About Me

Colin commenced his singing instruction with Howard Milner upon completion of his chemistry studies at the University of Birmingham. Whilst at university he conducted and composed for the university chamber choir and also sang occasionally with Ex Cathedra under Jeffrey Skidmore. Since then he has undertaken a variety of roles in opera, operetta and music theatre, including his opera debut as the Emperor (Turandot), Luiz (Gondoliers), Camille (Merry Widow), Alfred (Die Fledermaus), Timothy (Salad Days), Gerald (Me and My Girl), David (Company), Lt. Shaw (The Secret Garden), Guiseppe (La Traviata) and the title role in Candide. He also recently sang the parts of The Governor, Vanderdendur and King Charles Edward in a concert performance of Candide under the direction of Michael England (MD - Jerry Springer the Opera). More recently he has sung the role of Jenik in the Bartered Bride for West Riding Opera, as well as taking the roles of Rodolfo, Pang and Spoletta in an opera scenes concert for the same company.

Off the stage Colin has a passion for English, American and French art songs of the 20th century, particularly those of Benjamin Britten, Ned Rorem and Francis Poulenc. In November 2005 he organised, musically directed and sang in “Lest We Forget” at Nottingham Arts Theatre, an evening of art song, popular song and cabaret on the theme of war. Recent outings in oratorio have seen him singing tenor solo in Handel’s Messiah and “Brockes” Passion, Stainer’s Crucifixion, Gerald Finzi’s “Intimations of Immortality”, Haydn’s Nelson Mass, Mozart’s Mass in C, and Charpentier’s Te Deum.

A regular at the Summer Music International Summer School, Colin has received coaching from, amongst others, Robin Bowman, Eugene Asti, Theresa Goble, Ameral Gunson and Richard Jackson, gaining positive comments about his “warm and expressive lyric voice”. He is looking forward to adding Verdi and pre-Verdi bel canto roles to his repertoire.