Who we are

The Costa Blanca Singers were established in September 2022. The intention from the offset was to create a fun and friendly group who could enjoy singing in a relaxed atmosphere with likeminded people, to develop friendships and to share the pure enjoyment of singing as a group. The Costa Blanca Singers are a non-profit making group who donate to local causes.

Meet the team that helps to make our group work:

Lonée Hopwood

I am a very proud Mother of three and Grandmother to five. My husband Robert, and I took the opportunity to move to Spain for our retirement years which has been and remains an excellent choice for us. I am now in a position to devote time to hobbies that could never be slotted into my earlier years. I became a member of the local amateur theatre group Studio32 three years ago and now find myself their chairperson. This was and remains a wonderful experience. In the spring of 2022, I took the decision to start a local community spirited singing group. The Costa Blanca Singers became the result. With much help from enthusiastic and like minded friends, we have flourished and this gives me enormous pleasure and a great sense of pride. I now find myself managing and co-ordinating an absolutely wonderful group of team players and dedicated singers. The Costa Blanca Singers are undoubtably a highlight in my life.

Barry Alford

I cannot remember a time when music has not been an influence on me and a song or a tune has not been running around in my mind. Professionally, I was an electrical engineer. 32 years in the Royal Navy, 25 years of those in the Submarine Service. Then in 1986 I joined Loveny Male voice choir, spending 10 very happy years entertaining the public, winning competitions and twinning with other choirs, both home and abroad. But the pinnacle of my time with the choir was singing in the Royal Albert Hall. Since settling in Spain in 2009, I have been a member of the Rascals and Stagestruck theatre group.Now, as a founder member of the fantastic CBS, I can honestly say the friendship and the camaraderie is second to none. Onwards and upwards.

Martin Scattergood

Hello I’m Martin and I’m the MD for the Costa Blanca Singers. I have been living in Spain since 2019 after working for 30 years as a nurse, both in the NHS and the private sector, having run my own medical aesthetics business for 10 years. My musical background is in amateur theatre in the UK where I have performed in over 60 musicals both in lead roles and ensemble. I joined the Costa Blanca Singers as I really love to sing and received a warm welcome from this lovely group of people. I have only recently taken over the MD role and I love it. We have a lot of fun and laughs every week. These wonderful singers inspire me at every rehearsal, and when we perform I am so proud to be part of this group.

Laura Shawsy

Hi I’m Laura, My musical journey began at the age of 8, I’ve embraced every opportunity to immerse myself in the world of performance. From singing lessons to dancing classes, and later joining local amateur dramatics groups, I’ve been fortunate to take part in a diverse range of productions, including beloved classics like Cabaret, Chicago, and West Side Story, as well as contemporary hits like Wicked and Bugsy Malone.

My journey led me to the Midland Academy of Dance and Drama (MADD), where I pursued and graduated with a BA Honours degree in Musical Theatre. Following graduation, I embarked on a professional career as a singer in locations such as Majorca and Cyprus, before life’s journey led me to Spain, where I embraced a new chapter. 

Discovering Studio 32 , (the local theatre group) reignited my love and passion for music and performance. Now, as I happily contribute to the musical direction of the Costa Blanca Singers, I bring with me not only years of training and professional experience but also an unyielding enthusiasm for nurturing talent and creating unforgettable performances. I am thrilled to channel my expertise and dedication into guiding others on their own musical journeys.

Lesley Harris

After a busy life in finance in the social housing sector in the UK, I moved to Spain in 2003. One of the best decisions of my life. I have been involved in many groups, including Stagestruck where I had, mainly group roles, although I did play Genie of the Rings in Aladdin in panto. My only previous experience of acting on an open stage was when I was 10 playing the recorder with the Brownies enticing a snake out of a pot in the annual gang show!! My interest in singing began when I met my husband, Barry. Subsequently, we became founder members of Costa Blanca Singers. I enjoy the camaraderie and friendship within the group.

Carol Claxton

Hi, I’m Carol and loving the retired good life in sunny Spain.Originally from the south coast of England but spent six years living in South Africa. I’ve worked in womens healthcare and have taught Ballroom and Latin American dance . Also did a 3 week stint as a Lollipop Lady that actually lasted 10 years. I like to do all the boring old lady stuff i.e baking,knitting and gardening but thankfully my brain is still capable of solving cryptic crosswords ! I am addicted to Greyhounds. Been singing for a few years – mostly quite badly – and CBS is my absolute best hobby.

George Durnan

Hi, I’m George and in November 2022 I retired to Spain with my wife Collette, who is also a member of Costa Blanca Singers. Professionally I was a Mental Health Nurse for 36 years with the NHS in Scotland, to say I’ve had a challenging and rewarding career is an understatement. Words cannot convey the physical and emotional rollercoaster that nurses experience on a daily basis.
My main interest is of course music and I play both guitar & mandolin. Back in Scotland I regularly performed with a live band at pub gigs, private functions and music festivals. Nothing compares to the experience of making music with other musicians and singers, especially when the audience are with you and the place is jumping! I was also a founder member of a small music festival whose ethos was to encourage young local musicians and provide a platform for them to perform in public.
With my previous experience working with live bands, I assist the CBS tech team with sound equipment and the PA system for rehearsals and live performances. Although I’ve only been a member for a few months I love singing with the choir and developing my voice. My wife Collette and I attended the CBS Christmas Carol Concert at Big FM Studios in Quesada in 2023. It was there that we met Lonée, a force of nature, who invited us along to our first rehearsal and the rest as they say, is history. CBS are not only a great group of people who enjoy singing and making music together, they’re much more than that. The pleasure of singing together and the joy it brings to the audience not forgetting the donations raised for local charities is it’s own special
and unique reward. Joining the CBS family has undoubtedly been one of the best decisions we have made, since moving to Spain. 

Rosie Jolly

Starting in pantomime at the local church at the tender age of 5 years, Rosie has always loved singing and performing. As one of the youngest members of the Pendle Civic Players, Rosie played a number of roles, including Henrietta in the famous ‘The Importance of Being Ernest’ and Ann Bronte in the ‘Brontes of Howarth Parsonage’. Following a short break while raising a family Rosie returned to the stage, performing in a number of well-known musical shows with Colne Operatic Society. Following an 8-year tenure as an elected member of Liverpool City Council, Rosie decided to return to the stage once again, performing in a number of productions with RADS, a local amateur dramatic society in her home city Liverpool, serving as secretary for 5 years, before stepping down to spend more time in Spain. Rosie is an avid theatre goer, enjoys writing, fundraising for local charities and best of all being a grandma to her 6 beautiful grandchildren.

Astrid Reuvecamp

I am Dutch and living and working as an accountant in the Netherlands (near Amsterdam). I am very fortunate that I can work from everywhere, as long as I have good coffee and a good internet connection, so I can divide my time between the Netherlands and sunny Spain. I love to sing and was happy to find I could join the Costa Blanca Singers, despite the fact that I am not in Spain all year round. Besides singing, I love to dance. I have done Ballroom and Latin dancing, belly-dancing, some salsa- and  line dance and a little bit of Argentine tango. My latest “addiction” is Zumba. I also love hiking and biking and I love to relax with a good book.  Beause I am so happy I can sing with this fabulous group of people, I wanted to do something back. Thats how I became the webmaster….