For care home residents, the past year has been isolating and lonely, unable to see loved ones and trapped away from the rest of the world. Braintree and wider Essex care home residents, however, have been treated to incredible live performances by local classical singer, Nancy May.
Based in Cressing, Braintree, Nancy May is an amazing Soprano and Classical crossover artist who seeks to make classical singing accessible to everyone through her performances, offering a blend of traditional and contemporary styles.
Of course, like so many others when the pandemic hit last March, Nancy’s professional career halted and the 40-date theatre tour she was preparing for was cancelled. Instead of simply sitting at home, Nancy decided to she wanted to keep singing and do something special for those in her community. Therefore, throughout 2020 and ongoing today, she started singing in around 50 care home gardens in Braintree and Essex for residents, including Millard House care home and Boars Tye home.
She started worked with FaNs network, a charity run by friends and neighbours across Essex supporting care home residents across the region; Nancy told CommunityAd, “Their work is amazing and it’s been wonderful to work with them; I hope to continue to work with them in the future.”
Nancy took to singing on doorsteps, bringing much needed joy to residents in Essex and raising money for charity; she would even receive nominations from people who wanted to sing for people’s birthdays/special occasions.
With COVID restrictions, Nancy also decided to put on some wonderful Facebook live concerts, sharing them in community pages, inviting the local community and care homes to watch. In her wonderful live performances, she sings musical theatre, war songs, and of course, songs by the national treasure that is Dame Vera Lynn; a woman who means so much to so many and whose passing last year was a poignant moment during the lockdown. She has received emails from many care homes, telling her how much the residents loved her concerts.
Nancy told CommunityAd, “I have built up some really special relationships with the elderly in Braintree and Essex and I have loved the experience.”
The performances gave Nancy the opportunity to dress up in beautiful, glamorous ball gowns, dance, have fun and enjoy her favourite thing: singing. Her most recent performance in May was her 22nd beautiful, uplifting online performance. Up to 50 care homes have watched her concerts at any one time, putting smiles on many residents’ faces as they sing along to Nancy’s stunning voice.
As restrictions start to ease, Nancy will eventually stop the online concerts, as she is soon to be releasing her debut album and be working on her career, however, her special relationship with the Braintree and wider Essex community will continue.