Laura Bennett-Gornall
Director & Choir Leader
Founder of Local Vocals, Laura’s whole life has centred around music, completing Grade 8 piano & voice as a teenager, before moving on to study music at degree level at the prestigious Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts & receiving the Beatles Story Prize from Sir Paul McCartney.
Over the past twelve years, Laura has worked with various choirs & singing ensembles and in 2021, she decided to create her own, truly authentic local singing community, with a real emphasis on supporting local charities in need across Lancashire & the surrounding areas and now leads three thriving community choirs in Preston, Chorley & Wigan, as well as supporting the rest of the Local Vocals’ team and choirs around the North West.
So far, Local Vocals has grown into a wonderful community of hundreds of local people, raising tens of thousands of pounds for local causes in need.
Mike Holcroft
Producer
Mike is a multi-instrumentalist, music producer and Laura's right hand man for all things Local Vocals. He produces & performs on the Local Vocals' backing tracks in collaboration with Laura’s vocal arrangements, creating bespoke pieces unique to our choir. He can also be seen on various instruments at many of our live performances (often hiding behind an array of cymbals!) and leads our care home singalong sessions; offering local care homes the opportunity to sing together as a community.
Mike has been obsessed with music for his entire life and has played everything from Rock, Jazz-Fusion, Folk, Big Band and everything in between. He currently works as a producer from his own studio, Upholland Recording Studio, and performs in Liverpool cult favourites Professor Yaffle.
John Wright
Choir Leader
John is a composer, performer and music educator based in Blackpool. Originally from the Midlands he moved to Dorset where he studied music. After this, he became a professional singer and musician performing solo and as part of a function band.
13 years ago John relocated with his wife Lisa and children Joel and Ace to the northwest where they established their music business, teaching privately and across primary schools as well as running community choirs and vocal workshops. John also composes soundtracks for computer game projects and continues to perform live for weddings and events, both as a solo artist and as a duo with his son Joel.
Now John is so excited to be leading Local Vocals' choirs in Morecambe, Lancaster, St. Annes, Poulton and Fleetwood. He is passionate about family, community, and providing opportunities for people to come together to experience the joy of singing as a community.
Jonny Rees
Choir Leader
Jonny is a choir leader and music educator based in South Manchester. Originally from the North East, he studied music in York and, after graduating in 2011, has worked as a performer, singing teacher, and conductor, leading choirs and ensembles of all ages.
In 2019, Jonny relocated to Manchester, where he has focused on working as a music specialist in primary schools. Along the way, he's had the privilege of training alongside some of the region’s top professionals, completing courses with Hale and Sing For Pleasure to deepen his expertise.
Now, Jonny is excited to expand the Local Vocals community into Greater Manchester. He is deeply passionate about inspiring and empowering individuals to sing and create music together in a fun, accessible, and inclusive environment.
Beyond the music, Jonny loves using singing to bring joy to the local community, raising funds for important causes and charities.
Marie Bennett
Office Manager
After 31 years of teaching, Marie has retired this year from her role as Assistant Headteacher & is now in charge of all things ‘admin’ at Local Vocals; managing the workload involved in the growing company.
Apart from being Laura’s mother(!), Marie is the perfect person for the role and is on hand to help choir leaders & choir members via office@localvocalschoir.com, as well as heading up some of the day-to-day admin involved, liaising with our support team and being an integral part of our event planning and community outreach.