Brenda Rattray Performs for the BBC ‘Sold on Song’ project.
Brenda Rattray’s
Gifts, Skills, Passions and Talents!
Voice Expressions Founder Brenda Rattray is an inspirational facilitator who has toured and worked internationally in over 43 Countries. She graduated from Goldsmiths University where she has been an Associate Lecturer since 2003. She has taught expressive voice in all areas of the community from Nurseries to High profile Psychiatric Hospitals and prisons and is an External Examiner for Kingston University.
Brenda works internationally and passionately as a Freelance Educator, Motivational Speaker, Expressive Artist and Empathetic Leadership Advocate.
Her clients over the years include the English National Opera, BBC Symphony and BBC Concert Orchestras, high profile psychiatric prison hospitals, work with political prisoners, the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA), The Guildhall school of music and drama, The Institute of Education, Goldsmiths University and Women’s Aid from whom she received an ‘Excellence in Education’ award in 2014 for her work with women who suffer domestic violence. More recently she ran expressive workshops for the Marylebone project, a refuge for women who suffer domestic violence, with a wonderful women’s choir and she has been invited to work with new mothers who may be experiencing postnatal depression.
Music Teacher Magazine
Thank you to all who attended the Expressive Singing Workshop for teachers on 15th October ‘24 : https://musicteacherconference.com/curriculummusic2024/en/page/programme . You’re amazing! I had such a wonderful time. x
Please drop me a line to share any feedback. Here: reallynicepeople@icloud.com
For more information on Schools Expressive workshops, Teacher Training and Innovative School Assemblies, please email Brenda: reallynicepeople@icloud.com.
I had an amazing time with Cantatrice choir November ‘24
NEW RELEASE
It’s out!! This song is about ‘Belonging’ Have a listen here: https://youtu.be/qqEQjaFoYgs?si=vZSw9kWg_uzgrR4y
Brenda's focuses for 2024/25 are as follows:
New Commissions: Brenda is excited to take on new musical projects and collaborations.
Workshops: Engage in dynamic and interactive workshops tailored to experience the joy of singing, expressive healing and / or unlock your group’s vocal potential.
Expressive workshops on Belonging. This process is for organisations and there is a process that has been developed for one on one explorations.
All too often we find ourselves working in environments where we feel we don’t belong! These reflective specialist workshops explore and open the doors to identifying, accepting and healing those feelings whilst building inner courage and confidence, celebrating the strength of vulnerability and providing a buffet table of next steps for individuals and groups to expore.
A trauma informed approach to ‘Devising Inspirational Conferences’: The process is trauma informed and delegates are wonderfully ‘held’ in these honest, inclusive, informative, healing spaces.
New mother’s and babies Small group singing workshops
Songwriting Classes: Learn the art of songwriting without having to play an instrument from Brenda and her team who will also share basic musicianship as part of the process.
One-to-One or Group Expressive Voice Work: Discover the power of your voice with personalized sessions designed to enhance vocal expression, experience optional healing and /or join a small group class beginning soon.
Speaking Engagements:
Brenda is available for conferences and events as a Motivational Speaker, bringing powerful messages on:
Growing up surrounded by Domestic Violence
The power of being more than just a Survivor
Overcoming life’s challenges daily
Why writing music is her life
The power and beauty of being Dyslexic and thinking outside the box
Brenda’s aim is to simply inspire, and share a buffet table of the tools she has discovered along life’s journey.
Music Commissions:
With a constant overflow of melodies flowing to and through her, Brenda's passion for music is evident in everything she does.
Brenda would love to write music for your singing groups, choirs, organizations, or orchestras. Let her unique creativity bring a new dimension to your musical endeavors.reallynicepeople@icloud.com
Building Confidence
Can she help with my lack of confidence?
Brenda is renowned for her abilities to: instil confidence in budding singers, remove inhibitions from those who consider themselves unable to sing, and challenge and stimulates more confident singers with unconventional methods and ideas. She has an extensive range of skills including teaching, facilitating, musical direction, arranging, composing, performance and vocal coaching.
Creative Conferences Manager: Inclusive Practice In Action Devising music conferences with a difference!
Brenda worked as a Social Justice, Creative Inclusive Practice in Action Manager and continues to devise conferences and bespoke music training courses on request.
Brenda Manages, devises, and hosts, challenging, reflective, thought provoking training events.
Brenda works as a Consultant on how to Ignite, excite and engage students in the classroom. She consults on ‘Diversity and Inclusion’, Repertoire, and Explorations of ‘Out of the Box’ Solutions to personal and /or classroom management strategies.
In photos below she is running an expressive workshop and devising a composition with singers from London Youth Choirs for a commissioned piece to celebrate London Youth choirs 10th Anniversary. As part of this process Brenda guides the children into a safe space where they can write authentic songs that express their hearts! The results vary from very funny songs about the love of cats, to life experiences, expressed possibly for the first time in this incredibly safe space where there are specialists who can ensure that all are safe but feeling a million times better about releasing the load carried sometimes in tiny hearts………………… a beautiful moment of fun, laughter, reflection and healing…………‘June 22
Brenda Rattray, The Composer
Brenda Rattray, the composer
A published composer, her Book the ‘Joy of Singing’ is published by Faber Music 2008 and has established itself in the repertoire of choirs around the world. Last year she received commissions from Black Lives Matter, for whom she wrote the song ‘WHY’ and from London youth choirs to celebrate their 10th Anniversary and the premier of her commissioned song, ‘I will Glorify,’ was sung in the Royal Albert hall on 9th May 2023 by 1,500 children, their teachers, helpers, carers and a vocal ensemble!!
Why do people harm others who are different from them? Why do people hate? I’m on a mission of LOVE!!
The Joy of Singing by Brenda Rattray, 20 Inspirational songs for schools and communities. Published by Faber Music 2008
Brenda’s focus and releases 2023/24
Her main focus for the year 2024 will be to care for her mother, work with organisations of like mind and release as much of her material as possible: Solo songs, Jazz quartet repertoire, and new Song Stories for schools and choirs!
Feel free to Listen to Brenda Rattray’s Song stories, Youtube:Brenda Rattray’s songs
As a Creative Artist, Brenda brings a challenge into every area of work she embraces:
Brenda is an Inspirational Host / Consultant, who will hold space face to face or online, assisting you in finding solutions to situations that arise within your school or organisation. She is renowned for tactfully facilitating difficult or challenging conversations!!
