who we are

Catherine Dyson

After an early career in human resources, Catherine took several years “off” to raise her three young children.   She founded Vocality in Esher in January 2004 because she couldn’t find anywhere locally where, as an inexperienced and non music reading lover of singing, she could indulge this passion in a friendly relaxed environment and could sing the sort of material rarely found in traditional choirs.   When Catherine met Ruth in 2007 they decided to team up to expand Vocality in the community and prepare to bring it into the workplace.

I experience Vocality on two levels, both as a singer and as the non-musical director.   I absolutely love both my roles in this organisation and my participation in Vocality in Esher keeps me in touch with the needs of the members of our choirs.   There are so many things which make Vocality very special for me – not least the friends I have made, the buzz after a great rehearsal or concert and the feedback I frequently receive from singers who go as far as to say that Vocality has changed their lives.  I know what they mean;  it has certainly changed mine!

Ruth Fenton

Born into a musical family, singing has been a large part of Ruth’s life since she could talk.  Classically trained in singing, piano and viola, Ruth studied at The University of Birmingham, where she conducted the University Chamber Choir and Orchestra, before going on to study choral conducting and jazz singing at l'Ecole National de Musique, Lyon.   She currently works directing large and small vocal and instrumental ensembles, performing as a singer, leading workshops and teaching singing and piano.

My love for singing, and helping and enabling other people to sing, is my primary motivation as the musical director of Vocality.   Seeing people stand taller and literally blossom in front of my eyes as they hear the beautiful music they are creating, just with their voices, makes every rehearsal or performance an exciting and joyful journey of discovery.   I want everyone, who has the slightest inclination or curiosity to express themselves through singing with others, to have the opportunity to do so.

Nick Lawson

As well as being a qualified accountant and experienced business director and consultant, Nick has been involved in making music since his school days.   Early flute and guitar lessons led on to singing in a school chapel choir and singing has been his musical focus ever since.   Over the years Nick has sung with amateur and semi-professional choirs based in Oxford and London and became involved with Vocality very early on in its life.

From the early days it was clear to me that Vocality was going to be special and that singing without sheet music would open the choir up to anyone and give them the opportunity to achieve something remarkable.  This has certainly proved true and the journey continues.