Recently, Deke Sharon, musical director of Pitch Perfect, told us to tell the story, with feeling,  when you sing, and your audience will enjoy. That reaffirmed, for Gillian, singing is a joy that can be conveyed and can affect people’s lives, even for a short time.

There was lots of music in Gillian’s home, when she was growing up, both her Mum and Dad had lovely voices. Her Dad had been a choirboy. An abiding memory is of him carving the Sunday roast singing to the radio and another, the big old radiogram blaring out Shirley Bassey or the Beatles with her Mum singing along. 

At the age of four Gillian won a twisting competition and along with being involved in her infant Nativity as well as school musicals and skits, sealed her love of performing.  Always the class clown, she would mimic and joke for the laugh, which got her into trouble, more than once. Performing seemed to come naturally, unlike some more academic subjects.  And later, performing with the local church group and at the Oxford Playhouse with the Oxford Operatic Society to singing at Oxford’s Holywell Music Room, hold very special memories for Gillian. 

Gillian used to stay with her Grandparents for the school holidays. There was an old record player in her room, but the only records she had were albums of Harry Secombe,  South Pacific and Gilbert and Sullivan.  This is where her love for lyrics comes from. She would listen to those records over and over again,  which certainly helped her learn the songs  for Pop Voices!

Gillian says to anyone who will listen that being part of Pop Voices is a joy and has had such a positive effect on her own well-being.  From meeting new people to singing at such iconic places as St David’s Cathedral and The Tower of London, again, will have lasting memories. 

The Feel Good Choir, where the joy of singing, in an inclusive way, and where worries can be left at the door, at least for an hour or so, is a wonderful opportunity of spreading the (song) word. Gillian brings her exuberant personality, natural musicality and passion for all things singing to every session and will greet you with the biggest smile every time, making her the perfect person to lead Pop Voices ‘Feel Good’.