Meet the BVYC team...
Becky. I live in Beeston and have taught at several local primary/junior schools for 17 years and for most of that time have specialised in music and singing. I have a passion for singing in particular and love seeing children grow in confidence and enthusiasm as they sing - the positive impact on mental health and wellbeing is obvious to see.
I have led Beeston Voices Community Choir since 2011 when it was set up as a small group of about 12 people who enjoyed singing in harmony. Since then we have grown to a weekly attendance of around 80 people and currently have a waiting list! After a successful collaboration in summer 2019 between Beeston Voices and John Clifford School's Rock Choir, I was inspired to set up Beeston Voices Youth Choir as an opportunity for children from a variety of local schools to get together, make new friends and sing!
We can't wait to meet your children and are passionate about nurturing and developing a love of singing in them too!
Cameron. I am a music teacher at a local secondary school and have also worked in lots of primary schools around Nottingham. I'm also a piano and guitar player (and dabble on the saxophone!). Making music with young people is so enjoyable because of the incredible positivity and enthusiasm they always bring, and it is also a fantastic way for us all to unwind and have fun. It's been so good to see BVYC develop into a proper, skilled choir over the last year, and I'm really looking forward to seeing them continue to progress.
Em. I currently teach music in a secondary school in Leicestershire. I have been a music teacher for around 20 years and I specialise in singing. I love music and find it an amazing way to connect with myself and others. I learnt how to sing through being involved in a youth choir as an 11 year old and love that BYVC is up and running! I would love to see the young people of Beeston connecting through singing!
Neil. I live in Toton and I am a full time postman. I'm happily married to my wife Julie and have two fantastic sons and two amazing grandkids! I hope they will eventually join BYVC in the future - an opportunity I never had as a kid as it wasn't cool to sing! I have been in two choirs - Bevox and Beeston Voices - and I absolutely love singing and music in general. I have such an eclectic taste in music, from pop to theatre (and yes I was a Glee fan - I got to sing 'Don't Stop Believing' in Bevox's first end of season concert.) On a final note, after performing with BYVC last term, I was absolutely blown away by how good they were so I asked Becky if it was possible to help out.
Pic to come!
Grace. As a busy mum to one of the choir members, I couldn't resist getting involved and having a chance to sing in a choir again. I am a children's speech and language therapist with the NHS and have always been interested in how music, and especially singing, can support speech and language development. I have sung in a few adult choirs and particularly love the feeling of singing in harmony with others. I listen to a wide range of music at home and live at concerts and festivals. I particularly like music with soul, a groove or interesting lyrics, such as folk and blues.