National Youth Training Choir of Wales 2013

I joined the Choir for the first time this year.  We spent the best part of a week at Monmouth Girls' School, where, under the baton of Simon Townes, we rehearsed and ultimately performed a varied repertoire of songs, including works by Monteverdi, Rutter, Britten and Lady Gaga.  I had a really good time - met some great people and enjoyed the tuition.  I'm looking forward to next year.

World premiere of "Face in The Mirror"

Blakehay Theatre, Weston-super-Mare 

Well, we had our opening performance on Saturday in the Blakehay Theatre, Weston-super-Mare.  It went very well, and the audience seemed to like it, but then there were lots of parents among them.  I hope that some critics get to review it. We will now take it on tour to Cardiff, Neath and Gloucester.  It was a really nice feeling taking part in a new production, especially written for us, and produced in such a professional way.

BUCKINGHAM PALACE!

Later this week I shall be going along with other members of the WNO Singing Club to Buckingham Palace to sing before several members of the Royal Family.  The event is part of a WNO celebration, and will also be attended by WNO Chorus members, and Bryn Terfel and Katherine Jenkins will also be there.  What an opportunity!  I am so excited – will tell all about it afterwards.

La Boheme - reviews

There have been several reviews of the WNO production of La Boheme - so far all of them good - including 5 stars out of 5 in the Daily Telegraph.  It's really great to be involved in a show which people seem to appreciate.  Did another performance tonight - we can now leave after out "bit", so no more curtain calls, but it means we get home at a reasonable time.

Buskathon for Velindre Hospital

My singing teacher, Carla Maney, has been doing a series of "Buskathons" in Queen St, Cardiff to raise money for Velindre Hospital in Cardiff, which specialises in cancer treatment.  I helped out a bit on Saturday 26 May, when Carla and Mike Newman entertained people as they shopped.  I couldn't make a further session last Sunday because I was doing La Boheme, but Carla plans some more, so I hope to help.  Look out for them - it's all in a good cause.

La Bohéme – opening night

After lots of rehearsal we finally opened at the Wales Millennium Centre last night, to what looked like a full house from what I could see, peering into the bright stage lights.  I think it went well – obviously I could only see my bit, but everyone seemed pleased afterwards, and my parents loved it.  Just 30 more performances to go, the next being the Sunday matinee at the WMC again.

 Me in my "Paris street kid" gear  

WNO’s La Bohéme

We’re almost there – we’ve had lots of rehearsals, our costumes are ready and we’ve rehearsed in them, and we’ve done a “sitzprobe” (German for seated rehearsal with both singers and orchestra).  I’m really looking forward to it now.  It’s a massive tour – 7 performances in June, then a break over summer, and then 24 performances from the beginning of September through to 1 December.  The diary is as follows:

Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff

01/06/2012 19:15

03/06/2012 16:00

06/06/2012 19:15

08/06/2012 19:15

09/06/2012 19:15

14/06/2012 19:15

15/06/2012 19:15

08/09/2012 19:15

15/09/2012 19:15

23/09/2012 16:00

29/09/2012 19:15

29/09/2012 19:15

02/10/2012 19:15

05/10/2012 19:15

Swansea Grand Theatre       

11/10/2012 19:00

13/10/2012 19:00

Venue Cymru, Llandudno      

18/10/2012 19:15

20/10/2012 19:15

New Theatre, Oxford

25/10/2012 19:15

27/10/2012 19:15

The Mayflower, Southampton           

31/10/2012 19:15

02/11/2012 19:15

03/11/2012 19:15

Birmingham Hippodrome      

13/06/2012 19:15

08/11/2012 19:15

10/11/2012 19:15

Liverpool Empire Theatre     

21/11/2012 19:15

23/11/2012 19:15

24/11/2012 19:15

The Bristol Hippodrome        

29/11/2012 19:15

01/12/2012 19:15