When and where was your first experience of music / singing?
My mum used to take me to a local ‘sing and play group’ when I was very little, but my first memory of music is starting piano lessons when I was five. One of my earliest memories of singing was performing Somewhere Over the Rainbow in my junior school performing arts evening aged 10.
Where did you grow up? Did you have access to classical music?
I grew up in North Somerset, and did most of my music making in Bristol. I was very lucky that both of my schools had brilliant performing arts departments which encouraged me to sing in their choirs throughout my school life. Outside of school, I was also very lucky to sing and perform with Blue Spirit Vocals, Bristol Youth Choir, and particularly Bristol Pre-Conservatoire which helped lead me into my current degree at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.
What has been your most memorable performance so far?
It has to be singing in the Royal Variety Show last year at the Albert Hall. We sang the National Anthem with Samantha Barks and the Welsh Guards, and then Tell Me Its Not True from Blood Brothers with Mel C and Ben Forster. In the Blood Brothers, my microphone and earpiece weren’t working, and I had one of the tech team frantically trying to fix it as we were walking onto stage – luckily it then finally clicked ‘on’ just before our entry. I’ve never felt so much relief in my life!
What would your dream performance be?
I would absolutely love to sing Macmillan’s Miserere, or the soprano solo in Esenvald’s Passion and Resurrection – both pieces are INCREDIBLE.
What are you looking forward to with Genesis Sixteen?
I can’t wait to meet everyone and get stuck in with the music we’ll be singing, and to keep improving as an ensemble singer.
Outside of singing, what do you like to do in your spare time?
I’ve recently got back into going to the gym, and newly into running which I’m really enjoying. When I’m in Cardiff during the summer months I try and get to the beach as much as possible, particularly over in the Gower. I’ve also got such a sweet tooth, and I’m loving trying out different cafes and bakeries in Cardiff – my recent favourite’s been a Portuguese bakery near the castle. I’m also an interim member of staff on the National Youth Choir marketing team. I can’t wait to go inter-railing in September – my friend and I are thinking of starting in Italy, going through the Dolomites and up through Austria. The views are going to be fantastic!
I also make a banging Lemon Meringue Pie – with ginger in the crust.
Are you still in education? Are you in any other young artists schemes?
I’m in my third of four years at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama studying Vocal Studies (classical singing). I also sing, and section lead in the National Youth Choir and Chamber Choir. I’m also a bursary student with the BBC National Chorus of Wales and a Choral Scholar at St Martin’s in Roath.