Barbara Manning studied at the Royal College of Music where she was awarded the Borwick Prize for piano playing, and gained ARCM and LRAM Performer's and Teacher's Diplomas for piano and violin.

She has accompanied Ware Choral Society since 1974 and enjoys taking part in their concerts, including David Fanshawe's African Sanctus. She also accompanies Ware Operatic Society and the World Festival Choir, and has played for the award winning Lea Valley WI Singers at St John's, Smith Square, the Royal Albert Hall and the Round House, where they were part of a Channel 4 documentary 'Because I Sing'.

Barbara has also guested in concert with the Carillon and QC Chamber Choirs, and for the Camden Choir in performances of Brahms' Liebeslieder Waltzes and Britten's St Nicholas Cantata. Her numerous engagements both at home and abroad extend from accompanying soloists in competitions to playing for choral courses at Benslow Music Trust, Hitchin.

Solo work includes recitals, with appearances at Hertford's 'Soundbites' series and St Alban's Music Club, and performances of the Beethoven and Rachmaninov C minor concertos with the Maltings Sinfonia of Ware.