BIOGRAPHY

Lora is first and foremost motivated by an utter passion for both classical and contemporary music, and is inspired by some of her most favourite musical artistes: an eclectic mix which includes everything from Rossini to Radiohead; Balfe to Billie Holiday. She is also proactively intent on bringing classical music to a much wider audience: “It’s true to say that lots of people know more opera than they think, that they hear famous arias on adverts and in films, but I think for opera to have any chance of surviving with a younger audience, it’s so important to remember that, just like contemporary songs, operatic arias convey totally universal emotions. The only difference is the way in which they’re presented. Opera is not the untouchable medium most people think it is.”

Lora has been performing all her life, and has been playing piano since she was a tiny, eight-year-old baby. She first sang in chapels, churches and school choirs as a child in her native North Wales, as well as singing as a choir and school soloist in a variety of services, concerts and musicals. Lora began operatic vocal coaching in earnest at the age of fifteen, participating in a range of classical singing masterclasses with international opera singers. She continued her training at the University of Durham, also receiving classical vocal coaching from tutors at the Royal Northern College of Music and, more recently, in situ at Covent Garden, London. She is now coached by the very talented and beautiful, internationally-acclaimed soprano Anne Williams-King.

While at school and university, Lora funded her singing lessons by working in a local garden centre and osteopathic clinic! She feels this also gives her some authority on both seasonal bedding plants and various muscular complaints. Lora moved to London in early 2005, primarily to work in TV, and now, four years later, after being employed as a Runner, Comedy Writer… and even Magician’s Assistant(!), she pursues singing on a full-time basis.

Lora’s newest project is an exciting and unprecedented undertaking, intent on taking opera back to the man on the street. It’s a new, monthly show performed in, of all places, an East End boozer! It is completely informal: audience mingle with performers and the bar remains open throughout. It is, says Lora, “Just about the last place you’d ever expect to hear opera! But why not?! In Handel’s day, for example, opera was performed in crammed opera houses, where the audience packed into standing spaces that more resembled mosh pits! There was no standing on ceremony. If the audience didn’t like what they heard they would boo, heckle, and even throw things at the singers… although I am hoping that doesn’t happen to me!” The night continues her aim of bringing opera and classical music to everyone: from true buffs to people who know nothing of the genre and simply come along wanting to be entertained.

Unlike most classical singers, Lora often accompanies herself in performances: playing piano, keyboard and autoharp, and also working with an array of intriguing musical collaborators. She performs a wide range of repertoire, from well-known opera arias to folk songs and modern music, describing the scope of the material she performs classically as “a real melting pot of styles”.

Lora now performs at a variety of shows and concerts across the country, including corporate and private events, weddings, parties and religious services. In 2008 she wrote a one-woman show for the Edinburgh Music Festival. Entitiled 'A Bite at the Opera', it was a light-hearted look at the genre in all its beauty and absurdity, featuring some of the world's best loved arias.

Lora's performances are exciting affairs, which strive to present operatic and classical music in a fresh, emotionally-driven light. Imaginative and atmospheric shows, amazing vocal feats, beautiful melodies and contemporary twists are just a few of the wonderful things in store for (hopefully appreciative) audiences.