meet the team
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Stef
Having worked in the music and theatre industry for over 20 years and leading community and workplace choirs for 10 of those, I am super passionate about the power of singing, and doing it with others is a great way to support your wellbeing….. whilst having a fabulous time!
In 2016 I was a mum of 2 under 2, on maternity leave, and really struggling with post-natal anxiety, which I’d never before. I’d lost a sense of who I was and was really missing singing, which was a huge part of my job role. Attending baby groups was a great way to meet other parents, however I missed the joy of belting out some great pop tunes in the company of others and I realised it had a huge impact on my mental health! Whilst crying over a bottle of wine with Kate one evening I mentioned the idea of setting up a parent and baby singing group with the focus being on the parent… and so the Shiny Happy People journey began!
Bringing people together in song is one of my biggest passions whilst being partial to throwing in a few dance moves!
As well as running our gorgeous little business, I also work for Superchoir, leading my own community choir in Aberdare and helping lead teambuilds and workplace singing sessions. I feel very lucky to do the job I do… and with my best mates!
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Kate
I’ve had a varied career in Theatre and Television from my first professional job as a dresser on “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” to Art Director on “Rosie and Jim” with many other roles in between. In 2000 I had my 1st son Joe and (much to my sadness and surprise) became a single parent. From full time working woman I became sole carer for my beautiful boy. I won't say it was always easy: tiring, lonely, challenging, frustrating but also hands down the most rewarding and fun times I have ever had. In 2003 I moved to the fabulous city of Cardiff to do a degree in Film Journalism and Broadcasting - yes, I managed to do a degree with a 3 year old!!! After a couple of years I married my then boyfriend, the gorgeous Geoff (who, incidentally named us Shiny Happy People) and had my second son Jamie in 2007. Second time round with someone to share the experience was a joy. Although 7 years apart my boys have a brilliant relationship - what more could I wish for.
I got into singing when I joined Superchoir, having always been a backstage lass I surprised myself by how much I loved not only the group singing but the performance side of things. I think I’d always been a bit of a show off and secretly loved the limelight! Singing with the choir led to me working for Goldies Cymru - a charity who aim to combat loneliness and isolation in the elderly through getting together to sing hits of their youth. Then in 2017 we launched Shiny Happy People - Boom! I would say …and the rest is history but SHP is continually evolving and keeping us challenged and, most importantly, happy.