‘A Fine Voice from a Fine City!’ Interview/Feature in January Issue of Norfolk Suffolk Life Magazine

Happy New Year! Wishing you all a very happy, healthy and productive 2024.

“A fine voice from a fine city!” Such an exciting start to the year – I have a lovely in-depth interview/feature in the new January issue of Suffolk Norfolk Life magazine. Available in WH Smith, local shops, from their website or call 01728 622030 to buy a copy for £3.50 (plus postage).

It was really nice to speak to John Kerrison about my music career, songwriting, private teaching, music courses & well-being sessions for Adult Learning, as well as my work as a supporting artist in some Norfolk and Suffolk films and TV shows.

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Do you know anyone who would like to learn to play guitar or ukulele in 2024? Or have you always wanted to learn how to sing? I am running one-to-one and small group lessons in Norwich NR2 at the beautiful Christ Church. Fun sessions tailored just for you with flexible times. A safe and welcoming space, no previous experience needed! Please contact me at parrotrecords@gmail.com

Singing for Wellbeing, Ukulele and Guitar Courses

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Lisa Redford running a Saturday Singing for Wellbeing session at Wensum Lodge Norwich
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Lisa Redford at a Ukulele course session
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Lisa Redford outside Wensum Lodge Norwich
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Lisa Redford running a Guitar for Beginners course at Wensum Lodge Norwich
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Lisa Redford running a Tuesday Singing for Wellbeing session

Such a joyful final week teaching my music courses at Wensum Lodge, Norwich for Adult Learning Will miss all the lovely learners who have progressed so well in beginners guitar, ukulele and singing for well-being. Rewarding to receive such positive feedback too. Very bittersweet, being the last sessions I’ll teach at Wensum Lodge – the Music House is also one of the first places where I performed – huge thanks to all the staff there for their kind assistance. Watch this space and my social media for more music courses in 2024!

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Lisa Redford running a Saturday Singing for Wellbeing session
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Lisa Redford during a Saturday Singing for Wellbeing session
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Do you know anyone who would like to learn to play guitar or ukulele in 2024? Or have you always wanted to learn how to sing? I am running one-to-one and small group lessons in Norwich NR2 at the beautiful Christ Church. Fun sessions tailored just for you with flexible times. A safe and welcoming space, no previous experience needed! Please contact me: parrotrecords@gmail.com

Summer of Events, FutureFest, More Music Courses and TV Shows

It’s been a fun summer attending a few wonderful cultural events and festivals including Wimbledon and a 1940s weekend for the Seagull Theatre in Lowestoft where I got to dress up in vintage attire. I had a fab (see what I did there!) time seeing the new Paul McCartney exhibition “Eyes of the Storm” at the National Portrait Gallery. It was so cool viewing his intimate, never-before-seen images which offer a personal perspective on what it was like to be a Beatle at the start of ‘Beatlemania. More recently, it was great to be back at Latitude Festival after a few years – so many music highlights: Impressive new talent at the Inbetweeners Stage from Access Creative and amazing sets by Metronomy and Pulp. Last weekend I went to Primadonna Festival for the first time in the beautiful surroundings of the Food Museum, Stowmarket. So much creativity there with fascinating workshops, panels and talks on writing and music. It was lovely to meet JB Gill from JLS, now a children’s author and farmer, after a talk and signing of his children’s book and a real highlight was meeting the brilliant Miki Berenyi from Lush who was there to discuss her highly acclaimed memoir ‘Fingers Crossed’

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Lisa Redford at First Light Festival

In June I had a busy “two gigs in one day tour.” It was lovely to perform at First Light Festival in Lowestoft for the first time – such a warm welcome and great atmosphere. It was also wonderful to share the night again with the fantastic The Weeping Willows as part of their UK tour. Thanks to Grapevine for Music for hosting such a special night, Jason French for joining me on sublime banjo and fiddle, Chad Mason for gorgeous sound, and Katie Harris for this live photograph below.

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Lisa Redford and Jason French live at Grapevine for Music, Norwich with The Weeping Willows. Picture by Katie Harris.
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Lisa Redford at FutureFest 1.30pm

For my next gig I will be supporting my friends at Future Radio, performing at the inaugural FutureFest – a vibrant celebration of community, music and fun – to raise money for local charity Future Projects. Future Radio will be taking over The Brickmakers Pub on Sunday 6th August, featuring live bands on three stages, food trucks, kids activities, and DJs from midday until 11pm. Full-access tickets are just £10 (plus booking fee) and under 13s go free! Get your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/…/futurefest-tickets…
For more information, visit futureradio.co.uk/fest/ I will be playing a solo set at 1.30 as part of this amazing and eclectic lineup. All funds raised at FutureFest will go toward local charity, Future Projects.

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Ukulele Taster Session with Lisa Redford at Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library for Creativity and Wellbeing Week

I May I ran a lovely ukulele taster session for #CreativityAndWellbeingWeekAdult Learning. It was so great to see some new and also familiar faces joining me for a fun strum downstairs at Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library. Thanks to Norfolk Library and Information Service for having me.

Join me in September for some more fun group music courses. I will be teaching ukulele for beginners and improvers again as well as guitar for beginners and there will also be more singing for well-being sessions. For further information and to enrol, please visit the Adult Learning website: https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/education-and-learning/adult-learning

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Ukulele courses for Adult Learning, Wensum Lodge, Norwich
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Guitar for Beginners Course with Lisa Redford at Wensum Lodge, Norwich
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Ukulele Taster Session with Lisa Redford

Always exciting seeing filming projects I’ve worked on finally make it to the TV. Back on Netflix recently was Catching Killers – try and spot me playing a TV reporter in season 3. All episodes of brand new series Mother Undercover are now available on HULU in the US, and on Disney+ in the UK. In this inspiring series I was excited to play a photographer.

Creativity & Wellbeing Week – Ukulele Taster Session, Gig with The Weeping Willows

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The Weeping Willows UK/Switzerland Summer Tour

After a lovely gig together last year, I’m so looking forward to playing another show with these incredible friends – award-winning Americana/bluegrass duo The Weeping Willows next month for Steve Howlett, Grapevine For Music, Norwich on Sunday June 18th – the same day that I’ll be playing First Light Festival. This will be a very special intimate show. Don’t miss these super talented Australian friends on their UK/Switzerland summer tour! For tickets, please DM: www.facebook.com/GrapevineForMusic

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Norfolk Creativity and Wellbeing Week – Ukulele Taster Session with Lisa Redford

I love teaching my ukulele courses for Adult Learning, and if you’d like to learn more about playing this joyful instrument, I’m running a ukulele taster session at Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library on Tuesday 16th May for #creativityandwellbeingweek – come and have a strum and also find out about all the music courses I run for Adult Learning. More details here

First Light Festival, Showreel Video Ukulele Courses

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Lisa Redford, First Light Festival

Excited to share that I will be performing at the excellent First Light Lowestoft in sunny Suffolk on Sunday 18th June. Among its amazing and eclectic line-up is Eliza Carthy and Tom McRae – two incredible artists that I have had the honour of opening for. Full line up at https://firstlightlowestoft.com

It’s been really fun putting together this little video of images and clips from various TV shows and film projects I have worked on. I have really enjoyed the process of filming and exploring another creative outlet, as well as getting to wear fabulous costumes!

Lisa Redford Showreel Video
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Ukulele Courses, Adult Learning

After a really fun Ukulele for Improvers course, I’m running two ukulele courses for Adult Learning next term: Ukulele for Beginners and Ukulele for Improvers. Find out about these courses and many more #creative workshops and courses for spring here

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Ukulele courses with Lisa Redford for Adult Learning

Joyful last session for the final week of my Singing for Wellbeing course at Wensum Lodge for Adult Learning. Thanks to my lovely learners for all their kind words and feedback. During the course we’ve had fun exploring popular music genres and songs. Videos are on my Facebook and Instagram as well as details of any further singing sessions.

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Singing for Wellbeing course with Lisa Redford at Wensum Lodge, Norwich for Adult Learning, Norfolk County Council

More Singing for Wellbeing Courses, Music and Drama Education Expo

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Singing for Wellbeing Course at Earlham Library, Norwich

It’s lovely to be running more Singing for Wellbeing courses. To see learners returning from last year’s courses and feel their enjoyment of singing together is truly rewarding. My course at Wensum Lodge is fully booked but there are still a few spaces left for sessions at Earlham Library which started last Wednesday. For further details and to book take a look at the Adult Learning website I’ve also had a great term teaching Ukulele for Improvers and it’s been so exciting seeing learners progress after attending the Ukulele for Beginners course last year.

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Singing for Wellbeing session
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Singing for Wellbeing
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Singing session at Earlham Library
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Ukulele class for Adult Learning

I recently had a very inspiring and fun day at the Music & Drama Education Expo It was great to connect with others in #music #teaching play guitar and ukulele with Rockschool and lovely to stop by to see friends at The Musicians’​ Union

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Newspaper Cover Star, New Courses for 2023, Online Singing Group, History Channel

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Lisa Redford EDP Newspaper – The Big Interview. Photo: Denise Bradley

Abbie and I are cover stars! Huge thanks to Mark Nicholls and the EDP for featuring me in this weekend’s EDP newspaper. It was lovely to sit down with Mark and talk about my music career, support from Whispering Bob Harris, songwriting, teaching music courses at Adult Learning , as well as my recent ventures into acting and filming .

The feature also mentions Future Radio, Access Creative and performing at this year’s Brisley Live at The Brisley Bell and Deepdale Festival.

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Lisa Redford. Photograph by Denise Bradley, Archant
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Lisa Redford and Bob Harris
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New Music Courses

“I think you’re a very engaging teacher, knowledgeable and personable. I would highly recommend.”

I have just finished teaching my beginner ukulele and guitar courses in Norwich this term and it was really rewarding to teach such enthusiastic learners who progressed so well.

I’m very excited to be running the fun and friendly 10 week sessions again at Wensum Lodge, Norwich for Adult Learning, Norfolk County Council from January 9th 2023. As well as beginner courses, for the first time I’m also teaching a Ukulele for Improvers course.

I’d really love to see some new students – more information on Guitar for Beginners here

Further details on Ukulele for Beginners here

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Ukulele for Beginners Course
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Ukulele and Guitar for Beginners Course

Online Community Singing Group

It has been so rewarding and fun leading Singing for Wellbeing courses in Norwich for Adult Learning. Join me in a new wellbeing-focused online group for mental health service user charity Viewpoint, where we’ll be singing a selection of classic, well-known songs to uplift, connect, make you smile and improve your overall wellbeing. The first free session kicks off on Monday 5th December at 7pm!

Book your place here

As before, there’s no previous experience required. Just bring along an open mind and a joy for music! All are welcome – book your place now!

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Viewpoint Community Singing Group

Toys that Built America – Season Two

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Lisa Redford in The Toys that Built America on the History Channel

Now showing on the HISTORY channel in the US, the second series of #ToysThatBuiltAmerica
The stories behind the innovations, inventions, and revolutions of some of history’s greatest toys. I appear in two episodes – the first, “Masters of the Universe” about the beginnings of iconic action figures, notably #StarWars, and as a stylish #Edwardian lady.

To see my appearance – and 70s hair! – in the first episode playing Ray Wagner’s PA, got to my Facebook page

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Toys that Built America

Singing for Wellbeing Course, Acting on Sky Atlantic

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Lisa Redford running a Songs from the Shows community singing session at The Forum, Norwich

Ran a lovely community singing session last week at The Forum, Norwich
Thanks so much to everyone who came along to sing some classic musicals with me.
The event was in support of Norfolk County Music Library Sets Norfolk Library and Information Service Norwich Millennium Library – bringing the joy of music to libraries and the community.

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Singing for Wellbeing Course at Wensum Lodge, Norwich run by Lisa Redford

I am really enjoying teaching my current ukulele and guitar for beginners courses and am very excited to now be launching my first Singing for Wellbeing course later this month for Adult Learning at Wensum Lodge, Norwich. Discover the joy of singing together. Further details of how to enrol on this free 8 week course here I am also running Saturday classes including ukulele strumming sessions, more community singing and songwriting – please take a look at the Adult Learning website for updates. It was also nice to chat to Stephen Bumfrey about my community singing activities on BBC Radio Norfolk. The interview is available to listen to via BBC Sounds here – from 1:50.

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Playing a journalist in This England on Sky Atlantic
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This England on Sky Atlantic

Currently on Sky Atlantic is “This England” – Kenneth Branagh as Boris Johnson in an unsettling account of the government handling of the pandemic. It was thrilling to play a journalist and film on a set of Downing Street at West Raynham and Wolterton Hall, Norfolk. I even got to say a couple of lines – look out for me near the end of episode 6!

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Lisa Redford and Jason French at Deepdale Festival
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Lisa Redford and Jason French at Deepdale Festival 2022. Photo by Jon Clifton

Had a great time playing this year’s Deepdale Festival. Lovely to be part of an amazing line-up and there’s always a warm welcome in beautiful North Norfolk – thanks to the hard working, passionate team there. Thanks to Jon Clifton for some great photos from the performance.

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Lisa Redford and Jason French at Deepdale Festival 2022

New Teaching Location, Beginner Guitar and Ukulele Courses for Autumn

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Lisa Redford performing at Whitwell Station, Reepham Festival
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Lisa Redford and Jason French performing at Reepham Festival 2022

Photos from a lovely time playing Reepham Festival at Whitwell And Reepham Station ~ sunshine, live music, great atmosphere, nice audience – so cool to be performing at festivals again. Thanks to the fantastic team at Reepham for having me and Jason French for joining me on banjo and fiddle. Next show is Brisley Live on September 10th, further details on their website

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Lisa Redford, Whitwell Station
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Lisa Redford music lessons at Christ Church, Norwich

New Teaching Space – Christ Church, Norwich

I am now offering singing, guitar and beginner ukulele lessons at a room in the stunning Christ Church, just off the Mile End Road in Norwich, NR2 2AQ. Please get in touch by contacting parrotrecords@gmail.com if you are interested in booking a session in this wonderful space.

Beginner Guitar and Ukulele Courses at Wensum Lodge, Norwich   

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Guitar for Beginners with Lisa Redford

“Really enjoyed the course..got a lot further than any previous attempt” “thank you so much for your encouragement and spirit!” I received such lovely feedback for my first beginner ukulele and guitar courses in the summer. I’m very excited to be running the fun and friendly 10 week sessions again at Wensum Lodge, Norwich from September 12th.

I would really love to see some new students – further details here on the Adult learning website, search for arts and crafts

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Ukulele for Beginners with Lisa Redford

Summer Festivals and Events

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Lisa Redford, Jason French and The Weeping Willows

I recently played a lovely gig at The Reindeer Norwich. Thanks so much to everyone who came along and made it such a lovely night. It was so nice to finally share the stage with the sublime The Weeping Willows on the first night of their UK tour which included sets at Maverick Festival. Thanks to the brilliant Jason French for joining me on banjo and fiddle – live video clips at Instagram @lisaredfordmusic

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I also have some lovely festivals and events coming up including Reepham Festival on Sunday August 7th. It will be great to be back at this wonderful festival and I’m performing at the historic Whitwell Station from 2pm. More details and ticket info here

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Lisa Redford at Reepham Festival 2022

Looking ahead to September and I’m excited to be performing at the award-winning Brisley Pub for Brisley Live – a weekend of live music, comedy and theatre. I will be playing on Saturday September 10th. Further details and tickets here

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Brisley Live – A weekend of comedy, theatre and music at The Brisley Bell

Another favourite festival is Deepdale Festival on the beautiful North Norfolk coast and I’m looking forward to returning this year amongst a wonderful line up. I will be performing on the Saturday afternoon. To book tickets and for further details, check out the website

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It was so rewarding to teach my first beginner guitar and ukulele courses at Wensum Lodge for Adult learning this summer term and to receive wonderful feedback from learners who had enjoyed the courses. I will be teaching beginner courses again this September so any budding guitarists and ukulele players please check out the dates and details on the Norfolk County Council website