Summer Sessions: Laura Sharley

Summer Sessions: Laura Sharley

Laura Stephanie Sharley is a classical soprano and recent opera graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music. During her time at the Royal Northern College of Music Laura studied under the guidance of Sandra Dugdale, one of the most sought after coloratura sopranos of her generation.

Originally from Weymouth in Dorset, Laura first gained experience in opera by singing with the Candlelight Opera Company performing Tosca. With the Candlelight Opera Laura toured the UK singing in historic venues, performing with an orchestra and in full period costumes.

Laura has experience performing both as part of a chorus as well as a principal performer. Laura has performed in the production of Handel’s Xerxes, Gilbert and Sullivan’s ‘The Grand Duke’ as the Princess of Monty carol, Francis Poulenc’s Dialogues of the Carmelites as Sister Blanche for the RNCM Opera Scenes, and in Handel’s Orlando, taking on the role as Dorinda.

Since graduating with a Bachelors in Music performance (with honours), Laura has performed nationally as well as internationally singing in concert in places such as Rome and Edinburgh. During the uncertainty of Covid 19 lockdown like many performers Laura began looking to change careers to become a midwife. Now years later Laura has moved back home to Weymouth and is lucky enough to enjoy both careers of performing and teaching music while also pursuing midwifery.