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Birgitta Kenyon

Birgitta Kenyon GRSM (Hons), LRAM, PGDip(RAM), PGDip(HTS)

Birgitta trained as a classical pianist and vocal coach at the Royal Academy of Music....a number of decades ago, since which time she has been much in demand as an accompanist, composer/ arranger, choral/ workshop director, piano/ vocal soloist and teacher.

She founded, and directs, the internationally successful award-winning vocal group “The Voice Squad” - recently on TV as Finalists in the BBC Radio 3 Choir of the Year Contest. The Squad has been involved as a leading Youth Choir in a national scheme to mentor choral singing in primary schools; last May it staged Jason Robert Brown's Songs for a New World, and in July premièred a new work inspired by a collection of pictures taken in Peru by the photographer Wendy Turner.

Birgitta has also worked extensively with entertainer Richard Stilgoe as tutor at the Orpheus Centre, and was Musical Director for the première of his musical Orpheus the Mythical in Covent Garden, summer 2009. Following the recent acquisition of a postgraduate Diploma in Acting and Musical Theatre, Birgitta has performed in a number of musicals/cabarets and lectured in Musical Theatre at Suffolk New College. Christmas 2009 saw her as DM and at the keyboard for Jack and the Beanstalk at the Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds.

Future projects include more productions with the recently-formed theatre company "Half-Hour Call", performances with cabaret duo "Two's Company" and touring 40's cabaret trio production Keep calm and carry on.

Jack and the Beanstalk

Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds
4th December 2009 - 17th January 2010

From the reviews...

"Providing musical accompaniment to the proceeding came from the Musical Director Birgitta Kenyon sitting at the keyboard in the raised pit.  Her concentration did not flinch despite the bedlam immediately in front of her and she was all part of the joy of the event. [Robert Wright for Theatreworld Internet Magazine]

I would also give a special mention for the Jelly Beans who, although the youngest members of the cast, had their own lines which they all delivered professionally and Birgitta Kenyon who made her keyboards sound like a whole orchestra and added so much to the show.[Rex Mounfield for OneSuffolk]

With Birgitta Kenyon providing excellent support from her keyboards in the pit, Anthony Renshaw booming from everywhere as Gogmagog and some inventive choreography for the talented dancers, no child will leave disappointed. [Hugh Homan for Stage]

"Don't stop me now!"

Bury St Edmunds, August 2009
Pictures by
Wendy Turner
Left-click and hold to enlarge a picture

"Gold!"
Written & Directed by Simon Stallworthy
Gala Theatre, Durham, 12-16 February 2008
Left-click and hold to enlarge a picture

Children's Prom Concerts

Royal Albert Hall, 2006 and 2007


Photo by Andy Howes 		A quick change-around at the 11th hour, as the unsuspecting blonde female Song Presenter is thrown also into the shoes of the absent male Rastafarian MC .... luckily, they fit fine!

What I've been up to ...

(apart from the Voice Squad)

Year Role / Type Production / Director Company / Venue
2011 MD Individual Showcase Youth Stage Choir "The Voice Squad" Fantasyland Theatre, Eurodisney
2011 Cathy Musical The Last Five Years Paul Thacker Half Hour Call Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds
2010-11 Lecturer Musical Theatre Suffolk New College, Ipswich
2010 MD Youth Prom Showcase Youth Stage Choir "The Voice Squad" Music For Youth Royal Albert Hall
2010 Nesta Theatre La Belle Helene Robin Martin-Oliver Suffolk Opera Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds
2010 MD Musical Care for a Song, Ruthie Henshall and Guests Daniel Bunker One-off cast Regent, Ipswich
2010 Solo (Nancy/ Eponine/ Velma/ Mrs Lovett)/ Ensemble Theatre Don't Stop Me Now" Stephen Andrews Half Hour Call Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds
2010 MD/ keys Musical Orpheus the Mythical Syd Ralph/ Richard Stilgoe Orpheus Yvonne Arnaud, Guildford
2010 Jilted Bride Theatre Shakespeare Sonnet Walk Abigail Anderson Bury Festival Unitarian Meeting House, Bury St Edmunds
2010 Jeannie Theatre Jive Alive! Anthony Litton Red Barn Theatre Co Various, Suffolk/ Essex
2010 Soloist Classical Concerto Rachmaninov 2nd Piano Concerto Suffolk Sinfonia Cathedral, Bury St Edmunds
2009 - 2010 MD/ Keys Theatre Jack and the Beanstalk Abigail Anderson Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds
2009 Singer & Pianist Musical Keep Calm and Carry On Gue Productions Battersea Barge
2009 Solo vocals Commercial Educational CD Dominic Nunn Kevin Mayhew Publishers
2009 Joint Lead Vocals & Keys Musical Corporate Entertainment Self-Directed Duo Two's Company Various, East Anglia
2009 Lead Vocals Ensemble Musical Don't Stop Me Now! Stephen Andrews Half Hour Call Bury St Edmunds
2009 Mentor Musical Choral Workshops Kallaway Sing Up! Milton Keynes
2009 Composer, workshop leader Theatre Circles Richard Stilgoe The Orpheus Centre Surrey
2009 MD Musical Orpheus the Mythical Richard Stilgoe, Syd Ralph Orpheus Centre Orpheus Centre, Surrey & Opera House, Covent Garden
2008 Presenter Musical National Festival Juniors Larry Westwood National Festival of Music for Youth Birmingham Symphony Hall
2008 MD Musical BBC Radio 3 Choir of the Year Birgitta Kenyon The Voice Squad Liverpool Symphony Hall & Royal Festival Hall London
2008 MD & lead vocalist Musical Vocal group, Christmas Tour Birgitta Kenyon Vocalise Centreparcs Elveden, and various in East Anglia
2008 Elizabeth Theatre Gold! the musical Simon Stallworthy Gala Theatre Durham
2007 - 2008 AMD Musical Cinderella and the Glass Slipper Colin Blumenau Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds
2007 MD Musical "Let It Snow", "Frankenstein" showcase Kath Burlinson YMT Regent Hall, Oxford St
2007 Singer & MD Musical Christmas Tour Birgitta Kenyon Crystal Belles East Anglia
2007 AMD Musical Frankenstein BNick Stimpson YMT The Barbican, Plymouth
2007 Singer & MD Musical East Anglia Autumn Tour Birgitta Kenyon Crystal Belles Various throughout East Anglia
2007 MC Theatre Childrens' Prom Concert Larry Westland Music For Youth Royal Albert Hall
2004 - 2007 Workshop Leader & MD Workshops Orpheus Productions Richard Stilgoe The Orpheus Centre, Royal Festival Hall, Royal Opera House, Royal Albert Hall, Harlequin Theatre
2007 AMD Theatre Black Eye'd Susan Colin Blumenau Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds
2006 MC Theatre Children's Prom Concert Larry Westland Music For Youth Royal Albert Hall

 My skills...

  • I am a consummate director of musical shows and reviews, driving and inspiring, composing and inventing, choreographing and scripting
  • I am a convincing character-actress, an advanced singer (mezzo-soprano, low E to high C, that's 2½ octaves) and versatile stage musician
  • I am fluent at the keyboards, so I can participate fully in the action and yet provide just the very backing appropriate
  • I am a sensitive accompanist for singers both classical and modern, and I take the centre stage as a classical concert pianist
  • I am an entertaining and engaging presenter at classical events, from the Royal Albert Hall to the local village hall
  • I am a prolific arranger of songs, and have a considerable list of compositions to my credit
  • In addition to the piano and keyboards, I can play the violin competently, and a 'smattering' of double bass and flute