The Viva Tones are a premier function band based in the Midlands.
Made up of nine exceptional musicians, our repertoire covers many different musical styles from Motown to Pop and Swing to Rock. Due to our versatility, you can be assured we'll make your event extra special.
Should you require a special song to be performed at your event, one of our arrangers will be more than happy to sort this for you.
THE BAND
Get to Know Us
Stacey Summers
Singer
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Stacey is a raw talent born and bred in Burton On Trent. She started singing from an early age and was always taking centre stage, starring in her first lead role at the age of five in her school's nativity. Stacey performed in local shows to raise money for various charities, which is something close to her heart. She also played Dandini in Cinderella at a local prison with the inmates, this was part of a scheme to introduce the inmates back into society.
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Along with her older sister and fellow Viva, Natalie, Stacey sang on the pub and wedding circuit as part of a duo act, as well as a Steps tribute act as Faye Tozer and Sporty Spice in a Spice Girls tribute act.
Stacey has taken grade 5 drums - London College of Music, has studied hip hop and street dance as well as achieving awards in a ballroom and Latin American dancing.
Stacey moved abroad at the age of 21, where she worked as an entertainer and rep.
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Stacey has a strong performance and dance background and is currently a member of The Mellow Dramatics and Burton Musical Theatre Company in Burton on Trent, her roles have included:
Nikki Wade - Bad Girls
Sandra - Made In Dagenham
Gina - The Witches of Eastwick
Pilar - Legally Blonde
Oda Mea Brown - Ghost
Stacey has a classic pop voice laced with a soulful twist, she has natural rhythm and flair so enjoys singing anything from pop and rock to Motown and old soul.
Natalie Veasey
Singer
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Natalie started singing at an early age and has achieved grades 1-8 associated board and grades 1-8 in musical theatre, as well as getting her musical theatre diploma with the London College of Music (DIPLCM). With her younger sister and fellow Viva, Stacey, Natalie played Cinderella at a local prison with the inmates which was part of a scheme to introduce the inmates back into society. Together they have also worked the pub and wedding circuit as a duo act, Steps tribute as Lisa Scott Lee and Spice Girls tribute as Posh Spice. Natalie also has dancing training and has achieved awards in ballroom and Latin American dancing.
Natalie auditioned for the Birmingham Theatre School after finishing her A-Levels and earned her place there. Her roles included:
· Tybalt – Romeo & Juliet Touring theatre
· Witch – Macbeth at the Hippodrome Birmingham & Touring theatre
· Mrs Grudden – Nicolas Nickleby at the Old Rep Birmingham
Natalie has a strong performance background and is currently a member of The Mellow Dramatics in Burton on Trent. She has had several lead roles, all performed at the Brewhouse Arts Centre including:
· Crystal – Little Shop of Horrors
· Diana Morales – A Chorus Line
· Trish – Boogie Nights
· Suki Rougemont – The Witches of Eastwick
. Julie Saunders - Bad Girls
. Viv Nicholson - Spend Spend Spend
Natalie also taught drama and music for children aged 4-16 for the ESBC but now as she has two beautiful children Ivy and Edith she is yet to revisit this part of her life.
Natalie has a rock and soul voice with a pop edge and enjoys singing anything from Motown and northern soul to rock and pop.
Sarah Hancock-Davies
Saxophone
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Sarah studied Piano from a young age and progressed to Clarinet and Saxophone as a teenager. As well as being a member of the senior school Steel band, Sarah became a member of Derby Music Centre then Derbyshire County Youth Wind Band after only playing the Clarinet for a couple of years.
She has taken part in many Music for Youth competitions and the National Wind Orchestra competition as a youngster. Sarah has also toured Denmark, Holland and Japan with different ensembles.
Sarah studied Clarinet at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and played in Chamber Ensembles, the college Concert Orchestra and Wind Orchestra who were part of the National Saxophone Congress in 2003. Sarah studied Clarinet with John Reynolds, the Head of Woodwind at Welsh College having previously held the same position at the Royal Northern. Also Eb Clarinet as second study.
In addition to years of private Woodwind tuition and playing in theatre show Orchestras, Sarah has had a second career in social care sometimes combined with music. Sarah is currently a Shared Lives Carer who uses music as therapy working with Autism, people with mental health difficulties and older people with Dementia and Alzheimer's.
Sarah is also one of the Saxophonists for The Viva Tones, Musica Magna Concert Band and is working on music for her own folk ensemble to be launched soon.
Gemma Owen
Saxophone
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Gemma received her first music lesson when she was only six years old and was immediately hooked. She has achieved grade 8 saxophone and piano and an ABRSM Dip in clarinet performance.
Gemma has played in many different ensembles including the Staffordshire County Orchestra, Lichfield City Band and Staffordshire County Wind Band. Theatre work includes shows such as The Wizard of Oz, The Polar Express, Oh! What a Lovely War and Just So. Gemma also toured the circuit playing the saxophone for a Brenda Lee tribute band and piano for the 'Atlantic Soul' band.
Rob Murray
Trumpet
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Rob received trumpet lessons from Andy Stone-Fewings at Birmingham Conservatoire then successfully completed a BA (Hons) degree reading music with instrumental and vocal teaching at the University of Chichester. Here he studied trumpet with Fraser Tannock and Paul Sharp, conducting and orchestration with Dominic Nunns and Crispin Ward.
As an orchestral player, Robert has played with the High Peak Orchestra, Derby Concert Orchestra, Derby Choral Union Orchestra, Staffordshire Festival Orchestra, Chichester Symphony Orchestra, The Edwin James Festival Orchestra, Lichfield Sinfonia, Solihull Symphony Orchestra, Central England Ensemble, Musique-Cordiale Concert Orchestra and Opera Orchestra.
Theatre work includes Footloose; Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs; The Witches of Eastwick; Bad Girls; Oliver! 9 to 5; The Addams Family; Spamalot; Top Hat; Cinderella; Whistle Down The Wind; The Wedding Singer; West Side Story; Les Misérables; Crazy for You; The Hired Man; White Christmas; Jekyll and Hyde; Beauty and the Beast; School of Rock; The Wedding Singer; Sweeny Todd; Jesus Christ Superstar; High Society; Legally Blond; Tosca and many more.
Rob is Company Director for Music Academy for Schools, a company specialising in music education, ensembles, and workshops. He is also the brass teacher at St Wystan’s Independent Day School, Denstone College Preparatory School, and Denstone College.
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Rob is a member of the International Academy of Performing Arts and Sciences, working as an adjudicator for the ENKOR International Chamber Ensemble, Brass and Woodwind Competitions.
Jono Hood
Guitar
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Jono is a guitarist who has been playing the guitar for almost as long as he has walked. Taught by his Dad at a young age, he has gone on to perform, compose and record for various bands/artists across the country in a wide range of styles, including a theatre touring Beatles tribute band! As well as band work, Jono has also performed in a variety of Musicals alongside other members of the Viva Tones.
Alongside his work as a musician, Jono is the Director of Music in a very successful secondary school in Staffordshire. His role includes running all shows/ensembles/instrumental tuition as well as managing the academic side of the department.
Jono has been playing with the Viva Tones since they first decided to form the band, and has loved every gig and rehearsal ever since!
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Dan Emery
Bass
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Dan is a multi-instrumentalist who has been performing since a young age. He started learning the piano at age six and has never stopped playing music since then. He picked up the trumpet at age 10, and drums at age 13, achieving grade 8 on both instruments before studying music at The University of Huddersfield in 2010. He graduated with a first-class music degree in 2013 and has been working on his music career since then.
He plays drums and bass guitar in regular musical productions for various theatre societies across the midlands as well as percussion work for ensembles including The Shirley Band, Newhall Band, Gresley Colliery Brass Band, Derventio Brass Band, Liquid Brass, Minty Cucumber Jazz Band, the Mansfield Choral Society and Blastisimo Brass Group. In between working at a new job in engineering, he also volunteers as a musician and helper for Music Academy for Schools’ rehearsals, events and concerts.
Dan has been playing with the Viva Tones for just over four years and loves every minute of performing live with the band!
Pete Robinson
Drums
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Pete has been a drummer since the age of 11 and has been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to hone his craft through playing in a variety of bands. Pete is a versatile musician who has played for numerous rock bands, swing and jazz ensembles, brass bands, orchestras and musical theatre stage bands.
In addition to the drums, Pete is also an accomplished guitarist having taught both drums and guitar through 1-2-1 music tuition. For many years, Pete has also taught drumming at festivals throughout the country.
Alongside music, Pete also has a strong interest in Science and is currently the Curriculum area lead for Science at a local secondary school.
Pete loves playing music, not simply through the act of making and enjoying the music but through music’s ability to bring people together.
Many of the members of the Viva Tones, including Pete, have had the opportunity to know, work and make music together for 20+ years and this results in a professional polished performance for your event.