Jane Cartney - Biography Page

			A talented all-rounder, Jane Cartney has been employed in many different aspects of vocal music over the last fifteen years. After studying singing and music privately with a number of eminent teachers in London and Sussex, in 1991 Jane Cartney gave her first public solo recital in a performance of Schumann’s Frauenliebe und – Leben at Sussex University, and her professional debut as a contralto soloist in oratorio, in a performance of Mozart’s Requiem at Lewes Town Hall under the direction of Andrew Sherwood. In the intervening years she has been called on to perform in a number of public concerts with choral societies in the South East, as well as giving many solo recitals. “You sang like an angel”, Jonathan Cross, Director, Sussex Philharmonic Chorus and Orchestra “A magnificient instrument” Elizabeth Muir Lewis, Director, Eastbourne Choral Society In 2002, after intense training with Shakespearean actor Terry Mortimer in Brighton and Hove, and advanced vocal jazz with Lorraine Craig, Val Wiseman and BBC Big Band trainer Paul Eshelby at Benslow, Jane made her professional debut in Worthing fronting her own band. In 2003 she studied with Jacqui Dankworth and Sarah Coleman, and Laurie of course, at the Montgomery Holloway Music Trust. At the showcase with The Laurie Holloway Trio she performed a favourite number, 'When You're Alone'. It was here that Jane met Scottish musician singer songwriter Chris Clark and formed the Bryce Findlay/Chris Clark partnership. “… excellent!” David Jacobs, BBC Broadcaster
	She is also an experienced choral director. Whilst living in Brighton she trained and directed the Northbrook Singers, a medium sized choir of upper voices based in Worthing. In 2000 she established The Worthing Chamber Consort, a small group of very talented amateur singers, and conducted a number of ambitious and highly successful concerts with them. In addition to public performance, Jane Cartney is a professionally qualified music teacher, and has held a number of posts in mainstream and further education, when she taught young students at Boundstone College of Performing Arts in Lancing, and ran classes for adult solo singers at Northbrook College in Worthing, as well as running a private teaching practice with a speciality in language and performance. Since relocating to the West Country, Jane’s main focus has been in the jazz field, and her new band Cartney Jazz are popular entertainers at weddings and parties around the country.