REVIEWS

It has been great to collaborate with Amy and The Songwriting Project on several occasions as part of Devon’s Connecting Actively to Nature programme for over 55’s. The Nature Songs projects and events are a unique way to connect people to nature, and get them active and socially connected in a relaxed and friendly way.

I was lucky enough to visit and take part in a session and it was a relaxing and positive experience, I am no singer but there was no need to worry about that due to the inclusive nature of the way Amy runs the sessions. I came away feeling refreshed and relaxed and calm.

Active Devon has supported many types of activity in nature over recent years and we are passionate about supporting innovative ways to help people’s heath and wellbeing through nature and activity, I have no doubt that those involved in this project have benefitted in many ways, and maybe even re-discovered a joy for singing!

Tom Mack – Partnerships Manager, Active Devon

It has been great to collaborate with Amy and The Songwriting Project on several occasions as part of Devon’s Connecting Actively to Nature programme for over 55’s. The Nature Songs projects and events are a unique way to connect people to nature, and get them active and socially connected in a relaxed and friendly way.

I was lucky enough to visit and take part in a session and it was a relaxing and positive experience, I am no singer but there was no need to worry about that due to the inclusive nature of the way Amy runs the sessions. I came away feeling refreshed and relaxed and calm.

Active Devon has supported many types of activity in nature over recent years and we are passionate about supporting innovative ways to help people’s heath and wellbeing through nature and activity, I have no doubt that those involved in this project have benefitted in many ways, and maybe even re-discovered a joy for singing!

Tom Mack – Partnerships Manager, Active Devon

Amy worked with us on the Exeter Book project as a choir session facilitator. Over the course of the project, she has been punctual, reliable and enthusiastic, drawing out excellent creative contributions from participants. She has been skilled at adapting to the changing demands of the project, moving from chairing song writing sessions to supporting rehearsals to writing and teaching original pieces to the choir. I heartily recommend her for any and all future employment and projects. Please feel free to contact me if you require any further information.

Jack Dean – Director, Jack Dean and Company

Amy worked with us on the Exeter Book project as a choir session facilitator. Over the course of the project, she has been punctual, reliable and enthusiastic, drawing out excellent creative contributions from participants. She has been skilled at adapting to the changing demands of the project, moving from chairing song writing sessions to supporting rehearsals to writing and teaching original pieces to the choir. I heartily recommend her for any and all future employment and projects. Please feel free to contact me if you require any further information.

Jack Dean – Director, Jack Dean and Company

We commissioned Amy to run a digital songwriting project as part of Get Creative. Get Creative is the Exeter Northcott Theatre’s community commissioning programme for small-scale ideas focused around realising the creative ambitions of a community.

Amy’s community songwriting project was carefully thought-out, meticulously planned, efficiently run and excellently delivered. She is a natural group facilitator, who rapidly put the group at ease. She ensured everyone felt comfortable and safe throughout the process. So much so, in fact, that she inspired even those who were adamant they ‘couldn’t sing’ to give it a go! When participants shared their experiences at the final celebration event, it was apparent just how much the group enjoyed the project, and appreciated, admired and respected Amy as their leader.

At the Northcott, we were particularly pleased to hear that, as a result of the project, the group have plans to meet and sing together ‘in real life’, and are hoping to establish a physical choir for their local area in the future. This is in no small part thanks to Amy, and her project.  

Nicole Redfern, Community Engagement Producer, Exeter Northcott Theatre

We commissioned Amy to run a digital songwriting project as part of Get Creative. Get Creative is the Exeter Northcott Theatre’s community commissioning programme for small-scale ideas focused around realising the creative ambitions of a community.

Amy’s community songwriting project was carefully thought-out, meticulously planned, efficiently run and excellently delivered. She is a natural group facilitator, who rapidly put the group at ease. She ensured everyone felt comfortable and safe throughout the process. So much so, in fact, that she inspired even those who were adamant they ‘couldn’t sing’ to give it a go! When participants shared their experiences at the final celebration event, it was apparent just how much the group enjoyed the project, and appreciated, admired and respected Amy as their leader.

At the Northcott, we were particularly pleased to hear that, as a result of the project, the group have plans to meet and sing together ‘in real life’, and are hoping to establish a physical choir for their local area in the future. This is in no small part thanks to Amy, and her project.  

Nicole Redfern, Community Engagement Producer, Exeter Northcott Theatre

I was a participant in the Duryard Song Writing Project hosted by Amy. I found the sessions well formulated and constructive, and her guidance and support invaluable. She was amazing at motivating the participants and creating a positive synergy amongst the group. I found her easy to work with, incredibly patient and encouraging. Her positive attitude also meant that she instantly put me at ease and instill such confidence in me, making the sessions much more enjoyable. Thank you Amy!! I have enjoyed the sessions tremendously and hope you are able to secure further fundings for similar projects for the community.

BH, Participant in the Duryard Songwriting Project 

I was a participant in the Duryard Song Writing Project hosted by Amy. I found the sessions well formulated and constructive, and her guidance and support invaluable. She was amazing at motivating the participants and creating a positive synergy amongst the group. I found her easy to work with, incredibly patient and encouraging. Her positive attitude also meant that she instantly put me at ease and instill such confidence in me, making the sessions much more enjoyable. Thank you Amy!! I have enjoyed the sessions tremendously and hope you are able to secure further fundings for similar projects for the community.

BH, Participant in the Duryard Songwriting Project 

Amy really helped us from the beginning, communicating through a series of emails. This included consent to be part of a video. I think I was nervous at first because I realised I would have to learn a number of skills myself. However, as we talked through song writing process and the ideas for a song in session 1 I felt more at ease. During session 1 Amy guided us through the many ideas about lockdown and what we should include in the song. Many ideas came up. This included the thrust and shape of the song. Amy wrote all the words and possible ideas that could be included in the verses. By session 2, Amy produced an option sheet that I thought was really helpful. What an ingenious way formulate lots of ideas? To me this was an insight into Amy’s skill as a song writer. As I am not a song writer I learnt something here that I would try and do myself in the future. […] the words and the music was incredible and very well put together. […] I have never put together a video and that was a lot of fun to do. I also learned the importance of listening to others and respecting their talents and contributions to the song writing process. Thank you Amy for the opportunity to take part.

AS, Participant in the Lockdown Songwriting Project 

Amy really helped us from the beginning, communicating through a series of emails. This included consent to be part of a video. I think I was nervous at first because I realised I would have to learn a number of skills myself. However, as we talked through song writing process and the ideas for a song in session 1 I felt more at ease. During session 1 Amy guided us through the many ideas about lockdown and what we should include in the song. Many ideas came up. This included the thrust and shape of the song. Amy wrote all the words and possible ideas that could be included in the verses. By session 2, Amy produced an option sheet that I thought was really helpful. What an ingenious way formulate lots of ideas? To me this was an insight into Amy’s skill as a song writer. As I am not a song writer I learnt something here that I would try and do myself in the future. […] the words and the music was incredible and very well put together. […] I have never put together a video and that was a lot of fun to do. I also learned the importance of listening to others and respecting their talents and contributions to the song writing process. Thank you Amy for the opportunity to take part.

AS, Participant in the Lockdown Songwriting Project