In this performance installation, Ruby Colley and EXAUDI sensitively and movingly explore neurodivergence, relationships and communication.

Composer, violinist and sound artist Ruby Colley shares her new vocal work Hello Halo performed with EXAUDI, a leading vocal ensemble for new music. This composition has been developed alongside Ruby’s brother, Paul Colley, who is neurodivergent and has high support needs.

Despite being termed “non-verbal”, Paul uses a rich repertoire of sounds and gestures. This composition transcribes these communication methods, using live voice and recordings of Paul, to make a vocal map of Paul’s life and relationships. It is an intimate examination of communication and asks questions of what it means to be human.  

Developed during a Residency at Britten Pears Arts, Hello Halo is shaped by Ruby’s own (a neurodiverse musician) and her brother’s lived experience, and is aimed at both neurodiverse and neurotypical audiences. 

The show will feature a film by Rod Morris, documenting the process of Hello Halo and giving audiences a view into the world of Paul Colley and his unique collaboration with his sister Ruby.

EXAUDI
Ruby Colley violin, composer
James Weeks conductor