OPERA singer, singing teacher and musical director, Jeanette Wainwright, is going to be starting men’s and women’s harmony singing groups in the Northallerton area.

After leading groups in and around Saltburn and the Stokesley area, Jeanette wants to include many more people who want to sing and join with her 100 voices choir in their popular shows. There is to be a women’s day group in Northallerton Town Hall, and separate women’s and men’s evening groups in the East Harlsey Village Hall. There will be free taster sessions coming up in July.

The singing runs over two terms, with each term culminating in a large concert, the proceeds of which will go to the charity, School Aid India. Every style of music is sung, from contemporary pop, to ancient chants to gospel to classical, musicals and jazz.

Trained at Guildhall, Jeanette has sung with many English opera companies. Her operatic roles range from Olga in Eugene Onegin to Rossini`s Cinderella. Her concert work has taken her to the Royal Festival Hall, the Barbican and the Aldeburgh Festival performing with orchestras such as the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Opera North Orchestra and the Composer’s Ensemble.

Since February 2000, when she first moved from Nottingham to Saltburn, Jeanette’s choirs have steadily grown in size. It’s not uncommon, at some of her concerts, to hear 160 voices singing together.

“Having to find a big enough venue is a problem I'm happy to have,'' says Jeanette. ''I love leading big choirs. The bigger the better. People do not have to read music to join, nor will they be expected to memorise the words. I like to encourage people who come from all experiences of singing, from people who have sung for years to those that like the idea of singing but have not the courage – or indeed think they can’t sing.

"I delight in seeing the pleasure on people’s faces when they achieve. I count myself very lucky to be doing a job I love and working with such great people.”

“Sessions with Jeanette are so much fun, and she has a can-do approach to tackling all kinds of songs. When all the choirs sing together, the sound is amazing,” said a choir member.

Another of her singers said: “I have always loved hearing big harmony singing groups but never dreamt that I could be part of one. I can’t quite believe it’s me making that fantastic sound.”

If you want to ‘give it a go’, you can contact Jeanette by calling 07884020031 or by emailing jeanette.wainwright1@outlook.com or via the website at www.jwainwrightsinging.co.uk.

Jeanette’s next concert is at 7pm on July 11 at Yarm the Princess Alexandra Auditorium, Yarm School. Tickets are £10 and are available on the school website www.thepaaonline.org.