Entering my second year of study at the University of Leeds, I was confident I’d go on to study voice at one of the London conservatoires and become a singer. Singing was my passion, and for the past years (since joining a cathedral choir at the age of 11), I have spent all my free time singing in choirs and small ensembles, having lessons, preparing for exams, and performing solos here and there.

I never considered studying music at degree level and instead opted for a joint honours English and Italian course, thinking that adding another ​‘operatic’ language to my skillset could only be beneficial. I’d already studied French and some German at school, and I had always loved languages and literature.

It was my second-year Italian tutor at the University of Leeds who suggested that, with my interest in singing, I should apply for a DARE internship at Opera North. I had only recently become aware of the partnership between the University and the Opera, attending a couple of Italian music/​culture events the previous year, but it seemed like a useful way to glean insight into the industry I wanted to be part of and it would look good on my CV of course! Though I had immersed myself in the world of choral music, and singing, I didn’t have much real understanding of the opera or symphonic music worlds. My family had always enjoyed music, but they could offer no advice about how to actually ​‘make it’, and I knew, it was a competitive landscape, with no guarantees. So, I applied for the role.

I began my work at Opera North, assisting the Editor, Stuart Leeks, every Tuesday, with print programmes, free sheets and various other copy and marketing-related tasks. I regularly proofread, compiled texts and translations, researched and wrote biographies, found images and licensing information, and was invited to sit in on meetings with other departments and teams wherever possible. It was a wonderfully supportive environment that offered me a great learning opportunity. Moreover, it opened my eyes to the sheer breadth of skills and professions in the opera world, many of which I’d never previously considered.

This internship lead me directly into my first full-time role after my studies at the Royal Ballet & Opera, Covent Garden – a dream job – in the audiences and media department. Here I gorged myself on opera and ballet, attending every rehearsal and performance I could and was able to build on the skills I learnt at Opera North, as well as gain invaluable knowledge of publishing and design softwares and a greater awareness of the mechanics behind live-performance in a House of that size and reputation. While proofreading yet another artist biography for the website, I came across HarrisonParrott and considered a shift into Artist Management. I’ve now been at the company for over 6 years, working alongside like-minded music lovers and musicians in our varied roles in the company.

I still sing. I sing on major stages, with professional orchestras and soloists in the UK and on tour. And I love it. But singing remains a passion, rather than a job.