About Holly

Holly is a singing leader specialising in community music and harmony songs from the country of Georgia, where she spent many years living and learning about folk music.

She leads open-access workshops and choirs in Oxford.

Holly trained as a Natural Voice leader, and believes that singing is for everybody, regardless of their musical experience or ability.

She enjoys combining mindfulness techniques and somatic exercises into her practice, using the whole body as an instrument.

Her years of theatre training mean she can facilitate an inclusive and playful space, whether that’s in a community garden, a yurt or village hall!

Her practice involves embodied voice work, exploring how the voice resonates in different parts of one’s body, and how that resonance can create a fuller ensemble sound.

Training and Experience

 

  • Two month placement in Musicality and mutuality. 
    – Gardzienice Centre for Theatre Practices, Poland. 2017
  • Study trip of Georgia folk songs and chants 
    -Villages of West Georgia with Malkhaz Erkvanidze. 2017. 
  • Wild Harmonies Singing Workshop
    with Helen Chadwick. 2021
  • Natural Voice Leader training
    Week-long course with Frankie Armstrong. 2022.
  • Advanced Circlesinging and CVI training for Vocal Leaders
    with Guillermo Rozenthuler. 2022
  • Ongoing facilitator training in somatic voice practice
    With Frank Kane. 2024-present.

My Female Ancestors

In 2021 I was commissioned by the Old Fire Station, Oxford to create a film about my female ancestors. 

Don’t Forget Us is a celebration and exploration of female lineage and creativity. Working with visual artist Lydia Markham, I imagine what advice my ancestors would give me and what I would say to them, if I could. 

Pianist Tim Smith and soprano Megan Strachan help recreate the music that has echoed down the branches of my family tree.

Arts Council Funded

In 2022 I was awarded funding by Arts Council England’s “Develop Your Creative Practice” scheme, which supports artists who want to make a step change in their career. The fund enabled me to take part in two trainings which were invaluable for my practice:
Natural Voice Leader training – a week-long course with Frankie Armstrong.
Advanced Circlesinging and CVI training for Vocal Leaders with Guillermo Rozenthuler.

My development plan also included receiving mentoring from Emily Marshall, acquiring a shruti box and building this website!