YMF Showcase, 2005
Laurie is a Lancastrian from Appley Bridge, and is currently in her third undergraduate year at the Royal Northern College of Music, studying with Caroline Crawshaw.
In her first year at the RNCM, Laurie was the youngest ever finalist in the Association of English Singers and Speakers English Song Competition which was held at the Royal College of Music, London, and in October 2003 she represented the College at the Kathleen Ferrier Award for Young Singers in Blackburn.
She was also the winner of the John Wray Prize, a competition between the first and second year singers who achieved the highest marks in the end-of-year recitals, and in her second year she won the Doherty Prize for the highest mark in the end-of-year recitals.
Also in her second year, Laurie covered and performed the role of the maid in the RNCM’s production of Charles Dibdin’s opera The Ephesian Matron, which allowed her to work with conductor Peter Holman and director Jack Edwards.
In her third year she reached the RNCM’s Concerto finals, and was awarded a grade B for her performance of Herbert Howell’s song cycle In Green Ways.
During her time at the RNCM Laurie has participated in the choruses of Purcell's Dido and Aeneas, Puccini’s Suor Angelica, and Stravinsky's The Rake's Progress. She has also had the opportunity of working with many visiting tutors, including Maria Cleva, Mary King, Julius Drake, Michael Cox, Anders Ljungar-Chapelon and Hans Jorge Schellenberger.
Last Summer Laurie joined Clonter Opera for their performances of Puccini’s Madame Butterfly, and this year she will cover the role of Pepi and perform the role of Lori in their production of Johann Strauss’ Wiener Blut.
Laurie makes regular appearances on the concert platform. Her repertoire to date includes the requiems of Fauré, Mozart and Rutter, Vaughan Williams' Dona Nobis Pacem, Vivaldi's Gloria and Magnificat, Charpentier's Messe de Minuit, Mozart's Missa in C, and various opera galas. Future engagements include a recital at Lotherton Hall in Leeds.
Laurie Ashworth appears by kind permission of the Principal, RNCM.