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

My first experience of music was being taught how to play the piano and violin by my Dad when I was very young. My first experiences of singing were also with my family, mostly with my grandparents! The first choir I was in was the Belfast Philharmonic Kids Choir when I was in primary school, and then the Belfast Cathedral Girls Choir when I started secondary school.

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

I grew up in Belfast, and I was lucky that my secondary school had a great music department with five or six different choirs, which gave me a lot of access to classical music. I was also fortunate to be a part of the Belfast School of Music, where I could take part in orchestras such as CBYO and UYO, first as a violinist and later as a double-bassist.

What has been your most memorable performance so far?

One of my most memorable performances was a collaboration between the RNCM Chamber Choir and the Clod Ensemble in the Victoria Baths,  Manchester. It was amazing getting to work with the Clod Ensemble to create a really unique and immersive performance. I have always loved the idea of combining different art forms such as classical music, poetry, movement, and electronics, especially in such an interesting and less traditional space.

What are you looking forward to with Genesis Sixteen?

I am particularly looking forward to meeting and working with like-minded individuals who are just as passionate about choral singing as I am! I feel very lucky to have the opportunity to learn from some amazing people such as Harry Christophers, and I am extremely excited to see where the skills I learn on this course will take me.

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

When I am not singing, my favourite thing is to be out in nature! It doesn’t really matter where, but I particularly love exploring places that I haven’t been to before, and as long as I am surrounded by nature then I am happy.

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

I have just completed my undergraduate degree at the RNCM, and am very excited to be taking part in a couple of young artist schemes in the coming year alongside Genesis Sixteen, such as the Voces8 Scholars and the Vox Urbane Next Generation Artists. Additionally, I will be at Buxton International Festival this summer, also appearing as part of their young artist programme.