Laura Mvula: Women Make Music

Laura Mvula began her journey as a composer at Birmingham Conservatoire where she studied composition at undergraduate level with Joe Cutler. Laura developed a passion for vocal music through writing and arranging for various local ensembles and also leading city-wide schools projects. Towards the end of her studies in 2008, Laura widened her creative skill base forming a jazz/neo-soul band ‘Judyshouse’ where she sang lead vocals and wrote the band’s original material. ‘Judyshouse’ has shared the stage with noted UK artists Soweto Kinch and Eska Mtungwazi.

Laura found her love for singing when she joined world renowned a cappella group Black Voices in 2005 where she performed all over the UK and Europe gaining a wealth of experience in singing solo parts as well as close harmony accompaniments.

Earlier this year, Laura began sketching solo ideas for a new body of work. Brit nominee producer and composer Steve Brown (Spend! Spend Spend!)   and manager Kwame Kwaten (Rumer) became quickly interested in the initial sketches. Laura began working with Steve on a debut album in June set for official release later this year.

Laura also enjoys working with children and young people in music, having led vocal workshops in various citywide projects and summer schools. In 2009 Laura led pupils from 2 schools in Birmingham, in composing and performing songs for the ‘Freedom Town’ project (in association with the Town Hall). In July 2011 Laura went on to lead local young people in a week of writing and performing during the summer school programme ‘Sounds Like Summer‘ in partnership with UFA and Birmingham’s Symphony Hall and Town Hall.

Laura is also a proud director of the Lichfield Community Gospel Choir, founded by Black Voices in 2009 and she also regularly directs the Alvechurch Community Choir founded in 2009.