When people find their voice, they find their confidence. When that happens collectively, something extraordinary happens.
Image by John Johnson
Artist | Composer | Vocal Architect
Jennifer John is an award-winning artist, composer and vocal architect who creates original work and large-scale collective singing experiences across the contemporary music industry, cultural sector and grassroots communities.
Her artistic practice spans vocal composition, improvisation and performance.
Her consultancy work focuses on vocal and artistic development for artists.
She is the founder and Creative Director of Very Vocal, the production house designing collective singing experiences that create social change.
She is also the Creative Director of Sense of Sound, a curated vocal collective.
Current Artistic Direction (DYCP)
Jennifer John is currently in a year of artistic development supported by Arts Council England’s Developing Your Creative Practice programme.
This period is allowing her to reflect on her vocational practice and shape it into a more defined body of work, with a focus on collective singing as a tool for connection, cultural storytelling and participation.
It marks a curatorial phase in her work, bringing greater clarity to the projects she now leads as an Artist, Composer and Vocal Architect.
Awards
National Honour from Her Majesty The Queen for services to community singing (2003)
Arts and Culture Award — European Federation of Black Women Business Owners (2005)
Liverpool City Region Community Art and Music Award — winner (2018)
LCR Culture and Creativity Awards — Impact Award for COVID-19 Response (2020)
AIM Independent Music Awards — Local Hero Award (BBC Music Introducing) (2021)
Creative Leadership and Governance
20 Stories High — vice chair
Black Music Action Group — former chair
Liverpool Philharmonic Hall — former trustee
Liverpool City Region Music Board — former trustee
In Conversation
Listen to Jennifer John in conversation with Liverpool Music City, part of Liverpool’s UNESCO City of Music programme, reflecting on her creative practice and the wider music industry.