Dr Mary Black is currently a Visiting Research Fellow in the School of Music at Leeds University and divides her time between writing, presenting, singing and directing. She has a long held interest in music teaching and learning, specifically in relation to singing and choirs. Mary was a teacher for over 15 years in Yorkshire and was subsequently Senior Lecturer at Liverpool Hope University, teaching in both the Music department and Education faculty. Her interest in choral singing and directing led to her completing a PhD (Leeds University) on the functions and effects of imagery in choral directing. She has presented at conferences on this topic both nationally and internationally, most recently in Lund (Sweden), Berlin, Graz (Austria), York, Manchester and Oxford.

Mary’s publications include:

Black, M. T. (2014). Bouncing and dancing: the use and effect of verbal imagery in choral directing. In U. Geisler, & K. Johansson (Eds.), Choral Singing: Histories and Practices, Cambridge Scholars Publishing.

Black, M. T. (2015). Let the Music Dance! The Functions and Effects of Verbal Imagery in Choral Rehearsals. Retrieved from http://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/

Black, M T. (2017). “Spongy” and “Glitter.” Verbal imagery in choral rehearsals provides a route to creating inter- and intra- choir cultures. In S. Clark, E. King, G. Marshall, H. Prior, & E. Himonides (Eds.), Musical Cultures Conference. Sempre Conference Proceedings (pp. 34-43). Hull: Sempre.