Iona Leigh, who attended the Moray Steiner School and Forres Academy, has just released her debut album, 'Spirit', on Crescent Moon Records, after recording it at the famous Resident Studios in London with pianist Kevin Webster.

She was born in 1983 in Sydney, Australia, and moved to Findhorn in 1992 with her mother, Marion Leigh, and brother, Michael Stoker.

"I was born Iona Stoker, but I changed my name to Iona Leigh at the age of 16, as I preferred the sound for artistic purposes," she said. "I stayed initially at Mary's Cottage in Findhorn village, then moved to Cullerne House in 2002."

She began at the Moray Steiner School in 1992. She said: "I had a great opportunity to be involved with music at the Steiner School. I learned recorder, piano, guitar and harp before begging my Mum for private singing lessons with local opera-trained singer Belia Biesheuvel, who is also from Australia and teaches in Findhorn.

"I left the Steiner School once my class was reduced to four pupils, and went to Forres Academy, where I joined the school choir. I took both Standard Grade and Higher Music with Mr Gavin Currie.

"While I was there, I enjoyed a weekly after-school choir at Burgie Mains with local singing teacher Kate O'Connell, who still runs choirs and teaches music at the Steiner School. I also attended various singing workshops at the Universal Hall with teachers such as Black Voices."

She left Forres Academy at the end of her Fifth Year with four Highers, and began a Higher National Diploma course at the Perth College Music Millenium Centre, part of the Highlands and Islands University. On completion of the diploma, Iona was accepted at Europe's leading Pop/Rock School, 'Vocaltech' – part of the London College of Music and Media at Thames Valley University.

Iona graduated with a first-class Honours BMus degree in June, 2006, and immediately began recording her debut album at the Resident Studios.

During her time in London, Iona has performed at some of London's top music venues, including the Rock Garden in Covent Garden and the famous Shepherd's Bush Empire.

Iona said: "I have recorded this album for family, friends and my local community, as I wanted to share the music I have been writing and performing for the last few years. I hope people will enjoy it, and that it will help me attract a recording or publishing deal.

"I wrote and produced the album myself, and recorded it in the summer of 2006 after finishing my degree and setting up my own independent label, 'Crescent Moon Records'.

Iona's album is now available priced £12.95 from the Phoenix Shop in Findhorn, the Music Centre in Forres High Street, Health and Harmony in Nairn, or via Iona's own website at www.iona.tv/shop. Iona is also a featured artist on the Moray Steiner School compilation recording which celebrates the school's 21st anniversary.

She is now teaching at London's Music House For Children, a non-profit organisation funded by the Arts Council to support musical learning for all ages, as a music and movement specialist for early years.

She is also studying for a Masters degree in Performance and Media Health at Thames Valley University, the first course of its kind in Europe.

k.smith@forres-gazette.co.uk

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