Bella Lilley
My life so far has been a weave of music and movement, healing practices and processes, mothering and a deep connection to our indigenous roots and the land. I see myself primarily as a mother and nurturer (I have 3 daughters) and I bring the same qualities of care, compassion and holding into my work with the voice. I am very inspired by time spent in Africa where family, community, song and dance are all woven together as a natural part of living and this is a strong thread in my facilitation style. Early experiences of death in my family and the subsequent journeys of grief and integration have also had a strong influence in my work and deepened my capacity to hold others in the full spectrum of their human experience.
I’ve been facilitating spaces for singers for 20 years and working with individuals for 8 years. I trained in ethnomusicology at SOAS, toured with Ombiviolum and Avalon Roots, worked with Devon community music organisations Wren music and Shumba Arts for many years. I ran highly successful Singing Sistas groups for mothers and their children in Stroud for several years and have run 4 years of music and cultural immersion camps at Kankeling Garden in The Gambia.
I’ve been facilitating spaces for singers for 20 years and working with individuals for 8 years. I trained in ethnomusicology at SOAS, toured with Ombiviolum and Avalon Roots, worked with Devon community music organisations Wren music and Shumba Arts for many years. I ran highly successful Singing Sistas groups for mothers and their children in Stroud for several years and have run 4 years of music and cultural immersion camps at Kankeling Garden in The Gambia.
I have worked with Fiona Shaw (www.birthingthesoul.co.uk) for many years which has supported me on my own healing journey and in developing my connection with the world of spirit. I have learned to support others in their deep inner process of transformation and integration through expression, connection to exiled parts of themselves and connection spirit and ancestral wisdom.
I have trained with Briony Greenhill in CVI (collaborative vocal improvisation), with the macrobiotic school in macrobiotic and life counselling, with The Selfheal School in herbalism , in NLP, reiki and self-compassion.
I am currently entering into study of VMT (voice movement therapy) and am excited about the new possibilities this will add to my work.