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

I think my first real experience of singing would have been when I joined Guildford Cathedral Girls Choir, aged 9. I can remember my first rehearsal vividly; I am not sure if I really sang many notes at all! I was completely in awe of all the older girls and the gorgeous acoustic of the building. I remember singing Monteverdi’s Beatus Vir, and ever since then I have loved singing renaissance and early baroque music!

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

I grew up in Surrey and am very lucky to have been surrounded by music from a very young age. Both my parents are now doctors, but growing up they were keen musicians; both singing in parish churches and playing in orchestras. I was therefore encouraged to play and listen to classical music from a very young age (which I am very grateful for!). I started ballet when I was 3 years old and continued until I was 16, gaining my Grade 7 with distinction – I think this was where my initial love of classical music may have come from; I loved how the graceful ballet steps fit in with the music, as it was a physical way of expressing the music for me.

What has been your most memorable performance so far?

I would definitely say that singing in the Royal Albert Hall last year was a very memorable day. John Rutter very kindly asked me to sing a selection of duets and solos with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra as a part of his Christmas Celebration Concert. I cannot describe how amazing it felt to sing with such a huge, talented orchestra behind me, and in such an iconic venue. I felt so lucky to be sharing the stage with so many incredible musicians and to make it even better it happened to be on my 18th birthday!
Another performance which I will always remember very fondly, was one of the opportunities which arose after my success in the BBC Young Chorister of the Year Competition 2021. I was asked to sing a few solos in a live Radio 4 Broadcast for Ascension Day, along with St Martin’s Voices and the London Mozart Players, in St Martin in the Fields. I was very nervous, as this was my first live solo broadcast, however as soon as I arrived the choir were so lovely and made me feel so comfortable. I will never forget their respect and support; something which I believe is truly fundamental as a musician.

What would your dream performance be?

I absolutely love consort singing. I think the sound produced by a small group of singers is profoundly beautiful. As I previously mentioned, I love early music, and singing renaissance polyphony is so much fun, especially when there is only one to a part. I also really enjoy singing more modern music with close harmonies, particularly music by MacMillan and more recently brand-new music by Lucy Walker. I think performing professionally in a small consort would be so much fun and it is definitely something I am keen to explore in the future. In terms of solo performance, I would love to sing the soprano solos in Handel’s Messiah as this is one of my all-time favourite pieces!

What are you looking forward to with Genesis Sixteen?

Overall, I am beyond excited to meet lots more like-minded musicians, and hopefully make some friends for life! I am really hoping we will be group of people who will sing together lots in the future. I can’t wait to meet everyone on the first course in August and sing together for the first time; I think it will be an amazing feeling! I am also looking forward to the opportunities it will bring as I hope to have a career as a classical singer and I know others who have had this experience have gone on to have very successful careers as musicians having benefitted from the wealth of experience and guidance.

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

Whilst singing is my first love, I also enjoy playing the bass guitar and double bass. I play bass guitar and sing jazz vocals in Surrey County Youth Jazz Orchestra which I absolutely love! Jazz is one of my favourite styles of music to listen to and to play as I love the freedom it allows. When I don’t have anything more important to do, I enjoy crocheting and walking my sausage dogs!

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

I have just finished my A-levels and next I will be taking up my scholarship at the Royal Academy of Music, as a classical soprano. I am not in any other Young Artist Schemes yet, but am hoping to be in some more during my time at the academy.