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

My first experience of singing was alongside my parents (who are both ordained priests!) in their parish churches in rural Norfolk.
I loved singing and using my voice from infancy, and when my parents realised I could hold a tune (which they discovered as I reportedly sang along to the Queen of the Night’s arias from my high chair!), I became the yearly ‘Once in Royal’ soloist at Christmas services.

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

I grew up in rural Norfolk. I joined my local church choir after having started singing lessons around the age of eight, but it wasn’t until I joined the Norwich Cathedral Girls’ choir that my love of choral music really picked up. At the time, I was attending a local state school which did not offer much of a musical provision. In order to pursue my musical interests further, I moved to another state school in the city which had a larger music department, and I enjoyed being able to undertake GCSE and A-Level music there. It was also fun to have the opportunity to play in school ensembles with the viola and French horn, both of which I picked up there. However, my only access to choral singing was through the Cathedral, and unfortunately I didn’t have much opportunity for solo or small ensemble singing through school.

What has been your most memorable performance so far?

Probably doing step-out solos in Handel’s Messiah at St George’s, Bristol with the Choir of Royal Holloway and the Bristol Ensemble.

What would your dream performance be?

I would love to be a soloist in a huge choral work like Mahler’s 8th- or play the title role in Carmen!

What are you looking forward to with Genesis Sixteen?

I am really looking forward to meeting the other singers and course leaders. I love meeting other singers and musicians as I find there is always so much to talk about! I am also really looking forward to the level of depth which we will go into with all of the music we’re preparing. I’ve heard from friends who have done the course that it exceeds anything else they’ve done before! I’m really looking forward to just having the chance to be pushed and to improve.

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

I love cooking and eating, spending time with my friends and family, watching TV and films. I also volunteer at a Hospice, where I am organising a concert series for patients, their families and staff, and am going to start music therapy volunteering soon.

Are you in any other young artists schemes?

I am currently a choral scholar at Norwich Cathedral.

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

The Cathedral Choir are going to have a very busy schedule coming up this summer with the Organ Reborn! concert series to mark the restoration of the cathedral organ.