contact Iona for dates.

Heartsong Choir
Description

Heartsong is a Community Choir based in Aberystwyth. Membership is open to anyone who wishes to sing, regardless of previous experience or existing level of skill. Singers are not required to read music. Songs and harmonies are taught by ear.  Heartsong have a variety of song-leaders who they invite for a few weeks at a time.  They occasionally perform such as at Aberystwyth Sing for Water, and Christmas carol singing.

Session times

Tuesday evenings in term time from 7.15 til 9.15pm

Contact details