I was fortunate enough to be able to have singing lesson with Tona de Brett in the mid 80s. She was very well known then, and many of my favourite bands had singing lessons with her, so of course, as a budding singer myself, I had to follow suit. 

She was really lovely, warm, eccentric and a lot of fun. She had a wonderful soprano voice (I think) and always sang very loudly! She also had a different approach from the usual, traditional one; that is why many young people liked her and went to her. I also bought her 'cassettes' of 'vocalise' (do people now know what they are?) for singing practice at home, and they were brilliant actually; I still have them! One Christmas, some of her other pupils and I went Carol singing together in the neighbourhood, and everyone sang beautifully. It was a great credit to her and we really enjoyed ourselves, though we were not sure what the neighbours thought of us.. I learnt a lot from her, and really looked forward to her lessons. I remember her great grand piano in the front living room of her lovely house. Funnily enough, I now live not far from her house, and when I go past her house, I think of those lovely times. 

My deep condolences to her family and friends at this difficult time. I will always remember her as the great, flamboyant teacher and singer she was.