Singer Vera studied performing arts at Brooklands college, Weybridge gaining two diplomas in Performing Arts (Acting). At the end of her first year she gained a BTEC First Diploma achieving grade Merit and two years later she gained a BTEC National Diploma achieving the triple grade Distinction, Distinction, Merit. She was particularly thrilled to see her group and solo singing marks improving each year, achieving passes in her first year, merits in her second year and then followed by distinctions in her third and final year. Vera's vocals vary in range easily singing as a top soprano.
Vera has previously been part of amateur dramatics societies performing in comedies, plays and her absolute favourites; musicals! She has also had various backstage roles, from stage managing (twice winning 'best stage manager' at local festivals), directing, lighting & sound and front of house. She has enjoyed playing a drunk in the musical 'Little Shop of Horrors', playing Mary Bennett in Jane Austen's 'Pride & Prejudice' and a real favourite was playing the role of Sue in 1960's musical comedy 'A Slice of Saturday Night'. Vera has thoroughly enjoyed developing the song 'Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again' from 'The Phantom of The Opera', which she regularly uses at auditions.
Vera enjoys singing vintage songs from the past covering songs from the 1940's up to the 1960's. Favourites are Vera Lynn classics such as 'The White Cliffs of Dover, 'Be Like The Kettle and Sing' and 'We'll Meet Again', various wartime medleys, popular wartime hits, as well as Andrews Sisters songs such as 'Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy', 'Bei Mir Bist Du Schon' and 'Don't Sit Under The Apple Tree'. Later favourites include 'Lipstick On Your Collar', 'Stupid Cupid', 'Lay Down Your Arms' and 'Da Doo Ron Ron', etc.
Older musical influences have always been Vera Lynn, The Andrews Sisters, Doris Day, Ella Fitzgerald, Margaret Whiting and Anne Shelton. Vera has also been influenced by modern artists such as The Three Belles, The D-Day Darlings, Bette Midler, Caro Emerald and Kelly Clarkson. Vera enjoys listening and singing along to many artists including Glenn Miller, George Formby, various swing music of the 1930's - 1940's as well as a lot of modern music. In fact, Vera has over 30 genres of music in her collection!
Vera has also been very highly influenced by musical theatre and shows such as 'The Phantom of The Opera', 'Hairspray', 'Les Miserables' and 'Little Shop of Horrors' to name but a few! Musical theatre influences are Michael Ball, Sierra Boggess, Ramin Karimloo, Idina Menzel, Ruthie Henshall, Lea Salonga and Bernadette Peters.