About Us

Dr. Liz Garnett (she/her)

Musical Director

Liz is a choral clinician and musicologist with a particular interest in music and its social meanings. She studied music at the Universities of Bristol and Southampton, then taught at Colchester Institute’s School of Music and Performance Arts, before moving to Birmingham Conservatoire, where she served as Head of Postgraduate Studies until June 2009.

For 10 years she directed and arranged for a close-harmony choir called Magenta. From 2018-2023 she was MD of the Telfordaires – a male barbershop chorus. Liz was appointed MD of Rainbow Voices in 2024.

Sam Lewis (he/him)

Resident Pianist

Sam creates exciting musical arrangements of pop songs for choirs. Though classically trained, Sam is a skilled improviser, and loves to infuse choir rehearsals with a jazzy energy! When he is not performing, Sam teaches piano both privately and in schools across the Midlands.

Rob Grady (he/him)

Co-Chair / Events Co-ordinator

Rob has been the Co-Chair for two years and an active member of Rainbow Voices for around 20 years, and has led the organisation of many of the choir’s concerts. He sings Tenor.

“I find singing very therapeutic and great fun. When not singing, I love visiting and performing in the theatre and re-enacting at 1940s events with my vintage car.”

Sue Orr (she/her)

Co-Chair / Librarian

Sue has sung in choirs and as an amateur on stage from childhood. However studies, life and a busy job meant she couldn’t continue with this, yet she always had hopes to return to singing and performance, when it was possible.

Sue joined Rainbow Voices in September 2023, following a change in personal circumstances and retirement. In 2024, she took on the Co-Chair and Librarian roles to the choir.

Sue has enjoyed the return to singing and performance. “Singing with such a supportive group has reminded me of the joy that it brings and it has been a way of trying to manage and maintain good mental health. The highlight for me so far was singing at the Hand in Hand LGBTQ+ Festival in Bristol in August 2023.”

Lesley Pattenson (she/her)

Membership Lead

Having sung in ensembles since a child, Lesley joined the choir in 2003 when she moved to Birmingham, having been a founding member of Leed’s choir Gay Abandon in 1997.

She was Chair of Rainbow Voices for three years and has also held posts of fund-raising and publicity. She produced the 20 year anniversary exhibition, the 2022 update and is currently also the choir’s archivist and lead for the 2026 Various Voices Festival in Brussels in 2026.

Phoenix Mapley (they/them)

Secretary

Phoenix is a biomedical scientist who identifies as gender fluid and pansexual. They joined choir to help their mental health and have a better social life. They have recently taken on the secretary role but they have been PR/Advertising lead and membership lead in the past. They have been part of Rainbow Voices for around 10 years and it brings them a lot of friendship and joy.

Kaz Burgess (she/her)

Fundraising Co-lead

Kaz has always enjoyed singing and was a member of the Glasgow Phoenix Choir until she moved away from her home city.

She joined Rainbow Voices at the beginning of 2023 and really enjoys not only the singing but the supportive community that being a member of the choir provides.

When not singing Kaz loves to travel and has a busy job working in the field of digital accessibility field.

Gemma Polatajko (she/her)

Fundraising Co-lead

Gemma recently joined the choir back in October 2024 and is part of the alto section. 

Having spent much of her youth performing in concert and brass bands, Gemma missed music making and was keen to join a diverse and inclusive group to give singing a go.

Gemma is looking forward to working with Dan to help raise vital funds for the choir – keep an eye on our socials for ways you can support Rainbow Voices! 

 

Dan Tomas (he/him)

Fundraising Co-lead

Biog awaited

Martin Pink (he/him)

Treasurer

Biog awaited