Soraya Mafi - Whalley Range, Manchester

Winner of the National Junior English Song Prize in 2004 at the Royal Academy of Music, Soraya is currently in her final year of undergraduate studies at the Royal Northern College of Music School of Vocal and Opera Studies with an entrance award under the tutorage of Sandra Dugdale.

As well as teaching privately over the past 3 years, Soraya has taught at both Bury and Blackburn Stagecoach, conducted the Holy Cross Choir from 2005-2007 and been musical director for various shows/events including a musical production of ‘Romeo and Juliet’.

During her studies at the RNCM Soraya has played the roles of 'Franzl' in the The Cunning Little Vixen, ‘The Shepherdess’ in L’enfant e les sorteilges, ‘Ida’ in Die Fledermaus and ‘Maria’ in West Side Story. Soraya was a soloist in two performances of Handel's Dixit Dominus with an RNCM Chorus and period orchestra at Houghton Hall in April 2007, was awarded the RNCM Elsie Thurston Prize in July 2007 and was a finalist in the Junior Kathleen Ferrier Awards later that year. In Glasgow, November 2006 Soraya was awarded the National Musical Theatre award by Festival4Stars and regularly performs at their events throughout the UK.

Most notable among her vocal performances: in March 2007 Soraya performed at Old Trafford for a Celebration Match between Manchester United and the European XI and in June 2007 Soraya was again privileged to grace a football ground when she was the first female to perform the National Anthems at the first international game at the New Wembley Stadium. Since these events Soraya has performed another two times at Old Trafford singing ‘We are the champions’ and ‘Barcelona’. Soraya sang at the New Market Races as part of a performance organised by The Ritz Club in conjunction with Classic FM in July 2007 and has performed at various corporate events including the London Press Association dinner (2006,’07 and ’08), the Manchester Red Cross Ball and the M.E.N Theatre Awards (’07 and ’08)

 Testimonials

Current student Alex McQuiston

“I have been studying with Soraya for the past two years. I took up singing lessons as a hobby (I am a cellist and have always felt that my musicality would improve should I learn to sing), not with a view to enter the profession. Since I have studied with Soraya however, I have performed with choirs and ensembles throughout Manchester. I never would have thought I would have gained such confidence in my singing abilities! Soraya is always encouraging and enthusiastic. Her knowledge of the voice and performance is second to none and every lesson is not only enjoyable but extremely informative and coherent.”

 Session Fee: £25 per session in a home studio