about
Esther Shea is a soprano from Jersey in the Channel Islands. She has just completed her Master of Music in Vocal Studies and Opera at the Royal Northern College of Music with Mary Plazas, where she was awarded the Dame Eva Turner Award and the Sybil Tutton Opera Award. Her studies this year were also generously supported by the LHR Foundation and the Riga Heesom Award.
Esther is the winner of the RNCM Concerto Competition with her performance of Strauss' Vier letzte Lieder, the Joyce and Michael Kennedy Award for the Singing of Strauss, and the Williams Howard Award, and has twice been a finalist in the Frederic Cox Award. Her roles include The Fox in Janáček’s The Cunning Little Vixen (RNCM), Ninette in Prokofiev’s L’amour des trois oranges (RNCM), Mrs Coyle in Britten’s Owen Wingrave (RNCM), Youka in Chabrier’s L’étoile (RNCM), and Dido in Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas (Bedfordshire Youth Opera). She has also sung the roles of Elisabetta (Maria Stuarda), La Contessa (Le nozze di Figaro), Mimì (La bohème) and Ilia (Idomeneo) in excerpts. She is looking forward to being part of British Youth Opera's production of Stravinsky's The Rake's Progress this summer and to performing the roles of Mimì (La Bohème) and Nella (Gianni Schicchi) with Kleine Opera for their 2026/7 season.
As a concert soloist, Esther’s performances include Brahms Ein deutsches Requiem, Haydn's The Creation and Mozart's C Minor Mass among others. This autumn, she will perform Strauss' Vier letzte Lieder as a guest artist with the RNCM Symphony Orchestra and Nottingham Philharmonic. A passionate recitalist, she was selected to join the prestigious RNCM Songsters, where she has refined her interpretation of song repertoire. She has had the pleasure of singing at the Buxton International Festival as part of the Colour My Song recital series, as well as in recitals across the North West and beyond.
Esther’s musical journey began through lessons with Jane Highfield, who remains a valued mentor and coach, before continuing at Chetham’s School of Music and later the RNCM, where she graduated with First Class Honours. Across opera, concert, and recital work, she is especially drawn to repertoire that is emotionally powerful and intellectually challenging. Esther brings a warmth and dedication to all aspects of her performances.
Please do not reproduce without permission. For the most up to date version to use in programs, please be in touch. CV available upon request.