Wellness with WNO

Working in collaboration with WNO facilitators Jenny Pearson and Kate Woolveridge and WNO producer April Heade, Zoë is responsible for co-devising, planning and leading Wellness with WNO. This six-week online programme, which was developed with NHS medical professionals and initially designed to support people experiencing feelings of breathlessness and anxiety that have continued longer-term after the initial symptoms of the COVID-19 virus, has recently expanded its reach to include other long-term conditions such as ME/CFS and fibromyalgia, aligning with the Welsh Government's Adferiad (Recovery) programme.

Wellness with WNO drop-in sessions

As part of Welsh National Opera’s ongoing commitment to participants who have completed the initial six week Wellness with WNO programme, fortnightly drop-in sessions are offered for those who would like to engage with the programme longer-term. Zoë is sole lead for this part of the project, responsible for devising and facilitating all sessions.

WNO Singing Sessions at Neath Port Talbot Hospital

Zoë performs regular Welsh National Opera concerts/singing sessions for long stay patients (and relatives) at Neath Port Talbot Hospital, working with pianist Rhiannon Pritchard.

Opera Workshops at the Dubai Expo

WNO Teach

Working with pianist and workshop leader Dan Perkin, Zoë co-devises and leads weekly WNO Teach workshops for participants with SEND/ALN. These workshops take the form of musical storytelling projects, for which Zoë also co-creates all project content (libretto, music and art work).

Wellness with WNO: Managing Persistent Pain Programme

Building on the success of the original Wellness with WNO Programme for individuals with Long Covid and in response to requests from NHS Pain experts, the team were invited to create a new programme specifically tailored to support people living with persistent pain. Working once again with WNO producer April Heade and fellow WNO vocal specialists Jenny Pearson and Kate Woolveridge, Zoë is responsible for co-devising session content and format in addition to leading regular online sessions. This new wing of the Wellness with WNO programme has recently completed its first formal evaluation phase with hugely positive results. Zoë has subsequently been delighted to lead demonstration sessions for NHS clinicians at several national medical conferences. 

Musical Pain Relief at Welsh National Opera | CLASSICAL MUSIC

The Red Dragon/Y Ddraig Goch

The Red Dragon/Y Ddraig Goch is an interactive, musical storytelling project for participants with SEND/ALN created during the 2021 Covid lockdown. Commissioned by Mid Wales Opera with the support of the Arts Council of Wales, the project was initially delivered (to pupils at Portfield School in Haverfordwest) as a series of weekly digital workshops involving body percussion, singing, signing and acting, along with invitations to send in art work. Zoë is vocal animateur, librettist and co-composer for the project, responsible for delivering, devising and creating all project content (libretto, music & artwork) in collaboration with pianist and workshop leader, Dan Perkin.