Soprano has a technically excellent and emotionally engaging voice

Nia Coleman & Friends head to St Wilfrid’s Church on Saturday, December 20 (7.30pm).

Nia, a 23-year-old soprano from Maresfield, East Sussex, has been awarded a bursary from the Royal Academy Conservatoire, where she has recently embarked on a Master’s programme to broaden and advance her skills in order to pursue her career in classical singing.

Professor Glenville Hargreaves from the Royal Academy of Music said: “Nia’s voice is truly exciting, technically excellent and emotionally engaging: a talent to watch.”

Nia Coleman & Friends is a mixed programme with a Christmas feel of favourite arias from both the operatic and oratorio stage, sacred music, songs from the shows and carols for all to join in.

Three friends are set to join Nia onstage. Nancy Cooley is a pianist who specialises in songs and chamber music. She has played for the BBC and has performed at Wigmore Hall, the South Bank and the Aldeburgh festival, as well as many other venues.

Flora Macdonald is a mezzo-soprano who achieved First Class Honours in her Music degree from Cardiff University. She has played the role of Second Lady in Mozart’s The Magic Flute with Opera Cocktail and she has performed as a choral scholar with the BBC National Chorus of Wales.

Carys Coleman achieved full marks in her Grade 8 Music Theatre exam. She has performed principal roles in theatres across Kent and Sussex, including Puck in Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream.

International tenor Andrew Rees and violinist Andrew Thurgood will also be appearing.

Andrew Rees has performed all over the world, from Sydney Opera House to the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. He has taken lead roles in opera houses in Switzerland, Germany, France and Portugal. He has also performed in concerts across Australia and New Zealand. Most recent and future engagements include Dr. Yes, Anna Nicole at the Royal Opera with Sir Antonio Pappano, a role he created three years ago. He will return to the ROH in the New Year before embarking on a British Tour of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with the Warsaw Philharmonic. In July Andrew will create the role of Theseus in the premiere of Jonathan Dove’s The Monster in the Maze with the London Symphony Orchestra and Sir Simon Rattle.

Violinist Andrew Thurgood’s freelance career includes orchestral work with the London Philharmonic, Philharmonia, BBC Philharmonic and City of London Sinfonia playing in LPO chamber ensembles.

Tickets cost £15. Call the It’s Magic Events Ticket Office on 01444 800045, visit www.itsmagic.org.uk or get tickets in person from Baldwins, South Road, Haywards Heath.

It’s Magic is based at The Priory Business Centre, Haywards Heath. Email [email protected].