Specialisms

Supporting all who wish to sing and connect with others.

Additional information

Intro

I love the power of music to make people feel ‘as one’ and to bring a sense of well-being in challenging times.  The voice can transcend language and geographical barriers and simply be a universal sound which, when joined up with others, then gives us a sense of balance and connection.

Having recently given up the ‘day job’,  I now enjoy getting my hands dirty, connecting with the soil and growing community links in West Penwith through volunteering at Bosavern Community Farm and The Acorn Theatre, Penzance which hosts live music events.

I am also free to support any individual or group in West Penwith (Cornwall) wishing to sing – to advise on what’s already available and what new avenues might be possible.  I would also welcome collaboration with other leaders.

This year I am planning to hold weekend ‘song circles’ which will offer traditional harmony singing and alternative therapeutic chanting sessions to achieve a sense of well-being in a space of healing (yoga, dance, meditation and other holistic therapies).

I started leading groups from 2017, learning from other NVN practitioners, and benefited from a fabulous ‘Sharing the Music’ residential weekend led by Susie Ro (Prater).

Background and Experience
While employed I held various business support roles ranging from film production to local government, education and health however when not working, music has played a big part in my life and my musical journey started at a young age…

• Bought a piano for £5 aged 8 and taught myself to read music, qualifying to grade 5 music/theory – well it’s a start!  Sang at my local Odeon – Saturday Morning Picture Show for Children and remember holding a microphone for the 1st time, singing ‘I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing’!!
• Once described as a ‘lazy soprano’ at audition, by the musical director of Wells Oratorio Society – I have since extended my vocal range for teaching purposes but mostly now sing in my tenor comfort zone!
• Experience of singing in a church choir as a teenager and member of the Cheltenham Children’s Theatre Association, acting and singing in summer musicals including ‘The Wizard of Oz’ when I played Dorothy and had a teenage crush on The Scarecrow! (it didn’t last!).  Sang for my university Chapel Choir and had voice coaching lessons which helped me understand the importance of posture and where vocal sounds come from!
• 20 years’ singing in Somerset: Whitstone Ladies Choir, Wells Oratorio Society, ‘Asylum Seekers’ folk band (ex Mendip Packet folk club, Chilcompton).  Member of ‘Freshly Ground’ acapella choir, led by Issy Emeney (leader of Mendip Folk Choir, Somerset) – performing at various venues in the West Country and festivals 2012-2015 including Chippenham, Cheltenham, South Petherton, Upton-Upon-Severn (album ‘The Good Red Earth’, released by Wild Goose)
• 2010 – gained my PTLLS Award (Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector)
• CPD gained from regular attendance at workshops – 2017: B Naturals ‘Beatles and Bowie’, Bristol Choir Convention, Harmonic Temple (Nickomo and Rasullah),  Sing! 2017 Choir Leaders Day, Thornbury Baptist Church, Northern Harmony (Bath);  2018: Soul Soundings (Candy Verney), Sing for Medicine (Catherine Mowat, Caroline Rigby, Claire Anstee and Chris Strong), Harmonic Temple (Nickomo and Rasullah), Helen Yeomans and B Naturals Songs of the 70s; 2019: Helen Chadwick; Tony Backhouse; 2022: Gavin Frank, Jane Harris and Susie Ro; 2023: Windborne

2020 – Moved to Cornwall and ran Newlyn Sings! for a short while before Covid took its toll.

2022 – as a tenor backing vocalist, recorded Kirtan style chants with Adrian Freedman in Dartington, due for release in May 2023.

Current 
2019 to date – a tenor voice Glorious Chorus – led by the amazing Helen Yeomans – fabulous!  We have supported Ninebarrow, Spooky Men’s Chorale and Chaps Choir (Islington) as well as being the headline act! GC are now in the final season – concerts planned for June/July 2023 in Bristol, Dartington, Totnes and Buddhafield Festival – follow the Glorious Chorus link above.

2020 to date – connected with the wonderful Pip Wright, singing tenor with Levow an Bys and also weekly Songs with Spirit, Songs for the Soul, led by Pip in a sacred space.

2023 – planning to hold song circles at the Inner Space, Newlyn to complement yoga and other therapies already on offer there.

Will continue to support singing wherever and encourage others to sing for well-being!

My events