SIMONA HIHAI (22) Soprano - Rumania

Simona studied at the Dinu Lipatti School and the Academy of Music in her native Bucharest. In 1999 she began studying at the Royal College of Music, as a recipient of the highest British scholarship (the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother scholarship). She has fulfilled many engagements in many countries including a Wigmore Hall debut last May, and sang a leading role in the European Opera Centre's Lucio Silla touring the British Isles and Denmark. Recent engagements include a Vivaldi concert at St. Martin in the Fields and Les Illuminations with the Cambridge String Players.

CORA BURGGRAAF (24) Soprano - Netherlands

After Graduating from the Royal Conservatoire at the Hague, Cora is now studying at the Benjamin Britten International School aided by a scholarship from the RCM. She has performed leading roles in Mozart operas with the London Mozart Players and Classical Opera Company amongst others. Engagements include a tour of Japan and an appearance at the Tanglewood Festival with Seiji Ozawa. Future plans include the role of Helena in A Midsummer Night's Dream.

LUCY CROWE (22) Soprano - United Kingdom

Lucy was awarded an entrance scholarship to the RAM, where she is currently in her third undergraduate year. Last year she was a prizewinner in the Young Kathleen Ferrier Bursary Competition. She has performed a number of operatic roles including Juno in Fairy Queen and appeared as soloist in a production of Dido and Aeneas at St. James' Piccadilly. Oratorio appearances have included Mozart's Exsultate, Jubilate and C minor Mass, the St. John Passion and Samson.

CHRISTOPHER DIXON (27) Baritone - United Kingdom

Christopher studies on the Royal Academy Opera course. He has sung Messiah with Sir David Willcocks at the Royal Albert Hall and the title role of Don Giovanni with Sir Colin Davis. Future plans include the Count in Figaro and Mozart's Requiem in the Albert Hall with Willcocks.