Specialisms
Supporting all who wish to sing and connect with others.
Supporting all who wish to sing and connect with others.
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, when shared with others, can nurture a sense of connection and belonging.
In recent times I have enjoyed living more sustainably and contributing to my community through volunteering and generating funds for local food projects. I like to get my hands dirty, connecting with the soil and growing community links. While in Cornwall I felt very much with ‘my tribe’ at Bosavern Community Farm near St Just, Land’s End and after returning to Somerset I joined the team at Paddington Farm Trust, near Glastonbury Tor – helping to grow and share organic fruit and veg.
I have developed a way of holding ‘song circles’ with a non-prescriptive approach to singing and chanting – to provide an opportunity and safe space to explore vocal sounds and sing from the heart rather than the head, supported by drumming and percussion, encouraging ‘letting go’ – harmony and improvisation, with spaces to breathe in-between. I am learning to get better at listening and encourage others to do the same.
And so…refreshed and with a different outlook on life…I find myself based back in Somerset, re-connecting with family and friends. I return to SW Cornwall every month, following those threads back to the places and people I have been nourished by in recent years.
Penwith Song Circle continues to be held monthly in Newlyn, Penzance. Mendip Song Circle is held every 1-2 months in Somerset.
Background
After 40 years of singing in choirs, groups and in folk clubs, I started leading a community choir in Somerset in 2017. I benefited hugely from a fabulous ‘Sharing the Music’ residential weekend led by Susie Ro (Prater) where I learned to teach using Natural Voice methods and from observing other NVN teachers at workshops.
Alongside this I took great pleasure in singing with Glorious Chorus based in Totnes, led by brilliant songwriter and arranger Helen Yeomans until it ended in 2023.
In 2020 I moved to SW Cornwall and connected with the wonderful Pip Wright, singing with Levow an Bys in Penzance and Songs with Spirit, Songs for the Soul.
In 2023 I started running ‘Penwith Song Circle’ at the Old School Studio, Newlyn (formerly known as ‘Inner Space’) – complementing yoga and other therapies already on offer there as the offer is more along the lines of ‘singing meditation’ than a traditional community choir. Mendip Song Circle was established in 2025 and continues to evolve…
I created a website, Penwith Voices, to provide a one-stop shop for all singing opportunities in South-West Cornwall – sharing information to help others find a group suited to them.
In 2025 I also decided to give a bit more, in support of the wider network, and became a Trustee for NVN – taking on the role of Treasurer.
Mendip Song Circle is all about heart healing, vocal liberation and weaving the threads of community .
Everyone is welcome – you will find a friendly supportive space, which welcomes both experienced singers and those with less confidence who may be feeling anxious and or who have never sung with a group before.
We connect with self and others; the elements, land and sea and the singing is rooted in the traditions of call and response, learning by ear and repetition.
We focus on the breath and our singing is an extension of that which sustains us – singing from the core and the heart
Our style and approach to singing is freestyle and informal. We introduce harmony and improvisation and simply go with the flow, exploring a variety of short songs, chants, mantras and rounds – inspired by cultures worldwide, including our own.
Song Circle was established at North Wootton Village Hall near Shepton Mallet in 2025 and will now be held on a flexible rather than routine basis and may be located in more than one venue, in consideration of the various places people have been coming from in the Mendip and Somerset Levels area.
Forthcoming events (see Event Listings to book)
17th May 10.30-12.30
Mendip Song Circle Spring Gathering (Hallr Wood, Charlton Mackrell)
5th July 10.30-12.30
Mendip Song Circle Summer Gathering (North Wootton Village Hall)
Contact Sue via mendipvoices@gmail.com or 07929 616274.
Feedback from Penwith Song Circle (held in SW Cornwall), established 2023:
“no matter how I’m feeling when I arrive, I always leave feeling lighter and uplifted”
“It was so welcome and welcoming. I love the way you hold the space in the session – it’s just perfectly toned – wonderful – such a skill to manage it all with such a deft light touch … and gorgeous singing and songs. Big thanks and gratitude for all that you do.”
“Thank you so much for this morning. I was blown away. Loved it. Very much.”
Sunday 10.30-12.30 every 6-9 weeks approx
Penwith Song Circle is all about heart healing, vocal liberation and community building.
Everyone is welcome – this is a friendly supportive group welcoming both experienced singers and those with less confidence who may be feeling anxious and or who have never sung with a group before.
We connect with self and others, the land and the sea – meeting in a relaxed and healing space close to Mount’s Bay.
We focus on breath – singing from the core and the heart, complementing yoga practice but with no experience necessary.
Our style and approach to singing is freestyle and informal. We introduce harmony and improvisation and simply go with the flow, exploring a variety of short songs, chants, mantras and rounds – inspired by cultures worldwide, including our own.
Contact Sue via penwithvoices@gmail.com or 07929 616274.
Feedback:
“no matter how I’m feeling when I arrive, I always leave feeling lighter and uplifted”
“It was so welcome and welcoming. I love the way you hold the space in the session – it’s just perfectly toned – wonderful – such a skill to manage it all with such a deft light touch … and gorgeous singing and songs. Big thanks and gratitude for all that you do.”
“Thank you so much for this morning. I was blown away. Loved it. Very much.”
2nd Sunday 10.30-12.30 monthly (except Aug)
