About us:

Jude Brereton

Jude Brereton (BA (Hons), MPhil) has worked as a Research Associate in the Audio Lab, Department of Electronics, University of York since 2003.  She gained a BA(Hons) in German and Linguistic Science at York before completing an MPhil in Speech and Language Processing at Trinity College, Dublin. In February 2008 she won the British Voice Assocation prestigious Van Lawrence Prize for research into voice. She has varied experience in teaching languages and music to all ages, both in schools and in private practice as well as leading school, student and adult choirs.  More recently she was voice coach for young theatre students in Bradford and has trained graduate staff and students in presentation skills at the University of York.  Her current research interests are in voice, acoustics and technology.

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Helena Daffern

Helena Daffern (BA (Hons), MA, PhD) completed her PhD in Music Technology in the Dept of Music and Dept of Electronics at the University of York in 2008. Her thesis examined the acoustic differences between operatic and early music singing. She obtained a Masters degree in performance from the University of York and trained as a postgraduate at Trinity College of Music. She now sings professionally as a soloist and with various ensembles and opera companies including Yorkshire Baroque Soloists, Hull Bach Choir, Northern Sinfonia and has undertaken recordings with Oxford University Press, Clare College Cambridge under Sir David Willcocks. She has recently performed in operas with Trinity College of Music Opera Company,  Hampstead Garden Opera and Holland Park Opera.Helena also teaches music as part of the Wider Opportunities scheme for Bexley Music Service and teaches singing in the Music Department at the University of York and in her private practice.

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