We are in the midst of a series introducing you to some of our amazing team. These are the wonderful people who make Pro Corda the magical institution that it is.
Below you can read their mini-interviews, ask them a question, or tell them how they made your experience of Pro Corda such a special one!
Next up, it’s one of the most well-known members of our team. Our very own SEND music specialist and singing & signing legend!
Meet Laura
Who are you?
“I’m Laura Feeney, viola player, SEND music specialist and a singing & signing legend! I’m also Mummy to Pro Corda’s very own Head of Cuteness, Canela.”
What do you do?
“I’m Creative Director of Outreach and the Pro Corda Academy. In a nutshell, I create & direct programmes that utilise the incredible transformative power of chamber music to benefit the wider community. Cool, right?!”
How long have you been involved with Pro Corda?
“This is a great question! You might say that I am a Pro Corda protégé! I still clearly remember the first time Leiston Abbey took my breath away in 2012, as an undergraduate coming along for an intensive (and very cold!) February viola bootcamp. I then became part of the pastoral team for core courses and was lucky enough to be selected as a Leverhulme Fellow later that year. The rest is history!”
Tell us one thing you love about Pro Corda?
“Oh gosh, there are so many things I love about Pro Corda. It has been the most supportive and inspiring environment for me to develop my career. I adore Pro Corda’s core ethos. All programmes have wellbeing and self-worth at the heart, with the wider benefits of communication and teamwork. It’s amazing to be able to be a key part of the artistic team, creating and developing programmes that have such worthy educational and social outcomes.
Also (fun fact) I did apply to read History at University alongside auditioning for Music colleges. I’m delighted that my office is built into the fabric of such an amazing historical site!”
What’s your favourite memory about your time with Pro Corda?
“There are so many! I am so lucky to have the best seat in the house for all the outreach performances. Directing the performances, I get to experience, up close the magical moments when the students embrace the spotlight and light up the room. No matter how many times you experience it, those moments never lose their sparkle or shine. I’m so lucky to experience this with so many young people each year, ranging from a little moment of eye contact to taking total ownership of the stage. It also gives me goosebumps when our students are given opportunities to show the wider world their talents. I love being able to collaborate with partners such as BBC Children in Need to champion how fabulous our superstars are!”
What’s the best concert you have ever been to?
“I believe that the best concerts are the ones that provide you with a full holistic experience, and make you think! In 2011 I went to a concert that made me re-evaluate the function of music. Two blind Malian musicians, Amadou and Mariam performed “In the dark” as part of Manchester International Festival. The room was pitch black so that the audience could experience music in the same way as the performers. It was such a joyous celebration and gave me a new perspective on the transformative power of music. I guess you could say that it had a big impact on me!”
We hope you have enjoyed learning something about our incredible team.
If you would like to ask them a question, or tell them how they made your experience of Pro Corda such a special one then please leave your comment below. We will try and get back to you as soon as we can.
