What will this year bring..?

As the years go on I find it harder to write these blogs. Sometimes I feel as though they are just announcements or updates. I guess that is the point.. but I always feel like I want to show more of who I am or the other parts of my life. Perhaps that is just my journey of making sure my world is balanced with family, friends, faith, music, travel, personal growth, making goals etc. Get out of any potential bubbles. It's all part of it I guess, and if anything, being a singer has always taught me lessons in such concentrated ways. You meet some wonderful people in this industry who have absolute pearls of wisdom but it's always the ones who talk about life and substance whose life lessons stick with me.

To be honest, I think this is probably what makes us artists. Wanting to understand the human experience and express it through emotion and intention. Empathy for our characters that we perform and a curiosity for the lives that are not ours but which we portray on stage.

This blog has been a lovely project alongside my big move to the UK. I started this as part of my promise to the DCA when I received a grant. I said I would keep my Perth circles updated with my journey, and it has now turned into a wonderful platform to keep in touch with people I've met along the way, around the world. It always makes me sit and reflect on what has happened, and remember why I came to the UK in the first place. So glad I have the archive of so many incredible career changing moments.

I can't quite believe it but I am coming up to my TEN year anniversary of being in the UK this August. I think I'll need to prep for a special post for that one.

Anyway.. 2025.

I'd like to start by expressing my gratitude to the Help Musicians Fast Track Fund for supporting my development and recording week in Amsterdam last month. I had the opportunity to go and see some operas at DNO and then spend my afternoons working in the studio at Monet's Tee Hauss in Zaandam with Chelsea Bonogura and Lochlan Brown. We coached Bel Canto repertoire, spoke about career goals, audition plans and finally.. recorded some audition videos! It was an invaluable five days and I left feeling inspired and motivated.

Check them out: www.monettheehuis.com

I would also like to say a personal thank you to Howard Gatiss and the Nicholas Boas Trust for their generous support towards some opportunities and audition trips in 2025.

A non singing related update: I'm doing a skipping challenge this month. I found my old skipping rope and am getting online with an Instagram livestream everyday. 100 skips - but of course I wanted to 'up' the challenge, so I'm adding 100 every Monday. I'm currently in my '300' week. "Why are you doing that?" you might ask... Well it is a fundraising challenge and I'm joining many people around the country, raising money for Cancer Research UK. It's a very important cause. Thank you to everyone who has tuned in so far and donated! We hit our goal!! So now every donation is extra and helps CRUK do their work in the labs.

Coming up this month I'm learning music, leaning into more lyric repertoire and my goals for the year are *cue buzz word* security and to deeply know who I am. I remember being at a summer camp in highschool and someone said "Who are you? Where do you want to be? How do you get there?". It's stayed with my for every aspect of my life really. As an artist... but also as a person, after 10 years living abroad. It's time for some reflection and I guess I should start thinking of a new 2 year, 5 year, 10 year plan! The last one runs out in a few months!

Oh, and I almost forgot!! Upcoming projects this Summer:

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27 May: Jewel of the Strand w Tait Memorial Trust

28 June: Des Knaben Wunderhorn w Bristol Concert Orchestra

July - Sept: Opera Galas w Rogue Opera

7 July: Don Pasquale (Norina) w Diva Opera

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Have a blessed week, everyone!

- D xx