VOICES

Katharine Timoney is a Jazz Singer-Songwriter from Holywood, County Down in Northern Ireland.

She is a current Young Musicians’ Platform Awardee.

Check out her 2016 debut album ‘Man of Mine’ on Spotify and iTunes.

I loved getting to explore all my curiosities about jazz singing with Katharine. We talk about the lifestyle of a jazz performer- late nights and smokey bars, how she writes her music and the influences on her voice.

Adrian Thompson is a London born tenor with an extraordinary and expansive career in opera, concerts and recitals.

He trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama where he is now a professor of Vocal Studies.

As a Boy he worked with Benjamin Britten and has gone on to perform with all the major British Orchestras and travel all over the world with his voice.

Join me and Adrian as we talk about all he has learnt over his 50+ years as a professional singer and what life as an opera singer touring around the world is really like.

Enjoy his gorgeous and extremely powerful singing voice in this episode as he gives us a few bursts into song.

*Please note* we also talk about sensitive subjects for some listeners, around mental health and Anorexia.

TEACHER

A selfless sharer of knowledge and gifts.

Holding all the colours in the room.

Observing, noticing, staying put.

Allowing uniqueness to flow.

Understanding the power of words to shape a flickering confidence.

Love runs through this work,

Props it up, guides it and sees tender potential.

As you advocate for the new vocal shoots,

Your voice fathers the young.

©Kate Thirlwall 2020

Siena Lloyd is not only a wonderful Actress but a Musical director, composer and choreographer. 

She has many names, also known as Susie and Susanna

Check our her brilliant charity single for BBC Children In Need “Army of Love” on youtube.

Join me and Siena/Susanna/Susie as we talk about what “impressive singing” is, how sometimes our voice and appearance don’t match and her journey with her vocal health and therapy.

INHABIT

Where do I find you?

You show me who I am.

I need looking after,

Explore me behind a curtain of notes.

This preparedness for self,

Hiding in the bass.

I have many faces

Wendy is scared to leave the nursery

A confident showstopper glides over the top.

Trust dictates who I send into this world.

© Kate Thirlwall 2020

Noisemaker is the award-winning writing partnership of bookwriter/lyricist Scott Gilmour and composer Claire McKenzie.

Although based in Scotland and frequently creating work with top Scottish companies, they have made connections globally, notably with Walt Disney Organisation, Goodspeed Musicals in Connecticut and at New York Musical Theatre festivals.

Their music, language and storytelling are simply stunning and challenge the expectations of what musical theatre can be.

PASS IT ON 

Will you sit next to me? he said.

She obliged.

Slowly, surely and truly,

The pen and the piano held hands.

Hearing and loving the power inside them,

They journeyed to far off lands.

Catching stories in dream nets and enchanting them into scores.

Served up with whimsy,

Musical gifts graced the stage.

Passed on generously and ready to make noise.

©Kate Thirlwall 2020

Alexandra Silber is a Grammy nominated, Broadway and West end superstar. 

She is also a hugely successful writer and educator. 

She is one of my idols as a performer and a woman. 

Join me and this incredibly articulate and inspiring lady, as we chat about her life’s influence on her voice and the journey she has been on with it throughout her amazing career.

NEVER TOO LATE 

A voice built on the joy of permission,

I write, speak and sing for my family.

Untapped dreams crescendo through this body unashamed.

It can take a lifetime to find our centre,

But find it we will.

And there inside we climb a tree to marvel at the view,

Our breath flies over the world,

We inhale the sweet notes we deserve,

Rooted and free.

©Kate Thirlwall 2020

Barbara Hockaday is not only a wonderful Actress but a Musical director, composer and choreographer. 

She is the coolest and sexiest double bass and bass guitar player you will ever meet. 

She is also a singer but has struggled with tension in her voice for a lot of her performing career. 

Join me and this woman of many wise words, as we chat very openly about vocal health, the voices link to our brains and our mental well-being and how we criticise our voices. 

BREATHE 

Born without the air she needed to flush pink, she inhales life hungrily.

Searching for release, walking into a glade of trust.

Scared, mistaking dread for courage and preparation.

Spotlights bring joy and temptation. And injury.

Her body has the wisdom to heal; it has always known what’s inside....

Copyright 2020 Kate Thirlwall