Sharon Richards

Sharon graduated from the University of Wales and continued her studies at the University of Keele, Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the National Opera Studio.

During her career as an operatic repetiteur, she had long associations with Glyndebourne, Welsh National Opera and Opera North working with eminent conductors including Sir Bernard Haitink, Sir Charles Mackerras and Carlo Rizzi.

As an accompanist, Sharon has performed with many distinguished artists and has taken part in masterclasses with Dame Janet Baker, Richards Bonynge and Ileana Cotrubas.

As a pianist she has appeared with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and English Northern Sinfonia and was accompanist to the BBC National Chorus of Wales for several years.

Nowadays, Sharon devotes much of her time to coaching the next generation of singers and accompanists at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, where she is also a member of the Keyboard Department staff, leading the Sight-Reading Skills module.

In addition to her work at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, as Head of Piano and Coordinator of Instrumental Teaching at UWC Atlantic College, she enjoys engaging with young musicians from all over the world and is also a member of the examining panel for ABRSM.