Former Forres music teacher Rona Valentine-Birnie to release debut album
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A FORMER Forres music teacher is set to release her debut album at the start of November.
Rona Valentine-Birnie (45) – who hit the headlines recently for her life-saving efforts at Hopeman harbour – spent around a year recording the 10-song album titled Rojoe at Unity Recording Studios near Auldearn.
The former Steiner School teacher, whose music is written under the name Elle Valentine, has already released a single from the album, with another to follow in a few weeks time.
Come Out To Play was released at the end of August, with Dream A Dream due to come out in late September.
All songs are acoustic folk pop, but the album does differentiate somewhat – and even features an electric guitar solo.
Ms Valentine-Birnie, who lives in Duffus, said: "Come Out To Play is gentle and kind of love-song sounding, but really it's about friendship.
"Dream A Dream is about loss and losing your health. Again, it sounds like a love song but it's about trying to remember who you are when you are not well. This song also has an electric guitar solo – from Charles Thomson.
"A few songs on the album are similar – and they are all similar in that they are acoustic folk pop – but most are quite unique.
"Some of the songs I wrote when I was a teenager, when I was upset. Standing Rock is inspired by the River Findhorn and supporting nature and wildlife.
"The landscape of the Cairngorms, Moray and particularly the River Findhorn, was my biggest inspiration when writing the album."
Rona, who sings, plays guitar, violin and piano, modestly describes herself as "a bit of a jack of all trades".
On the album she is helped by Joe Harfield, owner of Unity Recording Studios, who played a bit of everything and Charles Thomson, on electric guitar. Guitarist Tom Richardson, of Celtic Connections, will feature on the next album.
Rona added: "I started playing violin when I was seven – Mr Drummond Cook taught me at Forres Academy.
"I've been singing all my life and sang in choirs. I was also in a ceilidh band. Music has been a natural part of my life.
"I taught at Steiner School for two years and was teaching music there when I recorded this album.
"Basically, I have been a closet musician for a few years and have now got round to recording and sharing."
Rona has written two further albums, which she is now hoping to record and release. The second should come in the summer of 2021, with the third to follow reasonably soon after.
You can listen to Come Out To Play on Spotify and iTunes, and check out Rona's website at ellevalentine.hearnow.com .
