"  The inspiration for this choir is the belief that everyone can sing and choirs are not just for the musically trained. Singing together is an immense source of joy and it builds community feeling. I am a self-taught musician and I want to share this joy with others. I always begin the class with a bit of improvisation which helps us learn to listen to each other and find our own voices.

That we connect with our soul as we sing is the most important thing for me. I am also a perfectionist who strives for vocal harmony. My experience is that when people are at home with their voices, they sing perfectly in tune....

The songs I use are inspiring ones from anywhere. Beatles classics, 50s do-wop are lots of fun, Gospel, African, Balkan folksongs, Gaelic and contemporary songs with uplifting words. Recently I have taught 'Adiemus' by Karl Jenkins, 'This great sky' by Scottish composer Alison Burns, 'Bringing in the sheaves' by Coope Boyes and Simpson, as well as a South African song about a community's support for AIDS orphans, and my arrangement of 'Da doo ron ron'.

I am in close contact with many voice and choir leaders around Britain. Many of us are part of The Natural Voice Practitioners Network (www.naturalvoice.net) an organization which shares the belief that everyone has a right to sing and that we all have a voice.

Every year I teach at The Unicorn Voice Camp (www.unicorncamps.com) in Dorset, where many of us meet up and share songs and inspirations. I find there is a wonderful openness and generosity to share songs and arrangements.  "