Opera Singer, Presenter

Career:
I was Head of Music at Llanfair Caereinion and Ystalyfera schools. I took early retirement to concentrate on my singing. I’ve presented television programmes, performed with Bryn Terfel and a full orchestra, and learnt a lot about the skill of presenting, scripting and listening when interviewing. I've also done three series of 'Cothi's Classics' for BBC Radio Wales. Singing has always been my first love. The bravest step has been leaving the teaching profession, not knowing how I would make a living. I felt a tremendous sense of relief and freedom to focus on singing and other elements of performance.

Inspiration:
I started lessons at 8 years old with Ray Morgan, my first coach and teacher. Ken and Christine Reynolds were my teachers at Aberystwyth University and when I won the Blue Riband at the Eisteddfod.

Ian Baar, another Welshman, developed my voice and range further, and gave me the confidence to believe I could make a living as a professional.

I’m also inspired by Leslie Garrett and what she has achieved in bringing opera closer to the people.

Big break:
Definitely mastering a whole new body of work, that is the ‘West End’ shows, and getting one of the leads in the classic show ‘Phantom of the Opera’. Singing in the West End production of ‘Phantom of the Opera’ was the stuff that dreams are made of. I was invited to sing as a guest artist at the Faenol Festival with Bryn Terfel.

Highlight:
Winning the Blue Riband at the Abergele National Eisteddfod in 1995 and also, being given my own TV series.

The phone call from Cameron Mackintosh's office saying I'd got the part of Carlotta in ‘Phantom of the Opera’ in the West End was very special.

Singing the duet ‘Anything you can do, I can do better’ with Bryn Terfel and standing between Bryn Terfel and Michael Ball at the Faenol Festival singing ‘You’ll never walk alone’ in front of 10,500 people.

Low:
My heart was in my throat during a performance of 'Phantom' when the backdrop failed to rise at the end of one scene.

I remember doing an encore at one of the 'Cwlwm' concerts (a female harmony group). The concert had gone well, but at the very last stanza of the encore, everyone remembered to change key ‘acapella’ apart from me.The other four started giggling while I continued blissfully unaware!

Other jobs:
I worked at a horse-riding centre during school holidays which I loved. My father and brother are blacksmiths, so looking after horses is in the blood.

Advice:
Don't think that who you know can get you a job. It's never happened to me! I say this because so many people have asked me how I got the role in 'Phantom' and who my contact was!

You need self-discipline in this profession. You must be consistent and pull out all the stops when needed.

Take advice if it makes sense but ignore bad advice.

Be realistic about what you can achieve - there's no point deciding you'd like to sing Wagner, if your voice is better suited to Mozart.There is tremendous competition in the profession, so work hard.

Don't be afraid to break the rules. You need tons of faith to keep you going during periods of uncertainty!

Good luck!