Interviews with musicians, composers and conductors
playing works I love by other composers fuels my own desire to compose; and I feel that composing gives me an insight into the creative process that informs my choices when I play music by other composers
My greatest challenge is probably having the ability – and the desire – to embrace wildly different repertoires and styles. The performing arts world loves categories and labels, but I resist being pigeonholed and constantly push the boundaries of what I sing. I am equally comfortable singing cabaret in an intimate music venue, arias in an opera gala, musical theatre on the West End stage, or contemporary music with a sixty- piece orchestra!
Who or what inspired you to pursue a career in music and who or what have been the most important influences on your musical life
I try to keep things as varied as possible (for my own sake). It’s very important to me to present programmes that make sense as a whole, with some kind of logic, and which provide continuity to the listener. I mostly pick works that I feel very strongly about when it comes to performing: there are many works I love that do not love me back!
Know that you are a part of a large mosaic of musicians throughout the world; our collective mission, I believe, is to create gifts of beauty, expressiveness and positive energy to our audiences
The greatest challenge has been – and always will be – to remain true to oneself musically. It is easy to be distracted by the need to make money and the successes of others, so nurturing one’s own musical aspirations needs particular care.
