Stella has a rich background in the arts and began her creative journey as a dancer studying at the Bird Collage of Performing Arts in Kent and the Royal Northern Ballet School in Manchester. As a young teen in the 1980's she performed as a chorus singer / dancer on stage in professional shows and pantomimes alongside the likes of Helen Shapiro, Guy Pearce (Neighbours) and Charlie Williams MBE, at The Charter Theatre, Preston.
She began her vocal training as a teenager under the tuition of Louisa Shaw (CATS musical) and as an adult trained as a classical soprano under the tuition of Glyndebourne opera singer, Anne Mason.
Stella originally began singing and recording jazz in 2002 for several years until 2008, at which point she felt inspired to focus upon her songwriting and the recording of her own albums.
She has since made a comeback to jazz in 2022 and has been performing regularly in and around the East Sussex area.
Greatly inspired by the music and sounds of Ella Fitzgerald, Gershwin, Cole Porter, Irvin Berlin, Peggy Lee, Doris Day, Teddy Wilson and Al Bowley she shares is her own words;
"I'm absolutely thrilled to return to the world of jazz and share my passion for this wonderful music. It has never left me and I hope to bring joy to the people I sing for. For me, singing is a spiritual experience where I feel the connection and relationship to the audience is the most important element. It isn't about us, the band, but it's about all of us together and what we can make happen as a community, sharing in an uplifting and unforgettable experience".
A songwriter, producer and multi instrumentalist, Stella plays acoustic guitar, Celtic harp, recorders, flutes, percussion and djembe drum.
She has recorded as a session singer on many albums over the years and was also involved in the recording of the chorus for 'This Land is Your Land' by Billy Bragg.
Later recordings include the album Stella by Starlight with musicians from the late Rockin' in Rhythm - Brighton Swing band - and a trio collaboration with guitarist Piers Clarke and bassist Steve Thompson.
She has sung at weddings, functions, music festivals and private events of all shapes and sizes.
Folk
As a folk singer-songwriter and musician, Stella performed, recorded and toured the UK and Europe with well known festival band Spacegoats from 1994 to 1998 and co-produced her two solo albums:
Ordinary Day (2011) and The Wild Places (2014) with producer
Matt Tweed (Spacegoats, Martha Tilston, Carrie Tree).
Her songs are an intimate, dreamy and magical exploration into the wonders of Nature, Life and Love.
Art
Alongside music and singing, Stella makes enchanting handmade collages reflecting her deep love of nature. She is inspired by birds, botanicals, butterflies, fairytale and folklore.
Using vintage postcards of fairies, angels and goddesses, she works with mixed media elements and embellishes her collages with pressed flowers, antique treasures and other magical and curious trinkets.
There is now a collection of beautiful greeting cards - taken from the originals - available for sale.
To see and purchase Stella's art and CDs, please see the Store / Art link.
Music links to Spotify and Apple Music are on her Songwriter page.
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Stella Homewood Music
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