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

As a toddler I had music group classes through Monkey Music that I am sure had a huge impact on my musical life at that early age, maybe because the company mascot was called Monty the monkey!? The first thing I have a clear memory of though is singing in music lessons at primary school, always trying to be the one that managed the lyrics on the projector to feel like I was in charge!

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

I grew up in North West London and was very fortunate to have access to classical music thanks to being in London and the musical members of my family, mainly my grandmother who took me to the opera and classical concerts. Having started with cello as my main instrument, I played and listened to a lot of classical music which has definitely shaped my musical life to this day. I’m sure I will never not smile if I hear the opening chord of Vaughan Williams’ Tallis Fantasia!

What has been your most memorable performance so far?

I’ve been part of multiple very special performances so far, including concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, St. Martin in the Fields and Symphony Hall in Birmingham. For me, the most memorable is the concert was in the Palau de la Música in Barcelona last summer, singing with Orfeó Català. It is probably the most beautiful concert hall I’ve been in and also marked the end of the incredible year I’d spent there. I also have great memories of playing Anthony in my school’s production of Sweeney Todd.

What would your dream performance be?

Classically, I would absolutely love to sing Vaughan Williams’ Songs of Travel or Berlioz’s Les nuits d’été with an orchestra. But deep down the real dream is to play Elder Price in The Book of Mormon…or if I could just be Michael Bublé with his big band for one show.

What are you looking forward to with Genesis Sixteen?

I’m really excited to be in a group where everyone is at similar stages of their musical journeys, is looking to improve and also be part of what I can already tell is an amazing community. I’ve really enjoyed having the opportunity to sing with choirs of different sizes, but there is something even more rewarding about singing in a smaller group so I am looking forward for that too. I know from some friends who have been part of the programme previously that it is a memorable year, and I can’t wait to get stuck in!

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

As well as singing I play the cello and tenor saxophone and am a big jazz enthusiast. I would give an awful lot to go back in time and watch Michael Brecker play live. I’m also a huge cricket lover and Chelsea fan (which has been pretty tough recently). At university I unfortunately haven’t been able to balance all the music with much sport and would really like to get back into playing cricket sometime soon.

To the annoyance of some of my family and friends I also spend most of my time outside of rehearsals whistling or scatting random songs that are in my head. When I lived at home my mum would know I was awake in the morning when it sounded like there was a really excited bird in the house.

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

This summer I am graduating from the University of Birmingham, having studied Music and Spanish. I am lucky to have been a Student Scholar with Ex Cathedra in my final year which has been very special, singing in their Christmas Candlelight concerts amongst other things.

Next year, I am also going to be a Voces8 Scholar and a lay clerk at New College, Oxford. It’s shaping up to be an incredibly fun year of singing!

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

In a few weeks I am singing with Ex Cathedra in a live in concert version of Amadeus and have some exciting concerts with the CBSO Chorus coming up. I’ve recently given my first solo recital which was an amazing opportunity and finished a week of shows in the University’s production of Footloose, playing Reverend Shaw, which was a real treat. I have a bit of a soft spot for Musical Theatre!