Sally Davies
Founder
Sally Davies, founder of the group, is a classically trained singer who studied at The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. She went on to teach Music and singing at comprehensive schools throughout the UK firmly believing in and promoting to all, the numerous benefits of a really good sing!
She says "Singing is my joy and whether that is in the classroom, at a rehearsal or at a concert, I love seeing the smiles on peoples faces when they fully immerse themselves in song! Since founding Sally's Angels, it has become my passion and weekly rehearsals are my happy place."
Sally now works as a full time music teacher in a busy comprehensive school in Newport as well as being the musical director of Simply Singers, Sally's Angels Pontyclun, Sally's Angels Bassaleg and co-musical director of Hospice Harmony.
Laura Davidson
Musical Director
Laura is a secondary school music teacher by day and the conductor of Sally’s Angels Radyr by (Thursday) night!
She has been singing and performing with Sally since Simply Singers was formed in 2018, and leading Sally’s Angel’s Radyr since October 2023.
She studied Music at Cardiff University, specialising in Voice as her first study instrument. She has been fortunate to gain a wealth of experience singing in different choirs both as a chorister and soloist singing in venues such as St Davids Hall, the Wales Millennium Centre and even the Principality Stadium before the rugby.
She is really passionate about singing- and she is really passionate about spreading the joy of singing to others
Laura is the leader of Sally's Angels Radyr.
Jen Ord
Musical Director
Jen is a singer and choir leader originally from Cumbria, now living in Risca, and is delighted to be running the newest addition to the Sally's Angels family in her home town.
Jen studied music at York University before moving to London to pursue a singing career, where she trained with the ENO and sang with several professional choirs for over 10 years.
She currently works for Tenovus Cancer Care running choirs for people affected by cancer, as well as singing with Caritas, a chamber choir based in South Wales who are dedicated to raising money for good causes through song.
Jen is the leader of Sally's Angels Risca.
Beth Lewis
Musical Director, Accompanist
Beth is a music teacher and is also the accompanist for Sally's Angels Bassaleg and Simply Singers. She is also the co-musical director of Hospice Harmony.
She says "I love working with Sally and hearing the choirs produce the most incredible sounds. Accompanying them is just sheer joy. I get to play the piano, which I adore, as well as listening to great music and making fabulous friends at the same time. What could be better?"
Beth absolutely loves music and finds such pleasure in being involved in communal music making. As a teacher she has worked with choirs, orchestras and bands for years and now relishes the opportunity to work with adult choirs.
Jo Bartley
Accompanist
Jo grew up in South Yorkshire and started piano lessons aged 5 and trumpet lessons not long after. At the age of 18 she went to music college in Wales where her principal study was the trombone and she has been lucky enough to perform far and wide, including at the BBC Proms, on a cruise ship and in the Royal Albert Hall. She has also toured with Katherine Jenkins, Russell Watson, Bryn Terfel, Welsh National Opera and BBC National Orchestra of Wales.
Jo still plays the trombone and piano, but since having a young family has concentrated more on teaching the trombone and piano closer to home. Jo currently works for the local music service as a peripatetic brass teacher and is also the trombone tutor for the Junior Conservatoire at the RWCMD in Cardiff.
Jo is the accompanist for Sally's Angels Pontyclun and Sally's Angels Radyr, and the rehearsals are highlights of her week!
Helen Pugsley
Accompanist
Originally from West Wales, Helen was brought up in a musical household with both her parents being professional musicians. Having started the piano aged 5 and achieving Grade 1 at age 6, she progressed through the grades achieving Grade 8 at age 13, the ABRSM Associate diploma with distinction at age 17, and continued to study piano at university with renowned pianist Richard McMahon.
Helen achieved a B.Mus (hons) degree from Cardiff University and has lived and worked in the Cardiff area ever since. Alongside her piano studies, Helen is also a keen singer. Choral singing is one of her big passions and this love of making choral music with others started at a young age where she sang in St Davids Cathedral, Pembrokeshire as a chorister. She continued her choral experience by singing with the National Youth Choir of Wales, the Swansea Bach Choir, Cantemus Chamber Choir and the Caritas Concert.
Helen is currently the chair of Cantemus Chamber Choir Wales and sings with various other small choral ensembles in the South Wales area on a semi professional basis.
Helen is the accompanist for Sally's Angels Risca.
