Stonesbarn Reviews 

Stones Barn is a wonderful place for a singing experience. In a beautiful setting, many miles from the nearest town, you can be transported back to times when singing was a part of everyone's life, providing joy and community identity. Rose-Ellen and Maddy lead sessions with professionalism and great good humour, creating a group dynamic which is non judgemental and immensely supportive. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

The beginners singing workshop gave me confidence to sing in a group of people.
Beautifully taught in gorgeous surroundings.
Very welcoming and fun!
Highly recommend 😊

I spent an excellent weekend singing at Stones Barn, the event was run by Maddy Prior and Rose-Ellen. I learnt a lot over the weekend, we were coached and encouraged to bring out the best in our voices, all done in an relaxed and good humoured atmosphere. I was amazed at the end that, without feeling any pressure, how much I had learnt. The songs are still buzzing round my head, it usually takes more than a weekend for new music to take a hold in my brain!

The most wonderful, nurturing environment and a high level of tuition. Simply outstanding.

I attended a Stones Barn singing workshop with Maddy and Rose-Ellen as part of the 2025 Forgotten Lands Festival programme (Saturday, May 24th).

Entering the workshop as someone with no vocal training (who has been told their whole life they are tone deaf), I was highly anxious about singing as part of a group. However, I was astonished at how comfortable I felt throughout the session and how a group of strangers, over a single hour, could make such progress, cohesion, and powerful music together. The barn, facilitated by Maddy and Rose-Ellen, felt like a welcoming but also challenging space: exactly what I want from a place of learning and collaboration.

I don't know much about the science of singing for health, but I felt much better in myself after the session; more energised, connected and positive. As someone who has been living for almost three years with an energy-limiting chronic illness, I have not been able to engage in many group situations (and when I have, they have mostly resulted in big crashes). Still, I left the singing workshop with more energy, not less! I would recommend Stones Barn to anyone interested in singing, however inexperienced or nervous you may feel. It's a nourishing experience in a beautiful part of the world, not to be missed.

I learnt so much. The individual lessons with Maddy and Rose-Ellen were the highlights. I just wish I'd found out about this course and done it years ago.
The vegetarian food was brilliant too.

As a lifelong singer, I was crushed to be diagnosed with a condition that affected my ability to speak, and really worried I wouldn't sing again.

Rose-Ellen, as a Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) liaised with me about what treatment I'd had with the NHS SLT Voice Team, and built on that to help me increase my range whilst teaching me how to protect my vocal cords.

Maddy, as a Complete Vocal Institute Teacher, helped me find new ways to sing with the voice I now have, and shared little tricks that helped improved the notes I sang.

Both of them were incredibly understanding of the emotional impact not singing had been having on me, and they built up my confidence and helped me learn to trust in my own voice again.

The different techniques of using natural sounds and noises, teaching us the anatomy of the vocal cords so we understood how our singing works, and using our whole bodies to support our singing were fascinating, educational, and hilarious. The whole group bonded wonderfully, and it was a truly joyous experience to share each other's journeys.

Caron, our lovely cook, did an amazing job of feeding us the most delicious fare whilst being very aware and accommodating of my severe food allergies and others dietary needs.

It was such a holistic experience being there, and so emotional when we sang as a group, and when I sang alone. I left knowing how to continue improving my voice with the tools they gave me.

Maddy and Rose-Ellen have been a vital part of helping to heal my voice, and they helped heal a little bit of my soul too.

Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned singer, there is something for everyone at Stones Barn.

Prior to my going on this course I had never sung in front of people before in my life. I applied for this course on a whim, and it was a revalation! I can not fault it. The whole thing was well run in a friendly and constructive atmosphere. I loved every moment. The food provided was excellent; I even put on weight!. The location was beautiful. Take some time out to enjoy the sights of the area. I shall be going again next year; the only question is for which course I enrol and which local choir I join.

I started out very uncertain indeed. I remained uncertain after the Friday night. But during the Saturday the friendship and support from the group, the guidance and enthusiasm from Maddy and Rose-Ellen, the excellent food, and the fun and energy gained from the singing meant that I changed, my confidence grew, and I had a very enjoyable weekend. I have come away with an ear-worm I cannot stop singing! And whilst not certain I feel that I might be brave enough to see what choirs there are locally, something I would not have even thought about before going on this weekend.

I have been to two singing courses at Stone Barn and was heartened and thrilled by the experience, Maddy and Rose are excellent teachers but more importantly the atmosphere is positive and encouraging, Everyone is support at what level they are at, if your worried about not being good enough, don’t! They don’t judge, just gently steer you forwards

This beautiful haven in Cumbria provides a warm, friendly and safe place to learn singing techniques and to make new friends.
There are a variety of courses available throughout the year covering not just harmony singing but song-writing and poetry too.
Highly recommended for anyone wanting to take a leap into a new experience; you will be supported, not judged. You will enjoy fantastic food in a stunningly gorgeous setting. You will meet strangers who quickly become friends.
Step outside of your nest, spread your wings and fly!

Have been on two Stones Barn weekends, good company, great fun, delicious food and folk music in a lovely location, what more could you want? Well, for me, that would be a third visit! When it's possible again, really look forward to that.

Amazing experience. I learned so much in a short space of time and continue to be inspired . Can’t wait to go again.

Lovely setting with lovely people.
Thank you very much!

Rose-Ellen and Maddy are fantastic vocal teachers and along with Nette, create a really warm, homely atmosphere to sing in - all levels are welcome and it's a judgement-free space.

I was very nervous about my first solo trip since my husband passed away. It was a wonderful, uplifting and funny and happy weekend with comfortable accommodation, amazing food and singing tuition where we were encouraged to push ourselves and ended in multi harmony and beautiful music

Beautiful music and Great people and the foods not bad either

I have visited Stones Barn for music weekends a couple of times now. They have been amazing weekends with good company, great food and the joy of singing.

Magic!

It took me a long while to pluck up the courage to go to one of the singing courses, but it transformed my life and I have been back many times since.