Tribute to Tona West (née de Brett), 1931 - 2021

I was so sad to hear of the passing of the wonderful, charismatic Tona de Brett. I was blessed to have
met Tona in the 1980’s when I had singing lessons with her, what an absolute delight they were! I
remember with such joy my afternoons next to her beautiful piano in the front room of her Highgate
home, often followed by a cup of tea and quick catch-up afterwards if time allowed. I learnt an
incredible amount from her, while having so much fun, she was the perfect teacher and mentor.
Tona introduced me to the Italian phrase ‘poco a poco’, which also served me well with my children
and stays with me still.

I cannot imagine anyone not being drawn to Tona’s warm heart and vibrant personality. She was a
whirlwind of positive energy, her sense of life always radiated out, it was uplifting just being around
her. For all those of us lucky enough to have known her, then I’m sure we all share that glorious
sense of fortune to have spent time in her company.

Tona possessed that rare gift of making you feel as if you were the most important person in the
world when you were with her. I found her to always be genuinely interested in me and what was
going on in my life and we exchanged Christmas cards and updates on both our lives for many years.
I remember how very proud she was of her sons and their families and how much joy they brought
her.

My sincere condolences to her sons and their families. I will forever hold dear my precious memories
of beautiful Tona.

I met Tona when I wanted singing lessons and a friend recommended her. After a couple of lessons I realised I really preferred playing the piano accompaniments to singing; my voice isn't great and I feel embarassed singing.  But we became and remained friends. I must have told her I was thinking about teaching the piano as when she wanted to stop that part of her teaching practice (she used to teach piano up to a certain level) she asked me if I wanted her students. At that point I was deliberating whether to teach or not but it seemed such a gift, literally a sign from the gods, so I said yes, and within a year my business had grown to 40 students. She would pass on any job or student who was asking for a pianist. We used to go blackberry picking together, and over the years would meet up from time to time, and always she would recommend me to her students wanting accompanists, or to actors needing to learn a bit of piano along with their singing etc. 

I miss her hugely

I participated in singing lessons during the late 80's and early 90's with my then girlfriend Joanna Stevens, Tona was such a force of nature and beautiful person who helped dreamers keep the dream alive. This is the end of an era, my condolences to her family especially Jon who I had the pleasure to record with in two of his recording studios.  

All my love

Jason Tagg

My condolences to the family of Tona West.

Unfortunatly I did not know her.

I seek to contact her sons so as to share a beautiful and precious archival recording of Charles West in the 1967 Melbourne production of Man Of Lamancha.
It would be most meanigful to me to make contact, as that production was splendid and my family have greatl sentimental recollections of it. The recording is of the second half of the performance. It deserves to be preserved in the West family.

If somebody connected to the West brothers or to Charles West can contact me, I would be most grateful.

with condolences and respect

Mark Cherny

markw@cherny.org

Melbourne Australia