Happy New Year everyone! May 2016 be full of love, laughter and good health. For me, it's going to be a year of adventure, music, love, travel and fitness, and simply making a difference to people in our crazy and beautiful world doing what I love!
I'll be doing lots of gigs & composing with wonderfully talented musicians from Bliss Art Bliss Art, Shanti Monti & Jana Amali and fellow jazzers along the way. I will continue to work hard leading my choirs, The Rainbow Chorus, The Martlets Hospice GOOD VIBRATIONS Choir, supporting the Trans Community, Clare Project - Transgender Support Group , Non-Binary Gender community, running voice workshops to help people build their vocal confidence be it for public speaking at a conference or singing on stage or for themselves.
I'll be traveling to a few different countries including Holland with the Rainbow Chorus and Denver, USA with Martin Brophy to lead the European Queer Choir at GALA Choruses GALA Chorus Members and I simply can't wait to allow myself to be present at those amazing moments in my life!
Planning on getting a few gigs in along the way and seeing friends around the globe. I'll continue to work hard to make a positive difference to everyone I meet, sharing the best of me and all that I learn. Get in touch if I can help YOU with fulfilling some of your dreams or if you simply want to get involved with anything i'm involved in! Have you always wanted a singing lesson / singing therapy or to do some confidence building work?
The Rainbow Chorus is an incredibly supportive choir within the LGBT community and we still have spaces for MEN. We now offer additional singing opportunities under our Rainbow Chorus Umbrella with our Rainbow Chorus Plus Sessions, so you can still come and sing even if it's not in the big choir. They are always fun and you'll go away having learned some useful musical skills.
And of course the Martlets Hospice is an incredible hospice supporting so many people at crucial times in their lives. Singing in the GOOD VIBRATIONS choir is just one of the ways you can support it and be supported. I am always so touched, moved and inspired when I speak to the many volunteers and staff who give so much of themselves to this incredible place. In February i'll be doing a Valentines JukeBox gig where you can pre order songs you want to dedicate to your loved one and of course on 8th March it's INTERNATIONAL WOMEN's DAY so i'll be running singing workshops for that!
So, if I can help YOU, just remember, you know me by now, that I always plan for the ride to be hard work, sweaty (!) but satisfying, nourishing and fun as many of you know! You will FEEL ALIVE! ... Just think back to the last concert or gig and how you felt despite thinking you'd never achieve it during rehearsals!
I hope that you allow yourselves to follow your hearts and fulfill some of your dreams in 2016. As Thelonious Monk said 'NOW's THE TIME!' Don't wait for someone else to give you permission, JUST TO IT!.. (ok, that one is Nike!) And, knowing how precious life is i'd say to you from my heart, we don't know when our last day is. Life is for living. Don't wait, do it now! Going out to realise your dreams is incredible and GIVING can give your experience of life something ever so nourishing so think about volunteering in some way. It WILL change something in you!
So, it's the start of 2016....
What are you going to GIVE to our world, of all the beautiful gifts that you offer as a person on our planet? ... I can see you smiling now, and that's a wonderful thing to share with another soul:-)
Love to every single one of you. May this year be one incredible year for you and may you get your hearts desires too!
Love Aneesa Chaudhry x
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Aneesa Chaudhry Gigs, Choirs, Coaching & workshops / Blog
2016.... A New Year begins!
Happy New Year everyone! May 2016 be full of love, laughter and good health. For me, it's going to be a year of adventure, music, love, travel and fitness, and simply making a difference to people in our crazy and beautiful world doing what I love!
I'll be doing lots of gigs & composing with wonderfully talented musicians from Bliss Art Bliss Art, Shanti Monti & Jana Amali and fellow jazzers along the way. I will continue to work hard leading my choirs, The Rainbow Chorus, The Martlets Hospice GOOD VIBRATIONS Choir, supporting the Trans Community, Clare Project - Transgender Support Group , Non-Binary Gender community, running voice workshops to help people build their vocal confidence be it for public speaking at a conference or singing on stage or for themselves.
I'll be traveling to a few different countries including Holland with the Rainbow Chorus and Denver, USA with Martin Brophy to lead the European Queer Choir at GALA Choruses GALA Chorus Members and I simply can't wait to allow myself to be present at those amazing moments in my life!
Planning on getting a few gigs in along the way and seeing friends around the globe. I'll continue to work hard to make a positive difference to everyone I meet, sharing the best of me and all that I learn. Get in touch if I can help YOU with fulfilling some of your dreams or if you simply want to get involved with anything i'm involved in! Have you always wanted a singing lesson / singing therapy or to do some confidence building work?
The Rainbow Chorus is an incredibly supportive choir within the LGBT community and we still have spaces for MEN. We now offer additional singing opportunities under our Rainbow Chorus Umbrella with our Rainbow Chorus Plus Sessions, so you can still come and sing even if it's not in the big choir. They are always fun and you'll go away having learned some useful musical skills.
And of course the Martlets Hospice is an incredible hospice supporting so many people at crucial times in their lives. Singing in the GOOD VIBRATIONS choir is just one of the ways you can support it and be supported. I am always so touched, moved and inspired when I speak to the many volunteers and staff who give so much of themselves to this incredible place. In February i'll be doing a Valentines JukeBox gig where you can pre order songs you want to dedicate to your loved one and of course on 8th March it's INTERNATIONAL WOMEN's DAY so i'll be running singing workshops for that!
So, if I can help YOU, just remember, you know me by now, that I always plan for the ride to be hard work, sweaty (!) but satisfying, nourishing and fun as many of you know! You will FEEL ALIVE! ... Just think back to the last concert or gig and how you felt despite thinking you'd never achieve it during rehearsals!
I hope that you allow yourselves to follow your hearts and fulfill some of your dreams in 2016. As Thelonious Monk said 'NOW's THE TIME!' Don't wait for someone else to give you permission, JUST TO IT!.. (ok, that one is Nike!) And, knowing how precious life is i'd say to you from my heart, we don't know when our last day is. Life is for living. Don't wait, do it now! Going out to realise your dreams is incredible and GIVING can give your experience of life something ever so nourishing so think about volunteering in some way. It WILL change something in you!
So, it's the start of 2016.... What are you going to GIVE to our world, of all the beautiful gifts that you offer as a person on our planet? ... I can see you smiling now, and that's a wonderful thing to share with another soul:-)
Love to every single one of you. May this year be one incredible year for you and may you get your hearts desires too!
Love Aneesa Chaudhry x
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Hearing my choirs on BBC Sussex & Surrey
Well lovely people, I have a very annoying chesty cough but have been sharing the special season with my twin and dad and will continue the celebrations and time off with loved ones over the festive season.
In the mean time, you've already heard my Martlets Hospice GOOD VIBRATIONS choir on BBC Sussex Radio Station this Christmas and you'll soon have the chance to hear my local LGBT choir, Rainbow Chorus sing at 14.35 (UK).
Dear all I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who has submitted a recording of a Christmas carol or a song. We have been inundated and the quality has been to a high standard. Please find below a list of some of the choirs that we will be featuring....
Christmas Day Friday 25 December BBC Sussex and BBC Surrey – 235: The Rainbow Chorus, Brighton and Hove
Best wishes Mark Carter, Assistant Editor, BBC Sussex and BBC Surrey and if you want to tweet all about it you can do so here: Twitter: @markcartermc
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The joys of working towards something ALTOGETHER!!
Fantastic work from Rainbow Chorus members at yesterdays rehearsal. Yes, we stayed inside even though it was sunny. So much covered and we've come on leaps and bounds. My body is still exhausted but I reflect on what's being achieved in the lead up to Hand In Hand Brighton and our 18th Birthday Concert. I'm loving seeing the change. I'm trying to practice gratitude and not push too hard and remember to 'keep in real' in the words of one of my fave organ accompanists. (Aussie so it helps to stay cool!). These amazing people are not professional singers and are coming to rehearsal after rehearsal, sectionals, committee meetings for the big festival next weekend as well as our own concert. Can't wait to see their faces as they walk onto the stage at Brighton Dome, sing their hearts out and take in every second of their performance in front of an appreciative audience! If you haven't got your tickets yet, it'll be a special night. LGBT choirs are coming from all over the country. There will be good vibes all over Brighton! Aneesa Chaudhry x
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Feel The Fear & Do It Anyway - Susan Jeffers
ONLY 5 DAYS TO GO before my WOMEN ONLY Singing Workshop in celebration of International Women's Day!!!! Friends, please share with any women who you think'd enjoy it! Thanks Aneesa x A few people have been saying they'd like to come to my WOMEN ONLY singing workshop which is this Sunday on International Women's Day, but are worried about their voices being any good, their ability to sing in tune and not having confidence. Well I tell you this ladies, girls, sisters, friends, family and women of our world!, I am TOTALLY committed to making sure you have a great time! I have been running voice workshops for years and can assure you that what matters first and foremost is that you have a GREAT TIME! That's my responsibility not yours. You can come with the biggest bag full of fear, doubt and worry that you can carry and empty it into my space and I can assure you that I will deal with it like any proper SISTA, PROFESSIONAL, WORKSHOP LEADER would and what's more, you will find yourself letting go of that bag full of heavy stuff before you know it! You'll feel much lighter as the minutes pass by, your heart will start racing for a different reason and before you know it you'll be singing and FEELING GREAT! Singing is a FEELING and we all have those don't we! You'll laugh, you'll dance and you may even cry and you'll be in positive, loving energy with me and lots of lovely female energy. Don't think too much, we have to fight hard for our space as women in this crazy & beautiful world and International Women's Day is just for YOU!!! This isn't one for men you may have noticed! Just come and enjoy yourselves. There are already women signed up so you definitely won't be alone and besides i'm simply not into making people feel uncomfortable. I'll stretch you so that you reach YOUR OWN POTENTIAL so your level and ability are my challenge and not for you to worry about and i'll relish it! Bring out the best in your is one of my purposes in life! If you have any questions, just ping me a message and i'll do my best to answer it. Only 5 days to go! Book your space now! https://ssachoir8mar15.eventbrite.co.uk Here are some comments from people who have came to last year's International Women's Day Singing Workshop: An amazing experience! Thanky ou Aneesa for your infectious enthusiasm and turning us into a pretty damn good choir in an hour! A great way to celebrate International womens day, if any of the other women are interested in repeating the experience, say on a monthly basis i would be up for it? If so email Aneesa with your interest and lets do it! Cat Halewood, 12 Mar 14 Inspiring! energising! we went straight in there and sang during a morning workshop with Aneesa, a group of 15 or so strangers, she made us feel like we sure can sing, and within just 2 hours got us performing together on stage at the Brighton Library, and made us all feel like Divas, with lots of laughter & people connecting, straight or gay, thank you for an amazing International Women's Day!...i want more Imke Elstner, 10 Mar 14 Aneesa works wonders. Singing with her was so much fun, I can't recommend it enough. As a complete beginner I found myself singing things I would never dreamed of and enjoying every minute of it :) Thank you!! Elisea Mar 14. And, here's a little video or lots of happy women's from all over the world at one of my singing workshops organised by Travel women in Lesvos. As you an see even when English isn't your first language fantastic things can happen with, beautiful energy and people! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEznNT2f2po&index=1&list=PLNubTly6I5exkNqvgwFeAq81mro6r_Fvs Imke Elstner, Monika Lieberherr Brenda Oosterbaan, Marleen Baerveldt, Elke Amberg, Helen Zorn, Leny Wiggers, Shaz Mayell, Ruth Hughes, Karen Shields Morton, Rosalie Nickerson, Vanessa Nickerson
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Rise Charity - 1 Billion Rising! - Say NO to violence against Women and Girls
I'm delighted to be performing on Valentines Day for Rise Charity at their fundraising event One Billion Rising and just in case you didn't know, it's the largest week of action in the history of V-Day, the global activist movement to end violence against women and girls!! I've been thinking about why I feel so strongly that I want to play my part and what sharing the event means. For me, I feel I can show my support with singing or speaking at these sorts of events. When I close my eyes and think about some of the awful scenes I see in films or hear from people I know it reminds me that I am SO lucky to be a British Asian Muslim who is not straight and grew up in a very tolerant society. How different my life could have been had I not been born here and given the family and 'Family!' I have. So, here's a few words that might prompt you to think about this topic too. I heard about the charity RISE when I first came to Brighton and as I said in another post, it reminds me of my Barrister training days, wanting to stand up for those who couldn't and I did it then with representing people. These days I do it more with public speaking and singing. It upsets me every single time I stop to think about it, that we live in a world where for some humans, being violent towards women and girls, be it with ACTIONS or WORDS is ok in their eyes! So, that means that there are women and girls who are scared not knowing the next time they will be hurt and for some, KNOWING when the next time will be. Imagine living in that fear. It's our job as women, sisters, friends, lovers, daughters, mothers, brothers, fathers, uncles, in fact all of us to make a stand for those who can't. Violence against the women and girls of our world is NOT EVER EVER OK! I will be there on Feb 14th and I know there will be events happening all over the place all through out the week. Why not pause to think about whether you want to or can do anything to help, be it to attend this fundraiser, one of the events, or even become a volunteer and make a difference in not only your life but the life of others. You will probably be helping to change someones life for the better and I can assure you, your life will be enriched if you play a part. Love Aneesa x -- 07957 395 293 Gigs: www.reverbnation.com/aneesachaudhry or www.aneesachaudhry.com Singing Workshops / Event Management / Team Building: www.thevoicebox.biz Join my mailing list, click HERE Facebook / Skype / Twitter: aneesachaudhry
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Vocal Empowerment- Team Building & Singing
The next couple of weeks are filled with majorly exciting moments delivering training, team building sessions and songs at choirs & workshops. Yesterday BLISS ART met with all our talent to prepare for a Civil Partnership in 2 weeks time. Did you know that we LOVE singing at Civil Partnerships and weddings?! www.reverbnation.com/blissart. We write originals and also offer great arrangements of covers. Tonight is the RAINBOW CHORUS New Members Night. A huge 35 or so are expected and I can't wait to get my hands on them. This community choir is going from strength to strength i'm proud to say...and so it begins! Tomorrow i'm delivering Presentation Skills Training for Spider on the Wall at the RAF members club in London and on Thursday a Foreign Office Away Day, packed full of strategic planning and of course some fun surprises. Then delivering experiential learning work for Magnified Learning. An amazing company who do great work with employees in companies in educational settings. I LOVE this work! I've ironed shirts for the next few weeks, got boots and 5 inch heels at the ready. Only thing left for this little diva to do is get out my straighteners! See you all along the way! And remember, if you want an little AneesaDiva fix, just get in touch. I'm little, with big impact and all about bringing out the best in people. Like my old school moto said (Maiden Erlegh School, Reading), 'If You Want To, You Can'. Aneesa x
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The power of singing in a choir- nourishing my heart and soul
This week signifies a very special singing experience in my life. From 11-18 years old, I had many wonderful years singing with the Central Berkshire Girls Choir under the musical direction of the choral arranger & legend, Gwyn Arch. I remember being a little scared of him but in awe of him at the same time. It is because of him that I decided to set up many of the choirs and voice projects that I did, involving and encouraging people to sing. I set up www.thevoicebox.biz and am currently the Musical Director of Brighton and Hove’s @RainbowChorus, the South’s only LGBT SATB choir of which I’m very proud. So, this Saturday is the 20year reunion of the Tour we did in 1992. There were about 40 of us girls and 2 men! We screamed, we laughed, we sang everywhere and anywhere we could. We cried and bonded and still cherish the experience because that’s what singing does! Members of the choir still remember their voice parts 20 years on, some having not sung for as many years. I am so glad that we can be with the wonderful Gwyn and be reunited one more time with friends and families who shared then in the euphoria and no doubt will do once again on Saturday. Singing is a feeling as I always teach and it brings so much to our lives. I am grateful that it has given me so many hours of nourishment my heart and soul. Saturday will be a moment in our history, for all who will be there. I can’t wait and will treasure every moment of being conducted again by my inspiration, Gwyn Arch and to share in the magic of singing songs that make me feel totally alive!
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This time next week, i'll be singing in Edinburgh!
This time next week i'll be on my way to Edinburgh with Bliss Art Bliss Art girls to play 3 gigs and to run a community singing workshop! Can't wait. Rehearsals are well underway and i've been in touch with all sorts of potential fans including the lovely James Edward Wilson, Edinburgh Badminton Club & Slovenian Consulate! Who knows what audience we'll get! Our gigs are at the following venues & times: Fri 12, 2-4pm Blind Poet Edinburgh, Sat 13, 21.15-21.45 Leith on the Fringe, Out of the Blue, Sun 14, 11.45-12.45 Singing Workshop & Gig 4.30-6pm @The Blind Poet
Been writing furiously to reviewers and even got in touch with an old pal who reviewed me about 10 yrs ago when i sang at the Fringe for the first time thanks to my good friend Ali Adolph @ the The Short and Girlie Show More from me soon! Aneesa Chaudhry x
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Will my feet touch the ground
It's a bit of everything at the moment; daddy was in hospital and is now recovering after a major op. Thank goodness he's home and thank goodness we have loving friends and family. This Friday is my Singing Workshop & Concert for resident in Kensington & Chelsea. The 2 choirs come together for the first time tonight! I'm v excited. Gig at Soul Bar was cancelled due to licensing problems but the chap who booked me felt so terrible that he's offered me any date I want in September. No one ever wants those things to happen and in the world of live music, you sometimes have to fight ever so hard for things to happen. What else? Gosh, Brighton, London, Reading. Trying to plan Edinburgh, Greece & The Netherlands and....and time to pause for breath! xx
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GREECE SPRING Festival success
Yasu one and all! There is soooo much I want to say and only a brief window of time to say it. So, most important things first! A HUGE thank you to my band & team within BLISS ART, Jana & Monte for your commitment to creating the best live experience we could hope to give an audience and of course to Nadine for helping with the arrangements, musical ones and on the practical side of the tour! And to Jinny & Rob & Micky (with the guillotine) for helping to get the CDs out there. To my friends and family, epsecially daddy & Aisha, for your encouragement and support they always give me and to my new (rather good looking) fans from The Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany etc etc!
And of course to Tascha for her generosity & love to get us all out there!
I will write more but for now wanted to just say a huge THANK YOU to everyone who helped us live some of our dreams ...AND....to request that anyone who enjoyed our gig / the singing workshop, please email me your email address, telephone & country. I am having real difficulty in reading the addresses on the mailing list. I know, I know, I should have checked on the beach!
Hear from you soon. Love Aneesa aneesachaudhry@googlemail.com / +44 7957 395 293
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