About

VocAstrale are a vocal ensemble dedicated to performing a wide range of repertoire, from unaccompanied madrigals, French and German Romantic quartets through to light comic operetta and song. Performances include a wide variety of venues and festivals such as Tunbridge Wells International Music Festival, Rye Arts Festival, Lamberhurst Festival, Brandenburg Choral Festival, Hinckley Music Club, Derby Cathedral, Queens Tennis Club, the National Portrait Gallery, Ripley Arts Centre, Draper's Hall London, Leaveland Church Concert Series and Hinton Ampner National Trust.

VocAstrale have also provided musical entertainment for private events such as cocktail parties, garden parties, celebratory dinners, fundraising events and wine and cheese tasting evenings.

As individual artists, VocAstrale are outstanding singers and musicians, working regularly for companies such as the Royal Opera House, English Touring Opera, Glyndebourne, and the OAE and performing at venues including the Rachmaninoff Hall in Moscow, the Wigmore Hall, and Royal Festival Hall.  

VocAstrale are also keen educators with experience as singing teachers, music lecturers, workshop leaders and choral directors. Their current teaching schedules include the University of Cambridge, the Royal College of Music, Leeds Conservatoire and numerous other academic institutions.

Sarah Dacey - Soprano

‘vivid expression’ - Guardian ‘magnificent’ - Arts Desk

'a strong, perky soprano...colourful, challenging and witty' - Classical Source

Ciara Hendrick - Mezzo

'Mezzo-soprano Ciara Hendrick's grave, guileless face, clear tones and firm coloratura convey Susanna's vulnerability and strength movingly' - The Independent

'gracefully expressive and technically fluent' - The Daily Telegraph

Greg Tassell - Tenor

'Greg Tassell...sang with a dash and a sweetness straight out of Puccini' - The Arts Desk

James Oldfield - Bass

'warm, dark yet agile' - Opera Today

'James Oldfield is a tall and overbearing personality but with the cheeky sparkle in his eye - wonderful stuff' - Classical Source

Belinda Jones - Pianist

'outstanding and versatile with significant artistic personality' - The Times