As we edge ever so cautiously out of the pandemic, aeroplanes are starting to take off, events are returning and more importantly, people are venturing back out in the wider world to make up for lost time.
With punters flocking to their much-missed gigs and shows, we caught up with West End Musical Choir Leader, Katie Louise Dunkerley, 33, who grew up in Deal before moving to Bermondsey, to find out more about the choir and the influence her time spent in our neck of the woods has had on her journey so far.
Talking about some of her inspirations and how they helped shape her earlier years, Katie explains: “My Dad has been a big influence in introducing me to different styles and eras, he adores music. I began dance classes in Ballroom and Latin, Ballet, Jazz and Tap at Footsteps Dance Studios in Deal with Jean and Chris Balfour. I then took up singing lessons with a local based vocal coach, Avril Gray.
“My training with them led to me to Leigh on Sea, Essex to continue my training at Tiffany Theatre College.
“I spent many years working at the family business, Dunkerley’s of Deal. I adore the local history with the lifeboats, smugglers and castles. I am always proud to visit the family and enjoy the serenity it brings away from the city.”
Katie moved to Bermondsey, London, in 2014 but it wasn’t until the pandemic eased in 2021 that the job role as Choir Leader presented itself: “As the pandemic eased the community of the West End Musical Choir grew with popular demand! In 2021 I became a Choir Leader, the team operate around various London and Manchester locations with the leadership of our incredible Choir Founder, Charlie Morrison. I love working with the team and we have such talented musical directors. But our wonderful members each week, they never fail to bring me joy!”
What have been some of the stand out performances you’ve been involved in?
“Most recently, we performed live on the BBC to sing the New Year in! I’ve tap danced on the One Show, recorded at Abbey Road Studios, performed at the Royal Albert Hall and Disneyland’s European Press Launch annually and the choir recently created some vocal projects for Come From Away and Prince of Egypt in the West End that went viral.”
Do you have any upcoming gigs/shows that you would like our readers to know about?
“I would love to share but I am sworn to secrecy at the moment on many upcoming gigs! Feel free to follow @westendmusicalchoir and watch this space. It’s going to be an epic year!”