Abi Gilchrist is a UK vocalist, choir leader, and voice coach, best known as the founder/director of UK Soul Choirs. She launched the first Soul Choir in Greenwich in 2010 with four singers and grew it into a multi-branch organisation across London and Kent, now welcoming hundreds of adults each week. The choirs focus on soul, Motown, gospel-inspired pop and harmony-led arrangements, with an intentionally inclusive, no-audition ethos for people who may not read music or feel “good enough” to join a choir. Abi trained as a classical soprano at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and later studied at the London School of Musical Theatre. She also works as a session singer and voice-over artist. During COVID, she co-created “Home Sing” to keep singers connected and support charity fundraising.

Chris Maunu is a Portland, Oregon–based conductor, educator, and composer known for helping choirs build a clear, resonant sound through practical, repeatable rehearsal techniques. They are Artistic Director of Pacific Youth Choir, Affiliate Faculty at Portland State University’s School of Music, and Artistic Director of the professional ensemble Choro in Schola. Before moving to Oregon, Chris spent 17 years as Director of Choirs at Arvada West High School in Colorado, where the programme became recognised for strong vocal training and ambitious repertoire. Chris is also an in-demand clinician and guest conductor, and writes/publishes choral works for a range of ensembles and voicings.

James Manwaring MBE is a UK choral leader and music educator known for helping young singers build confident, stylish sound through clear, practical rehearsal craft. Associated with work at Windsor Boys School and across professional networks including the Music Teachers’ Association (MTA), he combines classroom teaching, ensemble direction, and advocacy for strong music education. James focuses on what works when time is tight: warm-ups that transfer directly to repertoire, rehearsal language singers can act on immediately, and a culture where musical detail is normal. He is particularly recognised for fundamentals that make rapid progress—unified vowels, clear diction, rhythmic accuracy, and treating text as the driver of sound. In this episode, we explore how he starts rehearsals, earns buy-in from teenage singers, and sets goals that keep improvement measurable while protecting joy.

Jen Bonnar is a Scotland-based vocal leader and arranger who runs multiple Rock Choir groups across the west of Scotland, including Greenock, Hamilton, Paisley, Houston, and Helensburgh. She started singing in childhood and was a member of the Scottish National Junior Choir from age 10, later building a varied performing career across classical and contemporary settings. Jen has sung in vocal groups supporting artists including Plácido Domingo, Kerry Ellis, and The Kooks, and performed at large-scale events such as the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Alongside performance, she developed a career in learning and development, bringing a strong focus on motivation, empowerment, and clear teaching into the rehearsal room. Part of Rock Choir since 2012, she’s known for upbeat, welcoming rehearsals that still aim for musical clarity, confident harmonies, and a strong sense of community.

Jonas Rasmussen is a Danish choral conductor, educator, composer and arranger known for practical, high-impact rehearsal craft and clear musical communication. He is conductor and artistic leader of Academic Choir Aarhus, Youth Choir Aarhus U, and Ensemble Novum, and teaches classical choral conducting at the Royal Academy of Music in Aarhus. Jonas shares warm-ups and rehearsal insights in accessible short-form content used widely by choir leaders and singers, and his workshop work links sound, gesture, language and group psychology to help ensembles make confident musical choices quickly. His ensembles have received international recognition, with successes at events including the World Choral Championships, Let the Peoples Sing, and the European Choir Games, and he won 1st prize at the 20th Gheorghe Dima International Music Competition for Conductors.

Keara has been directing choir for over 25 years. Her passion is Gospel music and creating events for Gospel choirs in Ireland. The IGNITE Gospel Choir has been singing together for 18 years. She has worked with some of the best Gospel music industry directors and producers and facilitates a group of over 120 Gospel choir directors from all over Europe and the US. She is passionate about director supports and cultivating a space for growth, challenge and encouragement.  She also directs 2 contemporary community choirs, encouraging social inclusion and getting people in the community to give singing a go.