| Biography | A member of the Royal College of Music International Opera School, Lancashire-born Soraya commenced her studies at the RCM in 2012, studying with Janis Kelly. Soraya is a Van Der Beughel scholar supported by a Douglas and Hilda Simmons award. Soraya is a recipient of a Help Musicians UK Tutton Award and is supported by the Countess of Munster Musical Trust, Josephine Baker Trust and Selfridges&Co. Competition successes include The RCM Lieder Competition, The National Junior English Song Prize, The Elsie Thurston Prize and a Maureen Lehane Vocal Award. Sorayas operatic roles include Le Feu and Le Rossignol L'Enfant et les Sortilèges (RCMIOS) Soeur Constance Dialogues des Carmélites (Grange Park Opera) Virtú L'Incoronazione Di Poppea (RCMIOS), Peep-Bo The Mikado (The Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company), 2nd Witch Dido and Aeneas (Radio 3) and Maria West Side Story (RNCM). Additionally, Soraya created the role of Cheryl in Iain Burnside's music theatre piece Journeying Boys. Concert highlights include appearing as soloist in Britten's Les Illuminations at the Royal Festival Hall and performing as guest soloist for the Scottish International Cello Festival. Future engagements include performing the title role in the London Handel Festival production of Arianna in Creta and the role of First Niece in Peter Grimes for Grange Park Opera. |