Catherine Cropper (mezzo soprano)

Catherine was born in 1994 and from an early age she developed a passionate interest in music, particularly singing. She had taught herself to sing using books borrowed from her local library and she dreamed of entering the world of musical theatre.

Catherine longed to be able to have formal singing lessons to help her pursue her ambitions. Funding from Future Talent enabled her to begin lessons with a specialist teacher. During her lessons, Catherine has learned how to control her breathing, improve the quality of her voice and overcome her nerves whilst performing. She has also learnt to appreciate many types of vocal music, even those she originally did not like the sound of.

Although Catherine’s ambition is to enter the world of musical theatre, Future Talent gave her the opportunity to visit the Royal Northern College of Music opera department, where she was able to watch rehearsals of the college’s production of Mozart’s La Clemenza di Tito. She also met staff and students there and was able to talk to them about life at music college and the world of opera – something which Catherine had never experienced before.

“This has encouraged me to perhaps think of becoming an opera singer instead.” (Catherine Cropper)

Receiving support from Future Talent has also given Catherine a huge confidence boost and it has enabled her to try out things she would not have tried before. This includes entering Bolton and Bury’s Got Talent, for which she was a finalist, which also led to her securing a place as a finalist in the North West Talent Search. Since receiving support from Future Talent, Catherine has also been hired several times to sing in various events in and around her local area.

Catherine is now involved in many ensembles at Bolton Music Service, including singing in Bolton Youth Choir and Bolton Youth Harmonies. In both choirs Catherine  can now sight-sing the parts, without having been taught them first.

“I deeply enjoy music and greatly desire it to be part of my career when I am older. Thanks to the funding from Future Talent I now believe this is possible. Thank you for all of your help and kindness… Future Talent has allowed me to become a much more skilled and confident performer.” (Catherine Cropper)