A VOCAL coach is set to bring a new all-women choir to Colchester and a city centre business is helping the idea come to life.
Megan Juniper, 33, of Colchester, is the founder of Boudicca Belles, a new choir which will have its first session on September 4 at Serenity Brides in Short Wyre Street.
The musical theatre lover has been into vocal coaching since 2012 and has a BA Honours in music theatre, and a Masters in musical theatre from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
The idea to launch a choir came after being inspired during an International Women’s Day event at Firstsite in March last year.
After some of her students suggested a choir earlier this year, Megan is finally launching Boudicca Belles next month.
It will be held every Wednesday for an eight-week period from 7.30pm to 9.30pm and will cover a wide range of music from different genres.
Megan said: “I thought we’ve got all these amazing women around us and thought it would be great to bring all their voices together.
“Julie Macrae of Serenity Brides has very kindly offered the space. I felt overjoyed - the generosity was great.
“I am excited and a bit anxious as I don’t know how many people will turn up, but we still have a few weeks yet.
“What is great is that it is going to be very relaxed. We are open to anyone who identifies as female.
"If you just love signing and want to come along, then this is going to be a really good choir.
“I have a background in singing, so there will be technique in there as well.”
A taster session was held in July with almost 20 people attending, which “amazed” Megan as she thought just ten would turn up.
Businesswoman Julie has lived in Colchester all her life and has started many successful businesses.
After selling her business House Hunters off in 2016, she "needed to do something” and became more invested in her bridal business, Serenity Brides, which will be the temporary home for the choir.
Julie originally met Megan after Julie’s husband bought her singing lessons as a Christmas present one year.
Growing up, Julie always adored singing and is now excited to offer the space to the choir and get involved with it.
Julie said: “Being an older woman, I started to lose my voice.
" I used to sing in a group as a teenager.
“My husband asked what I wanted for Christmas, and I said singing lessons.
"Megan and I have been friends ever since. She is lovely to work with - very talented.
“I said why don’t we use Serenity to get the choir going and see where it goes. If it does work, she may have to expand and find another premises.
“I’m just excited to sing and be part of a group. Megan got us singing in harmony in a short period during the taster session and that was exciting.”
Anyone wanting to join the choir can book a free taster. Further sessions cost £5 each.
To book for the choir, visit bookwhen.com/boudiccabelles.
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