Olivia Shotton

Olivia is currently studying Choral Conducting under Patrick Russill at the Royal Academy of Music. As a singer, Olivia studies with Alexander Ashworth, and she performs regularly as a soloist for choral societies, with recent performances including Handel’s ‘Messiah’, Pergolesi’s ‘Magnificat’ and Britten’s ‘Rejoice in the Lamb’. Whilst living in Sheffield (2015-2019), she was a Choral Scholar and then a Lay Clerk at Sheffield Cathedral, and now deputises with many professional London Church choirs. She has performed with artists including The Rolling Stones and Ellie Goulding. Olivia is Conductor of Horsham Chamber Choir, Conducting Scholar with Milton Keynes Chorale, Assistant Musical Director with The Hythe Singers, and works with the London Youth Choirs, in addition to deputising for several choral societies. She has led workshops with The Fourth Choir and Beeston Voices Community Choir, and has been Conductor for residential singing weekends with Bradshaw Hall Primary School. Olivia completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Sheffield, reading music. Whilst at university, Olivia achieved the highest mark in the level 2 Choral Conducting assessment, and as such, was offered directorship of Jessop Voices. During this time, Olivia was the Musical Director of Belper Singer (Derby), Lyrical Songbirds (Nottingham), YorChoir (York), Dronfield Parish Junior Voices, and Assistant Conductor with Neighbourhood Voices (Sheffield). In 2017-2018, she held a Young Conducting Scholarship with Sing for Pleasure, and conducted in the premiere of Thomas Hewitt Jones’ 'Greater Love’, with massed choir and orchestra. Through her ongoing conducting studies at RAM, she has conducted in masterclasses with the BBC Singers, Paul Brough, David Hill, Simon Halsey and Roland Boerger. She has recently taken part as a student assistant with the ENO Baylis Carmen Youth Project, culminating in two performances at the London Coliseum, for which she was the animateur for the young performers.