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Musical Director: Anne Beynon Anne Beynon was born in Treharris, and has been singing practically from birth. She started her performing career at the ripe old age of 3 years in the Chapel in the regular "Quarterly Meetings" and of course the Whitsun Gymanfa Canu. 
Throughout her school life, Anne was always involved in singing in
the school choirs and, and she made her "operatic debut" singing
Yum-Yum in Quakers' Yard Grammar School's production of The Mikado.Anne initially trained as a professional singer at the age of 15 years under the "eagle eye" of Valetta Iacopi in the Welsh College of Music and Drama. Here she won many awards and prizes. Her training was mainly operatic, although she sang Lieder and French Chanson in addition to the "lollipops" that audiences appreciate. She trained as teacher, but returned to her first love -singing- and became a member of the Welsh National Opera Company, and sang with them until her children were born. Anne continued to sing professionally with various male voice choirs and choral societies, and also accompanied choirs and soloists alike on the piano. It was a little while later that Anne decided to embark on a totally different career and qualified as a nurse, but even whilst studying and working, still upheld a keen interest in music and singing which, on a part time basis took her to very many varied and prestigious venues. She was invited to conduct the Ynysybwl Male Voice Choir in 1994. The Choir was the first one to pay Anne as a professional artiste when she first embarked on her singing career. The choir, even though small in numbers, are enjoying making music under Anne's direction. Their repertoire has changed radically from the original song and hymns that they have sung over the years, but Anne also includes some of this music in order to uphold the Male Voice tradition. Accompanist: Margaret Main 
Margaret was born in Abercynon where at an early age was
passionately fond of playing the piano. At 11 years of age
she became the organist at her local church. In Margaret’s teenage years she was busy accompanying artists at local charity concerts as well as playing piano solos. At 16 Margaret was accepted at the Royal School of Music where she studied as a concert pianist, it was there that she achieved the level of ARCM. After marriage in 1960 and working full time combined with family commitments Margaret’s music took second place until the mid 1970s where she had the pleasure of accompanying Pontypridd Operatic Society for a number of years. Margaret now has great pleasure in accompanying her daughter Heather Main as a soloist in many venues and concerts with various choirs here in the UK as well as Europe. Margaret has been the accompanist for Ynysybwl Male Voice Choir since April 1993 and the choir is indebted to Margaret for her enthusiasm and commitment. Soloist: Heather Main Heather was born in the mining village of Ynysybwl. She is primarily a solo singer. Her voice as a Mezzo Soprano is rich and distinctive with a wide vocal range. She has an extensive repertoire which includes many popular songs, musicals and light opera.  By day Heather works for a Credit Insurance Company at
the Cardiff Bay Waterfront and although kept very busy, still
finds the time to share her voice with others.As an amateur Heather played leading roles in stage musicals. She also entertains in many charitable functions. While training at the Welsh College of Music and Drama Heather won the Urdd Eistedfordd and went on to be very successful at the National Eistedfordd. Her first major performance was in the contralto role of the Oratorio Elijah. Heather has travelled extensively throughout the UK and Europe as guest artist to many choirs. Her mother, who is also a very accomplished concert pianist in her own right, having studied at the Royal School of Music London, accompanies her. |
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