Belinda Evans

Belinda Evans was born in 1978 in Ash, near Yeovil in Somerset [cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Interview: Belinda Evans |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/somerset/content/articles/2006/08/11/how_do_you_solve_a_problem_like_maria_feature.shtml |work= |publisher=BBC Somerset Sound |date=2006-12-08 |accessdate=2007-02-21 ] and is a soprano singer. She has a BA(Hons) in Music, and also has a postgraduate diploma.cite web |url=http://www.gerardmanleyhopkins.net/about/belinda_evans.html |title=ABOUT: Belinda Evans |accessdate=2007-02-21 |format= |work= |publisher=www.gerardmanleyhopkins.net ]

Evans was one of the ten finalists in the BBC series "How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?", and has made her West End debut as a Swing in Andrew Lloyd Webber's production of "The Phantom of the Opera".

Biography

Evans originally wanted to become a vet, but found her vocation in singing. [cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Belinda Evans |url=http://www.thisistheatre.com/soundofmusic/belinda-evans.html |work= |publisher=thisistheatre.com |date=2007-02-09 |accessdate=2007-02-21 ] She has appeared extensively as a soloist with many Choral Societies across the West country. During her A levels, she began collaborating with composer Sean O'Leary, and the two have worked together ever since . Evans graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA(Hons) Music Degree in 2001, followed by a Vocal Diploma at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama in 2002 [cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Can Graduate Belinda Solve Lloyd-Webber's Problem? |url=http://www.rwcmd.ac.uk/fe_news/news_details.asp?newsid=110 |work= |publisher=Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama |date= |accessdate=2007-02-21 ] . She is presently studying with Judith Sheridan towards an operatic career.

After graduation, Evans became a freelance singer and vocal coach. In 2003 she found fame by singing the national anthem before every England game at the 2003 Rugby Union World Cup in Australia [cite web |url=http://www.seanoleary.co.uk/about.htm |title=ABOUT: Belinda Evans |accessdate=2007-02-21 |format= |work= |publisher=www.seanoleary.co.uk ] Evans made her professional operatic début as Pamina in Opera by Definition's production of "Die Zauberflöte" ("The Magic Flute") in 2004 [cite web |url=http://www.southchilternchoralsociety.org.uk/soloists/page2.html |title=Belinda Evans |accessdate=2007-02-21 |format= |work= |publisher=South Chiltern Choral Society] . Evans was second prize-winner at both the Great Elm Vocal Awards, adjudicated by Dame Joan Sutherland, and the St. John’s Solo Singing Competition, London and also sang at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 50th Programme and at Wembley Arena. Operatic roles include Alison for Minotaur Music Theatre’s production of Holst’s Chamber Opera "The Wandering Scholar", and Fiordiligi for a six month tour in the Skipton Camerata’s production of "Così fan Tutte".

Evans is currently permanent soprano of the Choir of the Guards Chapel, Wellington Barracks. She was also the chosen soloist for two new choral works, "Otter – Lutra Lutra on the Stour" and "Silver Messenger", and appeared in Kenneth Branagh’s film adaptation of "The Magic Flute". Evans and composer Sean O'Leary released a song called "The Woodlark", based on the poems of Gerard Manley Hopkins, to draw attention to the threats facing one of Britain’s most endangered songbirds [cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Soprano releases single to help endangered songbird |url=http://www.bbcmusicmagazine.com/newsread.asp?id=21986 |work= |publisher=BBC Music Magazine |date=2006-07-31 |accessdate=2007-02-21 ] .

"How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?"

In 2006 Evans entered the BBC reality TV programme "How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?", to find an actress to play Maria von Trapp for Andrew Lloyd Webber and David Ian's West End production of the "Sound of Music". She made it down to the final ten, but was voted out in week two after David Ian said that Evans was the best singer but that she was: "a throw-back to the 1940s" — the eventual winner was Connie Fisher.

"The Phantom of the Opera

Belinda successfully enjoyed performing as a swing in the West End production of "The Phantom of the Opera" at Her Majesty's Theatre. [cite web |url=http://beeblog.belindaevans.co.uk/2006/09/26/the-phantom-of-the-opera-is-here/ |title=The Phantom of the Opera is here... |accessdate=2007-02-21 |format= |work= |publisher=] .

Personal life

Evans is currently living in London and has two older sisters and a younger brother, and runs three miles a day to keep fit. [cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Belinda Evans |url=http://www.thisistheatre.com/soundofmusic/belinda-evans.html |work= |publisher=thisistheatre.com |date=2007-02-09 |accessdate=2007-02-21 ]

Notes

References

External links

* [http://www.belindaevans.co.uk/ Her official website]
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/maria/marias/belinda_index.shtml Profile at BBC's "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?"]