Anna has just graduated from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, where she studied with Welsh soprano Gail Pearson, and abroad at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki with Päivi Kantola.

Anna has enjoyed being a part of many operatic productions including Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Peaseblossom, David Seligman Opera School, 2024); Respighi’s La Bella Dormente nel Bosco (Chorus, David Seligman Opera School, 2024) and Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte (Chorus, Sibelius Academy Opera, 2022). In November 2022, she was cast as the soprano soloist for Bach’s Weihnachtsoratorium in Sipoo Kirkku, working with conductor Eric-Olof Söderström and the Finnish Baroque Orchestra. In the choral world, Anna is an alumna of the Genesis Sixteen programme (2023-24), and the South African choir True Voices (2018-2020).

Tell us about your background in music.

I am very lucky that my life has always involved music! My mom taught me singing while I was growing up and I started piano and violin lessons when I was 4 years old. Singing in choirs throughout my time at school enabled me to develop a passion for group singing, as I felt confident amongst others that shared the same love for singing as I did. Being in musical theatre productions growing up also encouraged my passion for performance! I went on to study at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama which further encouraged my enjoyment on the stage. Exploring meaning behind texts and communication through song was my favourite part of the degree, and I hope to capture this as I move into being a young professional.

What are you most looking forward to about singing with Tenebrae?

I am very excited to be part of a group that aims for such high standards of polished performance. I also look forward to working in the learning and connecting program which sparks children’s confidence and creativity through music.

Which Tenebrae concert(s) have you particularly enjoyed so far?

The tour to France, where we performed Talbot’s Path of Miracles in Besançon, is something which I was very much looking forward to! I am new to Talbot’s work, and this piece is just incredible. It was so exciting to perform it in such a beautiful place too.

What is your favourite piece of music to sing and why?

My favourite piece of music to sing is Holst’s Nunc Dimitis, as I get goosebumps on the second page every time!

Can you tell us about the most memorable concert you ever performed in?

In 2022, I participated in a study abroad program where I studied at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki for 4 months. In December, I performed Weihnachtsoratorium in Sipoo Church with the Finnish Baroque Orchestra which was very exciting. The cold Christmas evening made the atmosphere of the concert very cozy and welcoming which was lovely. It was a time where I was learning to overcome some performance anxiety, and it was one of the first performances where I was not terrified and which I fully enjoyed. The audience was engaged, and I particularly enjoyed the duet Herr, dein Mitleid with the wonderful bass, Paulus Hartikainen.

It’s such a busy season with lots of touring and visiting new places. Do you have any travel hacks for those early-morning flights? or a pre-concert routine?

I have not been on any tours yet, but I hope I will be able to pack lightly and remember to bring lots of tea bags! I usually try to get as much sleep as possible the night before and minimise any stress or tensions during the day. I like to visualise the concert environment in a positive light to ensure my mindset remains optimistic. It also always helps me to eat a good meal beforehand!