Emma Bishton MSc, DipMT, BA(Hons), PGCert

I firmly believe that everyone can enjoy making music – but not everyone has yet had the opportunity. My aim is to make that possible.

I'm a classically trained musician, but enjoy singing a wide range of repertoire and I seek to use my musical skills and experience to promote singing and its benefits for people of all ages. As part of a research MSc in 2013, I completed a dissertation in how to use singing to help people with speech disorders. My work as a singing leader is influenced by knowing what a difference singing and music can make to people's lives, and I seek to to use my skills to widen participation in music for people of all ages. 

I initially trained as a music therapist, and worked for 10 years with people with learning disabilities. I then worked for many years in public health, in a variety of roles, but throughout this time continued to work as a semi-professional singer. Since returning to work predminantly in music, I have completed the PGCert (teaching) in Music and Special Needs with Adam Ockelford at Roehampton University.  I now work predominantly in music, leading choirs and singing groups, and teaching both children and adults in a variety of settings. I am an associate tutor with Suffolk County Music Services. 

As a singer, I perform regularly both as a soloist and in small groups. Recent solo performances include popular classics with the East Anglian Festival Orchestra at the Nayland Midsummer Prom, lunchtime recitals in Lion Walk Church Colchester and Long Melford, and numerous concerts with the Suffolk Villages Festival. As an ensemble singer I perform regularly with the 5-part group the Marenzio Singers who specialise in early music and madrigals - often in beautiful gardens! For 25 years I have been part of the specialist contemporary choir the New London Chamber Choir; one of our most memorable performances in recent years was Stockhausen's opera Donnerstag at the Festival Hall. Based on the Suffolk/Essex border, I am happy to travel across East Anglia on a regular basis, or more widely for the right occasion  – I have sung Doe a Deer in Nayland, Danny Boy in Ireland, and Dallapiccola in Paris!

If you would like to try out one of my singing groups, or you are thinking of developing your singing on your own, or you would like a singer for a special occasion, please get in touch  here.