You may have seen Ceri shifting between guitar, keyboards and percussion during many Session gigs, whilst also singing backing vocals and dancing around the stage! She is a founding member of the band (although she will hate that we’ve said that as that will give her age away!). In the first in the series of our ‘Meet The Band’ articles, we get to know Ceri a little better.

Tell us a bit about yourself:

I’ve been performing with Session for 20 years – I learnt to play guitar at the age of 16, and then went on to take grade exams in piano and music theory in my 20’s. I’ve recently taken on learning the drums, which is different but fun! Outside of Session, my 2 year old daughter keeps me busy.

Who are your biggest musical influences?

I grew up in a music-loving household and have my parents to thank for introducing me to some top-quality bands –  Queen, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd to name a few. I’ll listen to any band that produces guitar-riff based music – Biffy Clyro, Silverchair, Bring Me The Horizon, Foo Fighters and Royal Blood are just a few of my favourites, although I’m also currently listening to Einuadi for piano inspiration.

Funniest/craziest Session moment?

There are so so many, although flying to Seattle for 3 days to perform at a wedding has to be up there.

What made you decide to join Session?

It seemed like a natural progression from the St Cyres School Wind Band! #cool

What is your favourite thing about being in Session?

We have so much fun as a band – not just performing, or at gigs and events, but socially and on our WhatsApp group. It really is a laugh-a-minute!

What is your proudest musical accomplishment?

Getting to Grade 8 in Theory of Music. I sat the last exam whilst 8 months pregnant, which was a real challenge, particularly as I needed the loo every 5 mins!

What is your biggest fear?

Heights. More specifically, standing at the top of a ladder putting the band’s awesome LED backdrop up. A truly terrifying pre-gig routine!

What music or radio stations do you listen to in the car the most?

Songs of ‘choice’ when driving at the moment include ‘Baby Shark’,’ The Wheels On The Bus’ or ‘Sleeping Bunnies’….

Have you ever had a nickname? What is it?

Stingl (maidename) and Fraggle (after a bad 80’s perm) are two that are printable.

When not performing or practicing, what do you like to do?

Spending time with friends and family. Performing in a professional wedding and event band means being unavailable much of the time over the weekends, but it’s so important to make time to see the people you love.

What’s your life motto?

Live the life you want to live – if you don’t like it, change it.

Next up in this series of ‘Meet The Band’ we have our female vocalist, Fay Church!