Profile

I am one of the lucky few whose English degree has actually led to a career working with words – written, spoken and sung.

After studying at Manchester University, I joined the BBC Radio Drama department, and then worked as a Radio Producer in the Independent sector before turning freelance.   As an award-winning Audio Producer and Director, I have worked for all the leading UK publishing houses directing some of the finest actors and writers in the business.  I am also a skilled script-editor and abridger.

I teach and direct at several leading UK drama colleges, primarily LAMDA (Audio) and RADA (Academy Associate Teacher: Shakespeare, Poetry, Audio and Classical Text).  I hold a Post-Grad Certificate in Learning & Teaching in Higher Education: Theatre & Performing Arts (Rose Bruford College) and I am a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

I am also a successful lyricist and librettist, and have been commissioned by English National Opera, The Royal Opera House, Tete a Tete Contemporary Opera Festival, The Shout, Highbury Opera Theatre and  BBC Radio 3/BBC Symphony Orchestra.  Composers I have collaborated with include Orlando Gough, John Webb, David Knotts, Kerry Andrew, Scott Stroman, Sxip Shirey, Rebecca Dale, Gabrielle Ducomble and Cheryl Frances-Hoad.

Albums to which I have contributed include Magic Lantern Tales (Cheryl Frances Hoad), Winter (Voces 8 – Rebecca Dale), Christmas with Canterbury Cathedral Girls’ Choir (CCGC – Rebecca Dale), Notes from Paris and Across The Bridge (Gabrielle Ducomble).

I have also recorded my own jazz album Under Your Spell.  The title track is an original song, which I wrote with the late, much-lamented jazz maestro Geoff Castle.

Further details of my work are listed under individual projects.

I am a slapdash pianist, an experienced singer (mezzo these days), a fluent sightreader (words and music) and an inexpert (but ever-hopeful!) gardener.