Bra-vissima is a small, non-profit making ladies choir formed by
Julia Wilson-James, herself an established soprano soloist from
Brentwood. Bra-vissima sings a wide range of music, sacred and
secular and works with keyboard accompaniment, orchestras and a
capella. Julia's aim for the choir has always been to achieve the
highest possible standard and to make a beautiful sound. As well
as several concert performances each year, Bra-vissima perform at
functions and church services. We are often invited to perform in
conjunction with other choirs as part of larger choral events and
have been a visiting choir at Chelmsford Cathedral for their
morning Eucharist Service.
Julia Wilson-James
Julia was born in Ilford and began singing seriously when, at the
age of eleven, she entered Redbridge Music School, studying under
the late Edna Graham until she gained a place at the Royal
Academy of Music. At the Academy, she studied with Patricia Clark
and Clara Taylor and won the Benjamin Britten Prize and a St
Marylebone scholarship.
Since those earlier days, Julia has performed for many celebrated
conductors in the UK and internationally in concerts and
recordings. Julia has recently completed a recording of church
choral and solo music with Andrew Wright, Master of Music at
Brentwood Cathedral and these are available on CD.
In addition to professional singing engagements, Julia is Director of
Vocal Studies at Brentwood School, Head of Vocal Tuition for the
boy choristers at Brentwood Cathedral where she is also a Lay
Clerk. In spring 2007, following a long-held desire by Julia to
create a ladies choir, ‘Bra-vissima’ was formed.