Claire is both a professional opera singer and qualified teacher. She gained a First Class BA Hons Degree in Music & Psychology with a Concurrent Certificate in Education from Keele University, before teaching in a comprehensive school for three years. Claire then undertook four years of postgraduate study at the Royal College of Music in London, graduating with a PD Diploma in Performance and a PG Diploma in Advanced Performance (Opera) – both with distinction. Whilst at the Royal College of Music, Claire won numerous competitions including the Lies Askonas Prize, Ted Moss Lieder Prize and a Madeline Finden Prize, and received awards from the David Lean and Wingate Foundations, and the Leverhulme Trust. Claire is also a Samling Scholar.
For over 25 years, Claire has had a busy and varied performing career as a freelance soprano. She has sung principal roles with opera companies including Welsh National Opera and Glyndebourne, and as a soloist with orchestras including the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and the Berlin Philharmonic, with conductors including Sir Simon Rattle and Vladimir Jurowski and in venues including the Bridgewater Hall, the Royal Festival Hall and Symphony Hall. In 2010 Claire was asked to appear as a guest artist on the music television series ‘Sopranos’. She performed two arias – one alongside ‘Gio Compario’ of Go Compare-fame! Claire has also worked both in a solo capacity and with her own operatic quartet, providing entertainment at corporate events, charity fundraisers, weddings and family celebrations and on numerous world cruises. She has sung in far-flung destinations such as Australasia, India, the Far East, South America and even Antarctica!
During this time, Claire has also maintained her commitment to, and passion for, education. She has run vocal masterclasses for schools and music services, led workshops for opera companies and arts societies (including Glyndebourne Education and Sadler’s Wells), and has also worked as a private singing teacher and vocal coach.
Claire established Glossop Singing Studio in 2009, providing private singing lessons for all. She is driven by a passion to share first-rate musical experiences with everyone. She combines teaching with her own performing career, running her opera company GLOSSOPERA, running her choir (Dark Peak Young Voices) and leading the artistic team of Glossop Music Festival.
For further details about Claire’s work as a professional opera singer, including her professional biography, recordings, photos, etc., please visit www.clairesurman.com.