It says you are Cornish-Welsh: where are you from?!
I grew up by the sea in Cornwall, but my family are originally from South Wales. My dad worked for the Fleet Air Arm and was then posted down to Cornwall when I was little. My parents and sister and many friends are still in Cornwall so I look forward to getting back there when I can.
Did you always sing?
No! I played the flute and was very reluctant to join the school choir or sing in public, I was quite shy and very happy just to play the flute until one day my flute teacher had to test my listening skills in preparation for an exam and he stopped and asked me if I knew this and that song and would I sing them, which I did (my grandfather was a jazz pianist so I knew lots of the jazz standards). By the end of the lesson he asked me if I'd like to come to be the lead singer in his school Big Band. I was awarded a scholarship to the school (Truro High School) and part of the condition of this was that I had to receive classical singing lessons (I was 17). I didn't really enjoy these at first- I was very self-conscious and wasn't used to singing on my own and listening to myself. But then I joined the Cornwall Youth Chamber Choir and got to sing beautiful choral pieces and sing in Truro Cathedral. It was through these experiences that I found the joy and passion in classical singing, and also where I met my future husband!
Where has been your most enjoyable or exciting place to perform?
When I used to teach in Sussex I drove past Glyndebourne everyday and used to think "What if", so when I actually performed there, and in such a fantastically exciting show as 'The Fairy Queen', well- it was a dream come true and I don't think one that can be beaten. My other dream place (because of the Billy Holliday and Ella Fitzgerald connection) would be to sing at Carnegie Hall. Maybe I need to drive past that a few times. . !
If you weren't a singer what else would you do?
When I was younger I was very interested in marine biology and nearly studied science at university but enough people twisted my arm in the music direction. That and the fact that I actually got much worse at chemistry in the second year of A levels and managed to spectacularly mess up an experiment meant that my dreams of being a scientist extraordinaire were, quite literally, out of the window! (well what else can you do with a fizzing-about-to-explode test tube??). Years ago I looked into becoming a mechanic- I'm very practical and good at fixing things- but now I just like to drive cars- I think I would happily be a professional racing driver (but that doesn't mean I speed!) I have lots of ideas for books and poems for children and would love to illustrate them to make them come to life, but anyone who has seen me play pictionary knows that it is a big mistake!
When you're not performing what do you enjoy doing?
I have extremely understanding and wonderful friends and family who forgive me all the birthdays I miss and all the other things I am often away for so when I am free I really like to spend time with them. My husband is a medieval historian (and Praelector at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge) so free time is often spent at historic places. We both love the theatre and our local arts cinema. I'm a big fan of poetry and literature and I run a local book club. Since the New Year I've become a 'Befriender' with two local charities (Cam-Sight and Age UK) which involves visiting an elderly or visually impaired person for a chat and perhaps to help out with small things like reading the post.
Where did you study?
I completed my degree at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, studying with Miriam Bowen. I wasn't ready, vocally or financially, to go straight onto a postgraduate course and I had always enjoyed the education aspects of my degree and so took a PGCE in secondary music and taught in schools in Cardiff, Sussex and Cambridge (2002-2007). Whilst I was teaching I studied with Penny Jenkins. I also attended many master-classes, coachings and the summer school at Ardingly (AIMS). I then left teaching in 2007 and started a postgraduate course at the Royal College of Music, London studying with Jennifer Smith who is still my teacher.
You were a school teacher before you pursued singing - how did you make the transition?
I would come home do my planning and marking and then do some practise and some language or song study and would regularly go for coachings or masterclasses and auditions everywhere and anywhere just to keep my experience up. I kept writing to choirs, conductors bugging people for auditions, opportunities and slowly things began to build up. I absolutely loved teaching - such a fantastic, rewarding and challenging career, but singing had started to gain momentum for me and so in 2007 I decided to give it a chance, and started my postgrad studies at the RCM and I have been extremely fortunate to have been working ever since. I do miss teaching but I am beginning to get involved in Outreach projects (with the OAE, Bach Choir, Glyndebourne) and hope these will give me an opportunity to flex my teaching muscles again (please visit my 'Outreach' page).
Who are your singing icons?
Because I got the music bug through jazz my musical icons are Billy Holliday (for her passion, guts and her life-story), Ella Fitzgerald (for the joy and humour she brings to everything she sings and her incredible scat singing) and Judy Garland ( for her gut wrenching performances, as if each were her last). My modern favourites are Diana Damrau and Natalie Dessay. Diana is always my 'go to' person when I'm learning new rep-she always sounds like she's having fun
What is your favourite thing to sing?
Tough question! A slight cop-out but I'd have to say that whatever I'm singing is my favourite thing at that time- be it opera or oratorio or modern, each genre has its own quirks, joys and moments of passion, that's what I try to find in each style I sing in.
What do you do to look after your voice?
Simple things really- rest, water. Regular vocal exercises like Vaccai and Concone to keep my voice supple and just being aware of what's going on ie. if I'm a bit run down I might gargle aspirin or salt-water and if I'm really sick I take Aloe Vera juice. I like to keep it as simple as possible.
If you have a question you would like to ask please email me!
If you have an hour a week or fortnight you think you could spare perhaps you might consider joining a visitng scheme. So many exist- for elderly people, those with visual or hearing loss; mental health issues or young people starting up businesses-the list is endless. Please visit www.do-it.org to see what is available near you.
