About
Rona was born in the 60’s in Sunderland. Having four older sisters, there was never a dull moment. From an early age, Rona displayed a passion for creativity, music and performance. At school Rona was quiet and reserved, but at home she excelled. Her home life was filled with love, creativity and music. Her childhood was blessed in many ways, and although her parents’ finances were stretched to say the least, this had little impact on Rona’s life as everyday was filled with rich experiences. Every member of Rona’s family had creative ability but she wouldn’t fully appreciate or recognise this until adulthood.
By the age of nine, Rona was composing songs, writing lyrics and poems. Her play was nothing short of a fairy tale. Along with her sister, she would put together exciting and original games and performances in her back garden and most of the children in the neighbourhood, would climb up onto the back garden wall for a better view of the events unfolding. If Rona wasn’t composing a song, playing her guitar or singing, she’d be deep in thought. She would step inside of her own imagination creating a world where anything was possible. Rona’s world was colourful and full of opportunities for her to express her inspiration in one way or another. Little did she know then, that her passions would develop into a full time career and she would become an established singer/songwriter, open a performing arts school for Children and become an author of children’s literature.
My Passion
Over the years Rona’s composition’s became popular and she received an award in 1987 for her song ‘Where’s the Sunshine’ in local song writing competition. Rona toured Europe and became a Forces Sweetheart entertaining British Forces. Rona moved to Germany in 1990 where she performed with the Alanbrooke Band on a regular basis. Rona penned many songs over the years and had two Albums produced. In 1993 Rona returned to England and in 1996 she won Best Ballad in an International Song Writing competition for her song ‘Only a Whisper’.
Rona went on to complete a Degree in World Music and Drama Studies, followed by a PGCE. She went on to teach Performing Arts and took Music into a local Prisons. In 1999 Rona began to write Stage Musicals for Children and opened a Performing Arts School. Rona wrote many plays, prose and music for Children and her works were performed in theatres by Children. It was here that Rona recognised her passion for others and used music, song writing and creative writing as a therapy. Rona returned to University in 2002 and achieved an MSc in Social Science and Diploma in Social Work. Rona worked within Social Work for fifteen years but felt restrained in her role. She made a life-changing decision 2017, and Rona returned to her world of creativity as a children’s author.
Rona now lives in the North West of England where she shares her life with her husband and her rescued Bulldog Nala, who is the inspiration behind her recent books ‘Lunar the Courageous Bulldog’.
Rona has three grown up Sons (who all have a passion in creativity) and a step daughter. It’s not unusual for her family to come together on Christmas Eve (which is Rona’s favourite time of the year) and gather in her music room to sing Christmas songs and Carols.