Brenda Rattray

Brenda Rattray is an Associate Lecturer in the Department of Music at Goldsmiths, University of London, with over 30 years of international experience as an educator, composer, performer, and community artist. Her work centers on the expressive potential of the human voice across diverse populations and institutional settings.

Her research focuses on Music Education and Vocal Performance through community-engaged practice, developing methodologies for using voice as a tool for creativity, expression, and healing. This spans psychiatric prisons (Maze and Broadmoor), special needs schools, hospices, orchestras, and trauma recovery programs. Her approach emphasizes safety, radical acceptance, and building intercommunity bridges through skills-based vocal training.

Her scientific recognition includes:

• Excellence in Education award (2014) from Women's Aid for the Keys to Freedom domestic violence recovery program

As founder of Voice Expressions, she leads a specialized team creating transformative workshops for high-impact clients including:

• English National Opera
• Royal National Institute for the Blind
• London Philharmonic Orchestra
• BBC Concert and Symphony Orchestras
• Grand Union Orchestra (lead vocalist for 10+ years)

Her advisory work extends to training orchestral musicians in community communication and developing programs for ex sex-workers and addiction-affected families.