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

I was really fortunate to grow up with parents who were both music teachers, so I learnt piano, violin and flute from an early age. I got into singing at around age nine through musical theatre, and discovered that it was very fun singing with others in my local county choir and school chamber choir – both of these mostly performed arrangements from musical theatre or pop songs. But I only really discovered how much I enjoyed choral music when my mum frankly forced me to audition for the RSCM’s Millennium Youth Choir when I was 14. I didn’t think that I’d enjoy singing ‘classical’ church music, but I had no idea what the repertoire was like, and when the first thing we rehearsed on my taster day with the choir was Mathias’s Jesus College Service, I was in for a shock! I had no idea it could be so vibrant, varied, and cheeky, and couldn’t get enough of it from that moment onwards.

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

I grew up in Stratford upon Avon, in Warwickshire. I attended state schools, and particularly during primary school I would not have had access to classical music if it wasn’t for my parents (music teachers and lovers of classical music), and the local county music service, which has now sadly, been disbanded. In secondary school however, my music teachers were both really excellent and taught me so much, in the face of challenges with funding and support that many teachers of the arts working in the state sector have to face.

What has been your most memorable performance so far?

There are so many in different ways! The Advent Procession at York Minster is so special; the cathedral is usually completely packed, and it starts in complete darkness, remaining candlelit for the majority of the service, gradually getting lighter. The lead-up to Christmas has so much gorgeous choral music. Perhaps more memorable personally, was a recital I gave last summer to raise money for the church I grew up attending, in my hometown. I was expecting a few people to show up, but the church ended up being nearly full of people who came to support me and the fundraising, some of whom I hadn’t caught up with in a couple of years. It was really heart-warming to see how many people were willing to make time to support what I was doing, and meant so much to perform for people who have consistently supported me along my journey.

What would your dream performance be?

I don’t really have any particular ‘dream’ pieces or particular ensembles, but I’m always seeking to perform with a group that really pushes me into performing the best I possibly can, and one that encourages a supportive environment of trust and collective intuition when performing. I find that I most enjoy performing with people I know well, so I would love for singing with the same professional group fairly regularly to be a constant in my career.

What are you looking forward to with Genesis Sixteen?

I’m really looking forward to learning as much as I can from Harry and Eamonn, and it will be brilliant to get to know other aspiring young professional singers!

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

I love to read, fiction mostly. I also love studying music (particularly singing and choral music) in an academic capacity. I’m currently finishing my Master’s degree in Musicology, and am going to be presenting some of my research at my first academic conference in September, run by the Cathedral Music Trust.

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

I’m currently finishing my Master’s degree in Musicology, and have been a choral scholar at York Minster for the last two academic years. I am also delighted to be one of VOCES8’s Scholars for the 2024-25 year.

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

I’m very excited to be performing the solos in the Durufle Requiem, alongside the Hertfordshire Chorus in July.