Build your confidence, expand your vocal range, improve your singing skills, express yourself, love and be yourself with Voice Expressions.
Come and explore genres like soul, jazz, pop and gospel music, build your confidence, develop your singing skills in a safe, enjoyable and creative atmosphere with others.
Group & Private Classes
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Dear Finalist,
We are thrilled to congratulate you on being shortlisted for the Music and Drama Education Awards 2026! This is an incredible achievement, and we can’t wait to celebrate with you.
Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition!
Congratulations on Your Shortlisting for the Music and Drama Education Awards 2026!
MUSIC INSPIRATION AWARD
Finalist:
Brenda Rattray
Expressive Voice Process Feedback
Student C, Goldsmiths University April 26
I really enjoyed my time as part of Voice Expressions these past few months. I think what I loved the most was the playful camaraderie of our diverse group, singing with others in a structured setting, and the opportunity to learn better vocal technique and improve my technical skills with the help of a warm and very knowledgeable instructor. Brenda was an expert facilitator who was a balanced blend of firm, friendly, funny, rigorous, and supportive. The space was inviting, grounding, instructive, fun, collaborative, and inclusive of all vocal abilities and personal backgrounds. Folks were respectful and encouraging in helping each other learn our different parts; it felt like there was very little ego or competition during our sessions, which made it very enjoyable. I felt safe to express myself authentically, challenged to push myself & try new things, and I connected more deeply with my body through the use of somatic training offered by Brenda. I learned new singing techniques that allowed me to better understand how to use my voice and my whole body as an instrument to help me sing more effectively. I also felt comfortable naming my access needs around COVID, and it was really lovely to be accommodated by the instructor and my peers without any pushback when I brought in my air filter to rehearsal sessions,.
I enjoyed the eclectic selection of songs Brenda chose and taught us, especially the variety of songs and genres. I also think in the future it would be nice if students could each choose one song or decide together on a group song that we want to learn, time permitting (although I joined late in the term so maybe that happened at the beginning and I missed it). The opportunity to sing in front of an audience at the end was a nice goal to work towards as a collective. For me the concert was a good, low-stakes opportunity to ease back into performing live again. I also enjoyed singing and learning alongside others just for the sake of it, in order to learn/grow more as a vocalist and connect with others creatively.
I also loved the stimulating dialogue and warm social connections that happened through informal conversations after each extra session.
Overall I had a blast at Voice Expressions and I can't wait to join the next session.
Thanks so much Brenda for your wisdom, guidance, and deep expertise! I am looking forward to our 1 on 1 vocal lessons and to singing in Voice Expressions again soon.
Student P, Goldsmiths University April 26
As someone who loved singing as a child and lost touch with it in adolescence, I couldn't have asked for a better teacher than Brenda to help me reconnect with it as an adult.
Her practical approach places your relationship with your voice right at the centre – creating a space to experience it judgement-free, both for yourself and amongst others, while growing into the technicalities intuitively.
With her help, I've been able to regain curiosity for my voice in a way I wasn't able to access before, and a genuine excitement for how it might be able to develop.
The overall choir and harmony work felt challenging (as I had never done that before) and was definitely a learning curve for me in a number of ways. That most definitely felt like a journey through a completely new experience for me.
Most of all what I feel again is genuine curiosity for what my voice may be able to do. I think also through the work we’ve done I was forced to (in a positive way) meet my voice for what it actually is like rather than what I would like it to be.
Also through the experimentations and practice in my own time I was able to feel what singing has to offer for me personally and how I actually relate to it.
I would really love it if the ensemble continued even in the summer term
I was really impressed by how Brenda was able to hold the environment so the performance felt really comfortable. Overall it felt impressively smooth.
A couple people I knew that came to watch told me I sounded good – hearing that definitely felt very new.
Overall I also want to say thank you so much for all your efforts, it really has been a wonderful journey and I think all of us felt how you went all out for us!
Regardless of what happens going forward this will definitely be a memory I will cherish. Thank you very much for facilitating this!
Student D, Goldsmiths University April 26
Being a part of Voice Expressions has been nothing short of critical in my experiences as an MFA student at Goldsmiths. Brenda’s way of teaching has resulted in exponential growth for my voice and singing capabilities, as a vocalist and as a speaker in general.
The repertoire of songs that she curates for us is clearly intentional and allows for everyone to feel seen, heard and therefore more confident in taking risks.
This spring term (2026) was particularly enriching and one that I will talk about in years to come as deeply inspirational and motivating. We all felt we were part of something bigger because our unified voice was strengthened by the openness and authentic energy created in the space.
Brenda creates a powerful environment for growth and honesty, and this has resulted in us exceeding our own expectations of what is possible in a vocal ensemble. This isn’t just a place to expand our voice, it’s a place we can land in the chaos of systems that weren’t built for everyone to thrive. Voice Expressions is the reason I came to Goldsmiths and I wouldn’t be here without the clarity and guidance that Brenda is able to cultivate in such a short period of time.
Brenda’s influence has imbued me with the confidence to lead choirs, something that felt so out of reach for me before as a self-taught musician with little to no classical training. Her teaching allows for experimentation and alternate forms of musical notation, resulting in less narrow or strict ways of learning music. This allows for joy, and new ways of approaching creativity. Not only has she created a bridge for us to take up more space in our bodies, but also out in the world!
During our end of term performance, it was beautiful to witness the connection that we all share now as a group, with Brenda as a mentor. By the end, I wanted to practice more and perform more as a group. This speaks to the excitement and progress that we all felt. A couple friends that came mentioned how proud they were of me, particularly noticing how much I’ve grown with how much more control I have over my voice. These moments are so critical because it affirms the need for a space like this.
The only personal challenge I’ve experienced is showing up more consistently for this craft that I love so dearly due to what feels like my own mental and physical limitations. I look forward to continuing Voice Expressions because it reminds me that true community is the only way we can thrive as conduits of sound. I want to thank Brenda for offering such a rare, caring, holistic and transformative way of teaching that I don’t feel as often in my other courses.
Student S, Goldsmiths University March 26
Dear Brenda,
Thank you so much for all your hard work and passion in facilitating the vocal ensemble . It has been such an incredible life affirming experience . The shared journey we all went on culminating in the end of term concert in The Great Hall is something I will always remember.
I have always loved gospel music . Your expert group tuition in this field has been so inspiring . Your fantastic teaching ability has inspired the whole group . My confidence and enjoyment of my own singing has really been nurtured under your guidance.
The experience has also been a deeply spiritual one for me too . Our conversations about and acknowledging our roles as carers. Your talks about how we sustain ourselves when life gets tough - and how to acknowledge and love ourselves .Have helped me keep strong in a demanding and challenging transition in my life - Returning to study in London at Goldsmiths.
IT has been great to meet, sing and bond with people from all round the world. You worked really hard to facilitate that!
Student Y, Goldsmiths University March 26
it's really a wonder journey to spend the two months with you, the whole class and the music! I can't help recalling the moment when I was standing on the stage that night, breathing and using my body to make sound. I can feel the world is listening to me and I was just in that moment without worries and anxiety for the past and tomorrow. My body is full of energy and my spirit is fully lifted to sing and to live. I was relaxed for most time on stage, especially in the Chinese rap part. Even though I can't hear my voice clearly, I can feel everything is moving in the right direction. What a miracle!
It’s hard to say how much this workshop means to me. Here I not only learnt how to express myself using voice, but how to get along with others from different cultures. The first few months in London were particularly challenging for me. A lack of social interaction and joy, combined with a heavy workload, made me feel anxious and restless. But this workshop have changed the situation, allowing me to have time that is entirely my own, where I can truly relax in the company of a group of really nice friends.
I would like to thank you for your care and concern inside and outside class, which gave me much confidence to show myself. Your passion for music reminds me of my love for singing and harmony, and inspires me to keep expressing myself through it wherever and whenever I am.
Student S, Goldsmiths University April 26
Dear Brenda,
As you can probably imagine, joining this choir has been very meaningful for me. Here are some of the things I loved:
This was my first experience singing in a group, and never once was I made to feel like I lacked technical skills. Which is to say, one of the most incredible aspects was the openness you created.
Your holistic approach deeply resonates with me. I often came into lessons with a confused, post-writing-work brain and left feeling light, connected to my body and my soul.
Your deep care for both the work and your students is so transparent. You bring your whole self - your wisdom, passion, and vulnerability - and I think everyone can feel it, even the audience during the performance (according to my guests). I felt truly honoured to experience that kind of relationship with a teacher; it has only happened to me once before.
My main learning from this experience was discovering a new way to connect with people. With these seven kind, open individuals, I felt that while we weren't connected on every level or on a superficial level, we did connect on an unspoken, intimate one. It allowed us to feel comfortable sharing both our vulnerable voices and our vulnerable silence…………
Aside from these more soulful reflections, I also gained some technical skills. The course really helped me with rhythm - I now have a better understanding of “counting music,” which I didn’t have before - as well as harmonies. I also learned how safe and powerful it can feel to sing in front of an audience as part of a group, and how important each individual part is to the whole. Overall, I came out of it as a better singer.
So, thank you!!!
The only challenge for me was clarity; it took me a while to fully understand my parts, and I sometimes struggled to read your notes. But that’s probably more due to my inexperience in a choir, and in the end it helped me develop my own system for tracking the music.
Student Sm Goldsmiths University March 26
The Vocal Ensemble has been the highlight of my Goldsmiths experience so far. Your joy and passion in singing and the huge amount of energy you put into the group to make it happen was extraordinary .In this present time of uncertainty - it also felt a very safe and caring place to be.
Thank you again for such a rich and soulful experience.
Looking forward to singing with you and the group soon.
Expressive workshop for teachers
“We were reminded in Brenda Rattray's session of the power we hold as teachers and the need be mindful and aware of this in every interaction we have with children.” “I absolutely loved Brenda's session - it shifted focus between singing and musicianship and responsibility. She's very inspiring.”
Expressive Voice Process Feedback
A. International Student, Goldsmith’s Vocal Ensemble May 25
Every week feels like a conference, it’s nice to be able to speak your mind
N. International student Goldsmith’s Vocal Ensemble March 25
My experience and gains from participating in GVE were far beyond my expectations.
Firstly, in the first semester, within this warm community of GVE, I experienced emotional relaxation and psychological relief.Because for most international students, the first semester is very challenging. We were able to alleviate the frustration of the second language in the process of singing. And in Brenda's healing energy from the inside out and her smile, I quickly found confidence. So in the second semester, I invited new classmates to join this meaningful course.
The second point is that in the vocal ensemble, I enhanced my experience in teamwork and mutual assistance. This was an experience I lacked before, as most of the time I performed with the band or as a soloist. By exploring new singing methods and styles together in the team, my skills and experience were expanded very efficiently. These valuable experiences will be of great benefit to the growth of my personal music career.
Thirdly, as a vocal coach myself, while studying at GVE, I also absorbed Brenda's outstanding teaching experience and methods. She has a teaching style that is characterized by equality, encouragement, positivity, empathy, emphasis on reflection, and inspiration. By experiencing her teaching process, I believe I can better integrate the advantages of different teaching methods from both the East and the West, and have a more international and open perspective to inspire my students.
I hope GVE can continue to nourish and influence batch after batch of students🌻. I'm grateful to Brenda❤️! I'm very glad to be a member of GVE🎤！
On 11 Mar 2025, at 00:11
Dear Brenda Rattray,
I sang in your Jazz/Gospel Choir while I attended Sydenham High School GDST, I believe I was in year 8/9. This had a lasting impact on myself, and I have been captivated by music ever since.
I have now been leading a gospel choir since June 2024. We partook in auditions for a national competition and have been named as finalists, with the event taking place this month March 25.
We would love to have you observe our performance from an expert's point of view and possibly provide us with any advice.
Very Best Wishes,