“Warm tenor voice with flexibility and clarity. Clean ornamentation. The legato line was fabulous. Extremely clear diction. A very beautiful programme!”

So remarked the Adjudicator to Andrew Bennett, winner of the Stratford and East London Music Festival. The festival was established in 1882 and has been awarding a silver cup to the winner of the Lila Grisley Open Challenge Recital Class since 1924. Andrew not only won the recital class, he did so with Distinction.

Teacher proud!

A surprise that was no surprise, I’d no idea Andrew entered the competion, having done so about three years into our work together, all of which has been conducted via the internet.

Andrew came to me after experiencing physical challenges related to an accident and was curious about the “imposto” of Lucie Manén—a student of Anna Schoen-René. Having sung professionally for many years in the United Kingdom and on the Continent, Andrew’s not only fully recovered, he’s finally getting to where he’s always wanted to be with his singing.

All I can say is: Bravo, Andrew!