In her teens Claire played classical guitar and wrote songs, poems and stories. Family life, full time work and paying the mortgage then kept her busy! She kept singing as a volunteer at schools and with her own kids whilst studying education part-time. Claire admired her younger brother Paul Gurry's developing musical career (his Silverado song from local Rockabilly band Eldorados era is still her favourite) as well as her step mother, Penny Eames, who is a local jazz singer. Paul, who is now a local DJ at The Boho, has always been her inspiration to follow her own dream of singing and playing music too.

Claire loves many different styles, being attracted overall by the lyrics and songs of individual musicians and bands rather than one particular genre of music. She admires a great many locally based and Australian singer song writers, including Ruby Hunter and Archie Roach, Redhead, The Heather Frahn Trio, Raw Honey, Cal Williams Jr and The Borderers! She has studied Indonesian music and language, lived in Indonesia and played in a gamelan orchestra.

Claire began singing in local blues/ gospel a capella choirs in 2004 as part of a healing process after an accident. She found her old guitar and began writing her own songs again, reconnecting with poetry and her lifelong joy of musical expression! Not long after this she bought herself an acoustic electric guitar. She joined SCALA and entered FOOM for the first time in 2007. Claire won a Star Encouragement Award in 2007 which has certainly inspired her to keep writing! She is currently singing in the women's a capella choir Allegria (sister choir to 'Women with Latitude'). Claire is also helping to raise her three active kids and works part time in education. Singing harmonies and playing guitar are her favourite thing to do!

Second chances and jumping right in are Claire's motivations. The song 'Jump Right in' and encouragement of friend Alex of The Borderers inspired her to follow her heart. Believing that it is never too late to change your life for the better, Claire is emerging as a local musician singer song writer. Since joining Scala she has had some solo and collaborative experience singing at The Joiner's Arms, conferences, fetes, live on Radio Adelaide and open mike nights. She plans to record some songs in a local studio in 2009. Her children, friends and life experiences provide her with plenty of song writing ideas and a great joy of singing and playing music!!

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