| Welsh Classical Singer Natasha Marsh |
| Natasha Marsh biography Classical crossover soprano delighting audiences with selections ranging from arias to classic pop. Brecon born Natasha Marsh was born into a musical family. "My dad is an accomplished pianist and director of music at the European School and my mum a prolific vocal coach," she says. "Our house was never peaceful. "I'd come home from school, my father would be on the piano, my mother would be singing, one of my brothers would be playing bass and the other would be playing his drums. I'd run in from school and hurtle up the stairs to put down a new song I'd just written - my poor mum, she was so calm. Thinking about it, we're still a very noisy family." When Natasha was seven years old she watched The Sound of Music, which had a profound effect on her. "When we were growing up I was such a bossy big sister. I loved putting shows on for my family, I used to dress my brothers up and put them in different parts of the show." That same year Natasha entered the European School, where she studied until the age of 18. "It gave me an incredible background for opera," she says. "It was a language-based school so we were taught Italian, French and German alongside history, geography and so on. "The study was OK, but as soon as the bell went I was off doing drama productions, plays, music lessons and writing music at home." The first concert Natasha went to was The Nolan’s. "I was so impressed by their six-part harmony, so when I got home I recorded all the parts separately and then put them together, hoping I could recreate the concert. I was mesmerized by the music, but I also loved all the frocks and glitter." At 15 she joined the National Youth Theatre. "It was an amazing learning curve for me. Once you pass the audition they treat you like a young professional. From learning about the costumes through to how to project yourself on stage, it was an incredible experience." At 21 she graduated from Birmingham University with a first in music and drama, and won a scholarship to the Royal College of Music. There she began to channel her talent. "I knew my voice had potential, but I hadn't really considered opera at that stage so I was very honored to get a place. "As soon as I started studying the art of singing and performing opera, singing in different languages and learning the process of developing a role, that was it, I was hooked!" She made her debut with Grange Park Opera singing Jacqueline in Fortunio by André Messager. She followed that by singing the role of Governess in Britten's The Turn Of The Screw. "The Governess was a real highlight in my career. I lived and breathed the part." "There's so much beauty and power in opera," she says. "I love every minute of it - from the first day of rehearsals you're exploring details of the character, developing the role in your voice, getting to know your character." Other roles followed, including Donna Elvira on Mozart's Don Giovanni, and the title role in Michael Berkeley's opera Jane Eyre for Music Theatre Wales. She has also appeared in La Boheme, Carmen and The Magic Flute. Having become a highly respected and critically acclaimed soprano within the opera world, Natasha entered a recording studio for the first time after signing to EMI Classics in September 2006. Her debut album Amour was released the following February, entering the UK classical chart at number one. |
| Congratualtions to Natasha who gave birth to her first child Harley William on December 17 , 2009 |