Shân Cothi
Shân Cothi recent credits include Carlotta Giudicelli in the stage musical The Phantom of the Opera at London's Her Majesty's Theatre.
Shân Cothi is a native of Ffarmers, Llanwrda, West Wales and a graduate of University College Aberystwyth. In June 1995 she decided to pursue a career as a professional soloist after a successful career as a music teacher in Llanfair Caereinion and Ystalyfera. Success followed swiftly, with Shân winning the coveted Blue Riband Award at the 1995 National Eisteddfod in Colwyn Bay. She has held recitals throughtout England and Wales and has an extensive oratorio repertoire which includes works from J S Bach to 20th Century composers.
Shân has been a regular guest soloist at the National Eisteddfod, and has performed with the BBC Welsh Symphony Orchestra, English Symphony Orchestra, National Chamber Orchestra and National Youth Orchestra of Wales. Her operatic roles include Merry Widow, Marriage of Figaro, Pearl Fishers, Masked Ball, L'Elisir d'Amore and Bartered Bride.
In recent years, Shân's popularity has grown through numerous TV appearance both as guest and presenter, and has become one of Wales' most versitile performers, be it singing on the classical stage, presenting prestigious musical events or interviewing farmers and their stock in agricultural shows!. Her self-titled music series or Channel Four in Wales, which ran for two successful seasons won a well-earned BAFTA award in 1999 and saw the release of her first solo album as a result of the Shân Cothi series. This year she was asked to perform the opening song in the BAFTA awards ceremony at the Cardiff International Arena and entertained the audience with a Jungle version of Queen of the Night!. Shân was recently featured in the popular network drama series Jack of Hearts, and also as a guest soloist in the opening ceremony of Aberglasney Gardens - A Garden Lost In Time which was televised by BBC 1 Wales and recently shown on Network. She continues her popular radio series Cothi's Classics for BBC Wales which is currently being broadcastand is due for her third series in the autumn. Shân is much sought after as a guest soloist on the concert platform and future engagements include a return visit to the Albert Hall where she first performed in 1997 and a TV special entitled Divas for S4C.