Carolyn Ansell BEM

I retired from a career in the Diplomatic Service in 2019, where I had also, latterly, chaired its LGBTQ+ network. Many years of global travel meant I didn’t get to know my home city of Brighton and Hove as well as I would have liked, so what better way to connect with my community than to volunteer! Initially, I supported broader community initiatives, such as the Brighton Marathon and LGBTQ+ events at Brighton and Hove Albion. I was then volunteer manager at Brighton’s Rainbow Hub before joining The Rainbow Chorus Board of Trustees in 2020, taking on the role of Chair in 2024.  This is a fantastic group of talented, enthusiastic and vibrant singers!  It is a privilege to be involved in the life of the Chorus and the value and joy it brings to the LGBTQ+ community, aspiring to be the best it can be in its diversity, inclusivity and song.

Anthony Bates

I joined the Board of Trustees in 2024, after previously serving as a Trustee at Brighton & Hove’s Rainbow Hub. I’ve been volunteering with LGBTQ+ charities in both the UK and Australia since the 1990s, which has been a big part of my life. My background is in design, marketing and communications, so I love bringing a mix of strategic thinking and creativity to the board. Inclusion and representation really matter to me, and I became a trustee because I want to support the special role Rainbow Chorus plays in bringing so many different voices together across Brighton and Hove.

Dave Cooper

Back in late 2004, I was looking for something to do that was just for me and wanted to meet new LGBTQ friends. I found Rainbow Chorus in January 2005 and I haven’t looked back since. Over the years, I have volunteered with the Chorus in various guises, including being on the working group that organised our trip to Dublin for Various Voices 2014 and also Hand in Hand, Brighton in 2015.  The same year, I became secretary to the RC Committee and I was one of the new board of trustees when Rainbow Chorus took on charitable status in 2014. When I am not singing with the Rainbows, I teach foreign languages at a secondary school. 

Joelle Leader

I moved to Brighton in 2007 and joined Rainbow Chorus within a year, singing in the Alto section to meet people in my new city. I still can’t read music—beyond knowing when notes go up or down—but my musical ear has grown hugely, and I’ve had the joy of performing with this wonderful group in places like Munich, Amsterdam and across the UK. Rainbow Chorus continually uplifts me; even after long workdays, I always left Monday rehearsals feeling calmer, supported and renewed. It’s also given me an incredible social circle and lifelong friends. My career has been in the charitable sector, including supporting families of children with disabilities, serving as Director of ChildLine at the NSPCC, and later becoming Director of Volunteering at Macmillan Cancer Support, leading 30,000 volunteers who supported people affected by cancer. When I retired in 2023, I wanted to give something back to the choir that had given me so much, and I became a trustee in 2025.

Bev Morgan

I have loved singing with The Rainbow Chorus since 2012 and with RC+ since its start. I’ve made some great friends, met some amazing people and get so much from being part of it; I really wanted to give something back. I worked in social work and safeguarding for over 35 years. During that time, I managed services at frontline and senior level and gained experience of partnership working. I’ve also worked and volunteered in a number of private and voluntary sector organisations. Within these environments, equality and inclusion have always been important to me.  I was on the RC Committee for 6 years, including Chair for 4 years. Over the years, I have been involved with RC production, fundraising, the Pride float, the music library and I love organising our annual camping weekend.  I became a Trustee when the Board was formed and I find that having a direct understanding of the Choir behind-the-scenes, and its challenges, brings value to my role as trustee.