When and where was your first experience of music / singing?

When I was very little, my mum gave me a bath in which I hummed back the melody of a trumpet concerto she had taken me to earlier in the day. After that, she decided to put me in a Saturday music school in Roehampton where I learnt all about musicianship, had piano lessons and sang in their choir. I later briefly joined my local music service choir before taking part in my first National Youth Choir course aged 11. I still sing with them today as the Bass section leader and owe a lot of my musical development and experience to this amazing organisation.

Where did you grow up? Did you have access to classical music?

I grew up in Barnes, London. It was such a lovely place to live being so near to Kew Gardens and the London Wetland centre where I discovered a love for birdwatching. Although neither of my parents are musicians, they loved taking me to concerts, ballets and theatre. I particularly remember being mesmerised by Yo-Yo Ma in one recital. Whilst driving to and from school, my mum would often put on Radio 3 which I think had a big influence on what I gravitated towards musically.

What has been your most memorable performance so far?

I cherish many concerts and feel grateful have so many wonderful memories, but if I had to pick one, I think it would have to be when I was a backing singer for Queen at the 2025 Last Night of the Proms. A close second was singing Steve Reich’s The Desert Music with the National Youth Voices and the BBC Singers in a Prom earlier in the season. We were conducted by Joe Hisaishi, one of my favourite composers of all time, which was a real pinch me moment.

What would your dream performance be?

My favourite concerts have had a combination of amazing repertoire and fantastic colleagues, so I think it would have to be a choir filled with my best friends performing choral bangers, maybe Tallis’ Spem in Alium providing I have enough friends!

What are you looking forward to with Genesis Sixteen?

I think I am most looking forward to meeting lots of likeminded people at a similar stage of their careers. The transition from student to freelance is quite daunting so it’s nice to know other people who are dealing with the same struggles.

Outside of singing, what do you like to do in your spare time?

When I make the time for myself, I love walking in nature with my partner or reading a good (short) book. I also have a Nintendo Switch which is always a good bit of fun when I have friends around.

Are you still in education? Are you in any other young artists schemes?

I’ve recently graduated from the Royal Northen College of Music and am now dipping my toes into the world of freelance music. I am also very excited to be a scholar with the Diocese of Manchester next year.

Outside of performances with Genesis Sixteen, have you got any concerts coming up?

Lots of things are in the pipeline but I am most excited for Polaris Chamber Choir, which I direct, who will be performing in Manchester in November/December!

Any fun facts about you that you’d like to share?

I am half French and whilst I am very proud of that fact, I’ve always thought that is the least helpful language given how different the pronunciation is when singing! Also, my great-great grandad was George Rouault, a Parisian Fauvist painter who was lifelong friends with Henry Matisse and has set the bar for the most successful family creative very high.

On the other side of the family, I am also distantly related to Edvard Grieg!