Angela started playing piano in her reception year, adding violin to her repertoire at the age of six; instruments which she enjoyed playing in orchestras throughout school. At home, thanks to her strong Irish roots, family sing-songs went hand in hand with any celebration, so Angela’s childhood had a wonderfully upbeat soundtrack. Fast forward a few years, and such was her determination to pursue musical aspirations, Angela completed not one, not two, but three degrees! First up, a Degree in Music at the University of Nottingham, then a stint in her spiritual home of Dublin (her grandad’s birthplace) for a Masters in Music, finishing with a PhD in Music at Cambridge University, exploring music and migration. As a graduate, back in the Midlands, Angela became a choir leader, performing live at the NEC, BBC Proms in the Park and the 02 and recording at Abbey Road. This is also where her path first crossed with TCC’s mighty founder Carrie! At the same time, Angela was also inspiring the next generation of musicians, teaching piano in primary schools and running summer schools in Germany. In 2019, she recorded a programme for the BBC’s A Very British History series entitled Birmingham Irish I Am, in which she played the fiddle and explored her Irish music heritage. Latterly, she spent two years in Geneva as a director of music for a performing arts school. Currently Angela is an associate lecturer at leading Birmingham musical college, BIMM, she plays the fiddle with up-tempo Irish band, The Father Teds, and spends an inordinate amount of time singing in the terraces, supporting her favourite football team Aston Villa! Angela joined The Collaboration Choir in April 2025, keen to work alongside Carrie and embark on an exciting new journey with her two choirs. “I have always really enjoyed choirs and this felt new and fresh,” she explains. “I loved the message of collaboration and supporting the community too.” Choir rehearsals with Angela always have good energy, with members feeling at ease and able to express themselves freely. “Many members have so much fun that they leave feeling better than they did when they turned up. You can see it in their faces as they skip out of the door,” enthuses Angela. And the greatest reward, as a teacher, is to see the incredible confidence boost that singing with The Collaboration Choir brings, as Angela explains: “When people say they’ve never sung before then you see them absolutely owning the harmony; that is just amazing!”