Joyce Edwards ~ Soprano

I began singing anything and everything at the top of my voice almost before I could walk. The local vicar took pity on me and asked me to sing in the church choir when I was 9 years. At 12 years, I won a scholarship to Trinity College of Music, London, where I studied under Renee Bell and Elizabeth Hawes for 5 years before becoming a full time student. I gained my FTCL and LRAM Diplomas in solo singing together with teaching diplomas LTCL and LRAM. I went on to Teacher Training College, where I gained my Cert. Ed. I then taught in primary schools for a number of years.

Recitals, Oratorios, radio and television followed and I sang with the Handel Opera Society and Nonsuch Opera Society where I sang several principal operatic roles both in UK and abroad. I gave up my professional singing to have a family but have managed to continue in a semi professional way for most of my adult life.

I now live in Merthyr and have been a member of the GBS since 2000. I run my own computerised embroidery business, and also a website for artists. I teach adults who have dyslexia one day a week which gets me out of the house.

I love singing with the Gwent Bach, which has given me many new friends. The choir is one of the friendliest I have ever sung with. The conductor, Roger Langford and the accompanist, Vaughan Bennett make a great team and together we have all contributed to some memorable performances.