All About -
​The Mighty VU

VU was formed in Sept 2008 and has gone from strength to strength in that time. We even survived lockdown stronger than ever before!

We sing at all kinds of events, from sold-out theatres and the main stage at Lakefest, to corporate and charity events across the West Midlands.

We can offer bespoke arrangements for your wedding or other event, and groups of different sizes to suit the occasion. But what we love is taking out the whole choir (anything from 60 to 100 people depending who's available) and rocking out the unmistakable "VU Wall of Sound".

We pride ourselves on not being part of a franchise. VU is a one-of-a-kind group with its very own identity. We also enjoy the privilege of having a professional M.D. who writes bespoke arrangements that you won't hear anywhere else.

VU is a "teaching choir", meaning that not only do we have the best fun singing specially-crafted arrangements, but we learn the art of singing as part and parcel of each weekly rehearsal, plus occasional workshops, both with Ria and with professional visiting practitioners.

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Musical Director -
​Ria Keen

Ria is a professional vocal coach and performer of international repute. As a lead singer, background singer, session vocalist, recording artist and arranger she has worked with household names in such venues as The London Palladium, Blenheim Palace, The London Hippodrome, Lincoln Castle and countless theatres throughout the UK.
Ria holds both a Master's degree and a PhD in contemporary vocals & education. She is Principal of The Voice College, a Fellow of The Royal Society of Arts, and a singing teacher with nearly 40 years of experience at the highest levels.

OBL (Our Beloved Leader, as we call her) is the driving force and the passion behind VU's incredible energy and is responsible, in a very literal way, for The VU Sound. She has, upon occasion, been described as 'lairy'. We couldn't possibly comment.

Ria is the Principal of The Voice College, and continues to teach in drama schools and deliver bespoke workshops across the UK. In her "spare" time she creates the arrangements for which VU is justifiably well-known!

Chief Administrator -
​Givvi Flynn

Givvi took over the role of Chief Administrator in October 2021 and is looking forward to ushering in an exciting new era for VU. She has been part of the wider team for many years, being its "Official photographer" and handling programmed social media posts.

Givvi is an accomplished musician, singer and singing teacher in her own right, with very successful album releases under her belt in recent years, and a recent history of working with some major rock and pop artists on tour. Her most recent album "Tomboy" was released to great acclaim. 

She is also a great "live action"  photographer specialising in gigs and events, as well as being a graphic designer.

Givvi has also worked at The Voice College since 2010, and is now Deputy Principal and one of the Senior Tutors. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Contemporary Voice, and an Advanced Professional Diploma in Teaching Contemporary Singing.

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Honorary Mentions

​From 2008 - 2021, Anne Bradshaw was the VU Administrator,  handling all admin and back-room communications. Very ably assisted by her husband Martin, she was responsible for the  huge amount of paperwork and organising that goes with running a group of over 100 people!

Anne and Martin stepped down from their duties on October 7th 2021, but remain members of the VU family. They are looking forward to enjoying "just the singing"!

Anne continues to focus on her other businesses, and VU wishes her well in this new chapter.