Venice Manley

Venice is a lyric soprano and singing teacher from London. She began her singing career in London, aged 11, when Benjamin Britten chose her as soloist for his "St Nicholas Cantata". She went on to study solfege and classical singing, and began a lifelong interest in folk music ("World Music") whilst working with gypsies in Ireland.

Venice has worked closely with Frankie Armstrong, Helen Chadwick, Isaye Barnwell of Sweet Honey in the Rock, the Giving Voice Project in Wales, The Natural Voice Association, The Roy Hart Theatre and Pantheatre. She teaches regularly at the Guildhall School of Music, the Philippe Gaulier School, The International Workshop Festival, and Coventry's Triangle Theatre, as well as in continental Europe, the USA and Canada.

Venice sings with the a cappella group Kite in the UK and Europe, and currently directs Maspindzeli, a choir of Georgian music. In 2001 Venice and her Georgian choir were invited to participate in Because I Sing, a unique festival of polyphonic music at the Roundhouse by the composers Orlando Gough and Richard Chew. In September 2002, Venice and Mazpindzeli toured Georgia. Venice led the Songs from the Woodlands workshops for Volcano in October 2002.