By Lowri Stafford
CANTEBURY, UK — LAUREN-LOUISE Riley, 21, says she lost the ability to speak for five years after a traumatic childhood. But she claims the power of music unlocked her silence allowing her to blossom into an accomplished chorister and pianist. Using her own experiences she now helps run choirs across the district for others with mental or physical illnesses. The music student at Canterbury Christ Church University tells Lowri Stafford how singing can help change lives…
You were mute for five years? Yes. I had problems at home as a child before my parents split. I lost a lot of weight and was badly bullied for it.
Now you sing all the time? Yes, I love it. I was in six separate ensembles last year, as part of the Canterbury Cantata choir. It is now a trust which includes the Canterbury Cantata and Amici Chorus. I have sung with them in Canterbury Cathedral, Westminster Abbey and Rochester Castle. I also play piano, guitar and flute.
You use your experience to help others? I know first-hand the healing abilities of music. It is a fact that music can do incredible things. Tests have shown the human brain floods with blood when music is played – it doesn’t do that in any other situation.
Who do you help? I started a choir for blind people in Herne Bay and another for people who have had strokes in Whitstable.
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