NHS project manager by day is R&B artist at night

An NHS project manager who has sung in choirs since childhood is now recording and performing her own music as an R&B and neo soul artist.

Rosemary Nwodoh, 26, from Chatham, works at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital in Canterbury by day and performs at night, and her work can be found on streaming services under her artist's name Chidimma

She said she started to explore the possibility of recording and performing her own songs while in lockdown during the Covid pandemic.

She also changed her career plans and switched from the final year of a law degree to working in the health sector. She now works for East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust.

Nwodoh, who also works as a voiceover artist, said she "fell out of love with law" and started to look at creative opportunities.

"I had a lot of time on my hands, as many people did, and started to think more seriously about music as a career," she said

She told how she was finishing her law degree during lockdown and already working part-time in the NHS, but added: "I think at that time there was a bit of a universal feeling of more gratitude for life and the time that we have."

She said she started to think about what really brought her joy and what she could to do bring that to other people.

"I've always loved singing and I was part of choirs throughout school, so I started to write music and record it with my brother at home," she said. "From there the passion grew."

Her project management skills have come in useful for her new direction, she revealed, adding: "Although it's very different to music, the skills are useful for the business side when it comes to booking gigs or studios and planning recording sessions."

Nwodoh has performed at venues in London and across the country and has released singles as well as an EP, called Love, Chidimma.

She said writing music and performing were her "favourite things to do".

"For now, I'm happy to do it whenever I can and see what happens," she added.

"I never thought I would have an EP out so who knows what this year will bring?"

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