Former Organ Scholar of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, in 2018 Anita was awarded the Limpus, Shinn and Durant prize for the highest mark in practical examinations for Associateship of the Royal College of Organists (ARCO). During her tenure at Sidney Sussex Anita featured on the choir’s recording Great Anthems (Gift of Music) and provided both continuo and solo performances on the Obsidian Label recording William Croft: Burial Service & Anthems, as well as undertaking an number of international tours including to Austria, the USA and Italy. She was selected for the Women Conductors Programmes of the Royal Philharmonic Society and Royal Opera House, and subsequently completed a Masters of Orchestral Conducting at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama with a scholarship. She has received masterclass tuition from mentors including Alice Farnham, Sian Edwards and Mark Shanahan, and has studied extensively with Jessica Cottis. Anita also conducted in the Women of the World Festival at the Royal Festival Hall in March 2018.
Anita is a conductor, composer, soprano and organist, a versatile musician particularly known for her work with choirs and voices. She is the Founder and Artistic Director of The Swan Consort, a chamber choir of elite singers specialising in early music but performing in a range of styles. She is based in her home county of Yorkshire, and is the Musical Director of York-based chamber choir The Micklegate Singers.
Anita was appointed Director of Music of St. Mary’s Parish Church, South Woodford (London) in 2014, and remained in post as organist and choirmaster until 2018. Her tenure was marked by the flourishing of the choir, including the successful re-establishment of choristers to the weekly sung Sunday services. In 2017-2018 she was Assistant Director of Music at the majestic Beverley Minster in East Yorkshire, near her home town of Hull. Her approach to Choral Conducting is informed by an understanding of vocal technique which is supported by her own vocal studies with Ghislaine Morgan. She has also benefited from conducting tuition from Paul Brough and Neil Ferris. A talented soprano in her own right, she regularly gives solo recitals and is a versatile choral singer She is frequently invited to support other musicians in capacity as accompanist and répétiteur.
Anita has also composed several pieces, many of which draw on her own rich dual heritage as a British-born South Asian. She has delivered commissions for a number of the UK’s leading ensembles, including The BBC Singers, The National Youth Choir, and an organ symphony based on raga for South Asian Contemporary Music NPO ZeroClassikal. Amongst her freelance projects, she is the artistic director for a multi-partner collaboration with The Bridgewater Hall, The Manchester Camerata in the Community and local amateur musicians in Manchester to realise performances of choral and orchestral imaginings of the music of Rabindranath Tagore. This project will include new commissions from talented British composers including Anita herself.
Anita completed her Ph.D. Candidate in Social Anthropology at the University of Durham. She is currently affiliated to The Guildhall School of Music and Drama as a Postdoctoral Research Associate investigating audience experience within the UKRI-funded Immersive Opera project, led by Professor Toby Young. As an educator, Anita has worked in state schools across Yorkshire, Greater London, and Cardiff and Vale, as well as teaching for several years at Durham University. Her pedagogical expertise informs her approach to coaching choirs and ensembles, and her broader work in access and participation to the arts.
Anita is available for freelance engagements and performances. For enquiries or to book Anita for an event or teaching, please use the contact form provided.