Meet our SWMS Alumni

Katey Rylands
Mezzo Soprano

Katey Rylands has recently completed her Master’s degree at the prestigious Royal Academy of Music, where she studied under Giles Underwood and Alex Ashworth, with coaching from Chad Vindin. Her journey at the Academy began in 2017 when she embarked on a four-year BMus degree.

Katey’s passion for music was nurtured early on through her time at South West Music School, where she gained invaluable knowledge and confidence. Her first major achievement came in 2012 at just 12 years old when she performed with the Diamond Choir at St. Paul’s Cathedral for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. This pivotal experience sparked a series of musical accomplishments, including winning the May King Award at the Mid Somerset Festival in 2016.

As a specialist musician at Wells Cathedral School, Katey’s vocal development flourished. Over two years in the sixth form, she worked closely with exceptional musicians and tutors, including Isobel Buchanan. The school provided her with both choral and solo performance opportunities, with one of her most memorable experiences being the chance to perform operatic repertoire at the British Embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine.

In 2017, Katey joined the Philharmonia Chorus, where she worked with esteemed conductors Edward Gardner and Stephen Cleobury. She also had the privilege of singing in a masterclass led by the renowned Irish mezzo-soprano Dame Ann Murray, an experience that deepened her passion for singing and nurtured her love for Baroque opera.

Opera has been a driving force in Katey’s musical journey since childhood, beginning with her role as a child actor in Iford Opera’s production of Handel’s Susanna. Her studies at the Royal Academy have provided opportunities to explore a variety of roles, including Cherubino (Le nozze di Figaro), Orfeo (Orfeo ed Euridice), and Nancy (Albert Herring). She has also performed in the RAO chorus for productions of Tchaikovsky’s Iolanta, Ravel’s L’enfant et les sortilèges, and Massenet’s Chérubin.

Since beginning her postgraduate studies, Katey has continued to expand her professional career. In November 2021, she became a member of the Josephine Baker Trust, recognizing her as an employable oratorio artist for choral societies across the UK. Recently, she performed the title role in Dido and Aeneas with HGO at the Cockpit Theatre in London and will soon take on the role of Tisbe in HGO’s upcoming production of Rossini’s La Cenerentola.

With a deep love for opera and a commitment to excellence, Katey Rylands is an exciting young artist to watch.