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 and Land’s End and I hope to join similar community food growing enterprises in Somerset.
I have developed a way of holding ‘song circles’ with a non-prescriptive approach to singing and chanting – to provide an opportunity to explore vocal sounds, percussion and improvisation, with spaces to breathe in-between and 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 once a month, following those threads back to the places and people I have been nourished by in recent years.
Penwith Song Circle is held in a safe and relaxed and therapeutic space and I am keen to share my Song Circle model to support sustainable communities in the Mendip area of 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.
My website, Penwith Voices, was created to provide a one-stop shop for all singing opportunities in West – sharing information to help others find a group suited to them.
My next step is to offer the Song Circle experience in Somerset following my return to the Mendip area in June 2025.
I am a Trustee for NVN – taking on the role of Treasurer in 2025.
Everyone is welcome at Mendip Song Circle (new 2025) which will meet on an occasional basis to start and also available on demand! The format suits experienced singers as well as those with less confidence who may be feeling anxious and or who have never sung with a group before.
We focus on the breath – singing from the core and the heart, complementing yoga practice – but with no experience necessary. We meet in a circle but with freedom to get up and move around when we feel like it.
The style and approach to singing is freestyle and informal, with percussion and song baths and with space to breathe and pause in-between.
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 mendipvoices@gmail.com or 07929 616274.
Occasional-TBC
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.
2nd Sunday every month 10.30-12.30
