Jenny Gould

Composer, Songwriter, Musical Director, Pianist

Her skill in enhancing the actors' work by providing scores which both heightened the tension and excitement and also supported the more downbeat moments. Colin Sell, Head of Music East 15 Acting School

"Really enjoyed the play, its way of engaging without losing any of the juice that makes Shakespeare so enduring. The musical canvas served the characters well and reached out to the the audience keeping the attention focused on the play in such an enjoyable atmosphere."

Julian Joseph, jazz pianist and composer, writing about The Young Shakespeare Company's production of Hamlet at The Bloomsbury Theatre for which I was Composer/MD

"Jenny is a fine theatre composer, her sense of dramatic style and period reflected in her music at all points. She sets up the drama clearly within musical interludes and at the same time is always aware of pace and mood. I especially enjoyed her work on The Nightingale and the Rose, which demonstrated a fine ear for setting lyrical drama; the orchestrations were also sensitive and very accomplished. The knockabout The Taming of the Shrew of a few years back and her work at East 15 Acting School (where until recently she taught singing and composed incidental theatre music) bore witness to her skill in enhancing the actors’ work by providing scores which both heightened the tension and excitement and also supported the more downbeat moments. Her career in this area of music must be assured."

Colin Sell, Head of Music East 15 Acting School

Jenny has tremendous energy, enthusiasm and a passion for music which she communicates effortlessly. She is able to relate well with young people across the age range and is particularly strong at drawing out young people’s potential and building their self-esteem. She has clear boundaries, high expectations and achieves consistently good results. As a team member she is completely reliable, supportive, flexible yet willing to lead when appropriate. The musical compositions that she has developed with young people have been really well pitched, delivering exactly what was required with an appropriate level of challenge.

Liz Sacre, Team Leader Finchley Youth Theatre

"The writing, both script and music, really played to the strengths of the young cast. As the audience left humming the uplifting and memorable final song 'Now is My Time' , it was a fitting and joyous culmination of the term's work..." Dale Rooks, Director, Chichester Festival Youth Theatre, writing about CFYT's performance of The Hunt for William Shakespeare

I thoroughly enjoyed the workshop presentation of The Withered Arm recently at the National Opera Studio, and was particularly impressed with the freshness of both presentation and approach. This is definitely a project which deserves support for further development and also encouragement to reach fruition in a full production.

Bill Bankes-Jones, Artistic Director Tête à Tête: The Opera Festival

Many congratulations on The Withered Arm. I very much enjoyed watching the London showcase, and I think the whole project is really promising. As a subject The Withered Arm is very apt for operatic treatment, and I particularly liked the idea of the local versus the universal - local in story and yet universal in its values. The music is beautiful and atmospheric and overall the material really strong, and well worth further development.

Matthew Scott, Head of Music, National Theatre, London

I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed hearing your wonderful songs performed with such enthusiasm by the Finchley Children’s Music Group. You are outstandingly talented and I suspect at the next FCMG anniversary they will speak of Britten and Gould in the same breath. I think the Intermediates are so lucky to have you and have the opportunity to premiere your work.

Parent - Finchley Children’s Music Group

Feste’s final song, with its refrain of ’With a hey, ho, the wind and the rain / For the rain it raineth every day’, has rarely felt so bitingly appropriate. If things go on like this, it could become the official summer anthem of the climate-change era - ****

Time Out - reviewing a performance of Twelfth Night in Bloomsbury, London.

In addition to being a very talented composer in my opinion she is also an extraordinarily inventive facilitator and teacher of children in the context of musical performance with immense energy enthusiasm and expertise

Geoffrey Moses, bass

An outstanding musician, a talented musical director and an inspiring vocal coach

John Topping - Cumbria Institute of the Arts

Jenny is good to be around – for her intelligence, keyboard skills, knowledge of contemporary singing repertoire, understanding of the singing voice. She will encourage you, calm you, inspire you, help you to focus. She will be a true friend and an expert guide. For anyone wanting a musical director, coach, or a teacher. And a composer, all rolled into one. I would say 'call Jenny Gould'.

Alan Woodhouse - Voice Coach and Acting Coach.

... works very well indeed... The interplay of the two flutes with the piano and each other is neat, balanced, and full of interest and variety, ensuring the arrangements make delightful concert pieces.

Alison Uren - reviewing my flute duet arrangement of selections from l’Arlésienne Suite for Music Teacher Magazine.

"Julian Joseph, who composed the opera's score, led his quintet from the piano, and directed proceedings alongside the incredibly engaging co-director Jenny Gould, who was charged with the colossal task of keeping the children engaged and in tow." David Fay (www.onestoparts.com) reviewing the performance of children’s jazz opera Shadowball at Hackney Empire for which I was Associate Music Director.

an excellent show by Naomi Hyamson last night - dedicated to Stephen Sondheim’s 75th Birthday - a really well paced performance of songs by Sondheim as well as those who influenced him and in turn those he influenced - including one song by the excellent pianist and musical director for the night Jenny Gould.

Sean Kelly - Midnight Voices, reviewing a Sondheim cabaret evening at The Rosemary Branch Theatre with mezzo chanteuse Naomi Hyamson. The song referenced is Little Bird.

A great set by a great singer/pianist combination.

Leslie Moss - Midnight Voices, reviewing the same evening as above.