Hi! I’m Angharad and this is my website giving you up to date information on my work as a teacher, musician and musical director.
I’ll try my best to keep it up to date, and maybe even put up a blog or two 😉
A little bit of background about me may be helpful, I guess 😀
These days I work as a freelance M.D., musician and singer. I love to laugh, love to bake, love to read, frequently have purple hair (which inspired the nickname from a nosey London neighbour, “The Purple Haired Lady”), oh, and I have a beautiful miniature schnauzer named for my favourite author. Meet Harper Lee Dog, a.k.a Scruff head.
She is often invited to come to rehearsals with me and has such a giant personality, not a single cast member gets away with avoiding her 😉
Visiting the pit for “The Dreaming”
Listening to director Tim Ford during “The Hired Man” rehearsals
I’ve been passionate about music and theatre all of my life, performing in local amateur dramatics and music ensembles from a very young age.
One of my first musicals 😀 Spot Angharad.
You may recognise another familiar face in the back row
Sneaking up behind the donkey in “Jesus Christ Superstar”
The comedy moment of catching my foot in the hem of the habit and nearly falling through the bars didn’t make it on film 😉
The Welshest of Good Witches
David Denzil Harris Thomas, or “Pops” to most
But my biggest musical influences are definitely my family and friends. My grandfather was a trumpeter, working with big bands throughout World War II and music played a huge part in my relationship with him; from watching us perform through to driving us to national and county music auditions and performances. But the thing that always sticks with me was listening to him hum a tune and drum his fingers, wherever we were. When I was a child I never really sang much, but my Gran always reminds me how he knew I would sing. She tells me of his belief in me and his conversations about me with our church organist. On my first big band gig as a guest vocalist, I had to learn “Georgia On My Mind” and I will never forget him telling me just how much this song meant to him and to this day I struggle to sing it without a tear in my eye. I hope I do him proud in some small way.
Nowadays, my friends inspire me to continue striving to be the best musician I can be. In fact, much of what I do today is inspired, and encouraged, by my friends and my students.
I hope you enjoy the photos and recordings I’ve put on here, please feel free to have a look around and contact me if you have any feedback or questions 😀
Angharad
xxx
Reviews and Testimonials
“Working with Angharad at the Lichfield Garrick Community Choir has been such a pleasure and privilege. Angharad is so immensely talented musically and obviously has a vast experience of being an MD for many shows both in the UK and overseas, as well as teaching which she is fantastic at. To have her teach us was just an amazing experience; I learnt so much. She is patient, funny, achieves miracles in a short timescale and has a brilliant way with both young and old alike, keeping everyone in line in a very natural way. The choir won’t be the same without her.” Rachel Donaldson-Leigh
“Your voice was very beautiful to listen to this morning ( a real treat)” – Maria O’Brien
“Fantastically talented band, a brilliant vocal performance, wonderful evening had by all, thoroughly enjoyed the style of music played!” – Rebecca Gent, Wedding client 2017.
“Awesome, awesome, awesome! […] Fulfilling two very important requirements of a cabaret, both a Ukulele AND a mash up! It was a win and I loved it and she’s Fantastic!” – Jamie Anderson, Cabaret Confidential Compere
Reviews of recent productions:
“Madagascar: The Musical”, U.K. Tour, Selladoor Family, directed by Kirk Jameson
“Once Upon a Mattress”, Lichfield Garrick Theatre, directed by Emily Summers
“the orchestra, with musical direction by Angharad Sanders, is first class.” CITY LIFE MAGAZINE
“I’m new to this musical theatre lark so my comparisons are nil, but I have enjoyed every moment of being led by Angharad. She has an unique ability to create the most amazing of melodies from (seemingly) nowhere! She puts it all together and makes the greatest of sounds. Patient, nurturing and exceedingly talented.” Cast member, Philippa Graty
“I was always happy to sing in a chorus (or the shower) where my voice couldn’t really be heard, but thanks to Angharad’s patience and natural ability to make people feel at ease she instilled the confidence in me to be able to take on a lead role in this years community musical “Once upon a Mattress” and sing a solo.
I’m not sure that she knew how much of a challenge that would be, but she never faltered and worked with me personally to ensure that I was comfortable with the song. Without her trust in me to deliver, her professionalism and her friendship I would never have been able to take on the role of a lifetime. For that I will always be truly grateful.” Cast member, Julie Roche
“The Dreaming”, Lichfield Garrick Theatre, directed by Tim Ford and Craig Sanders
“I had to let you all know what a fantastic production The Dreaming is. I went on opening night and was amazed at the quality of the show. There are definitely some stars in the making. Some of the singing sent shivers down my spine, and not just the solo performances, but the group singing too. One of my favourite moments was the scene with the lantern holders at the end of act one where the singing was positively uplifting.” – audience feedback
“”The Hired Man” last years community theatre production was excellent, setting standards at a very high bar for this year. However I was not disappointed, while a totally different show, the cast, music, lighting, stage and choreography all seamlessly blended together has produced one belter of a production, mystical, enchanting and at times so funny it brings tears to your eyes. Outstanding and fully deserving of the 4 and 5 star ratings it has been receiving from the entertainment press.” – audience feedback
“Went to see the dreaming last night! Was fully entertained! The singing and music was incredible, hats off to Angharad Sanders! The cast was incredible too! Funny and engaging! A must see!” – audience feedback
“Once On This Island”, Lichfield Garrick Studio, directed by Angharad Sanders
“The music was perfectly executed as it always is with Angharad Sanders. Such a tight, intimate band of just a piano, and a drummer with a mixture of drums such as bongo’s sounded fantastic. The harmonies throughout the show were spot on, so great musical directing from Angharad.” – remotegoat.com
“The Hired Man”, Lichfield Garrick Theatre, directed by Tim Ford
“The full cast choral numbers are quite superb, for which we can thank Musical Director Angharad Sanders who led an onstage eight-piece band” – behindthearras.com, 2nd August 2016
“Curtain Up”, Lichfield Garrick Studio, South Staffordshire College
“Angharad Sanders was Queen of the Keys” – Love Midlands Theatre, 26th April 2016
“Steel Pier”, European Premiere, Union Theatre, directed by Paul Taylor Mills
“The band led my [sic] musical director Angharad Sanders on piano and sax, sound magnificent throughout!” – Frontrowdress.com, Wednesday 7th November 2012
“There is a first rate band, the leading players are superb” – William Russel, Reviewsgate.com, Nov 06, 2012
“The band is on stage at the head of the room throughout creating a wonderful aural aesthetic to delight the listener. Kander and Ebb’s music is in good hands with Angharad Sanders at the helm.” – Mary Ann O’Neill, bargaintheatreland.com, Nov 06, 2012
“The musical numbers save the show though – very catchy, toe tapping and excellently played by a band of five, with multi- talented musical director Angharad Sanders at the helm.” – Joe Crystal, onestoparts.com, Nov 08, 2012.
Reviews from creative team members:
“Speaking as a director lucky enough to work with Angharad, and as a music director myself, she is everything you’d ever want in an MD. She blends a HUGE work ethic with amazing talent, dedication and affability. She is quintessentially what anyone working in musical theatre would want from a collaborator, creator and friend. I highly and enthusiastically recommend Angharad for any project.” – Tom Berger, Artistic Director, (re:)Directions Theatre Company, Director of the premiere production of “Band Geeks”
“Angharad understands the craft of singing and utilizes her knowledge to pull the best out of those under her direction. Anyone who is lucky enough to work with her will gain a better understanding of their voice and deliver a better performance.” – Daniel Bonnett, Director, “Children Of Eden”, Stagedoor Manor, New York.
Poopbags and Gladrags! Blogs from a creative brain ;)
Earlier this year, I was lucky enough to return to the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, to work with their incredibly talented M.A. in Musical Theatre group. I do adore returning to this amazing place, being submerged back into a college of music, constantly alive and buzzing with sound or practice, performance and …
So over a year ago now I had my website changed to a WordPress host, with the intention of keeping it regularly updated and starting a blog. My fabulous cousin sorted all of this for me and is an unending support for my ridiculous lack of tech knowledge. Clearly this well intentioned plan is going …
Hi! I’m Angharad and this is my website giving you up to date information on my work as a teacher, musician and musical director.
