News & Views

Member Spotlight: Rachael Hughes - Soprano

AO News, Audition Oracle – Tue 24 Jun 2025 @ 12:11

This week's Member Spotlight features Welsh soprano Rachael Hughes.

 Gold and deep blue background. Soprano Rachael Hughes in a circle in the centre. Rachael has long dark wavy hair




1. How do you describe yourself as an artist?

Passionate, driven and always looking to connect with others.

 

2. What other skills or passions do you have that help shape you as an artist?

I love to teach, I feel I learn more about my craft from teaching than anything else. Children really do put things in perspective and offer inner wisdom you sometimes really need!

 

3. What has been the most memorable and rewarding experience you have had as an artist?

Although I have loved my solo work and always strive for this, I thoroughly adored working with the La Bohème chorus in Longborough. I jumped in last minute and really made beautiful connections and friendships with everyone there. This made the shows even more special.

 

4. What role, company or performing situation would be a dream come true for you as an artist?

In the perfect world: anything Puccini with a beautiful cast and creative team in any Italian House.

 

5. What do you like most about being a creative artist?

I don’t follow the ‘usual’ path. Although not everyone agrees with my career path it’s something purely that I love and I can wholeheartedly never regret a day of work that I do.

 

6. If you could go back in time and give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?

Just follow your dream sooner! I started operatic singing later and only really seriously pursued it on a Masters course. Start sooner! Ignore the rhetoric of how hard it will be.

 

7. Three words that are the pillars you shape your career by:

Lead with love.

 

8. Where can our members support your performances?

I’m in Hertfordshire Opera Gala Competition July 6th, a Summer recital in Tattenhall on the 27th and then my next booking is Christmas with my hometown orchestra Wrexham Symphony Orchestra.

 

Permalink

Member Spotlight: Julia Merino - mezzo-soprano

AO News, Audition Oracle – Thu 12 Jun 2025 @ 17:52

This week we welcome Spanish mezzo-soprano Julia Merino for our Member Spotlight feature.
 
The background is Gold and Blue. Spanish Mezzo soprano Julia Merino is framed in the centre in a circle like a spotlight. Her redrawn hair is in braces and she is resting her chin lightly on her hands

1. How do you describe yourself as an artist?

I am an artist who thrives on bringing stories to life through performance. Whether on stage or in the studio, I aim to create authentic, emotionally engaging experiences that connect with the audience, blending technique with expression and working as a team to deliver something truly meaningful.
 

2. What other skills or passions do you have that help shape you as an artist?

I stay balanced through regular exercise, including yoga, and value being in contact with nature. Reading and exploring other forms of art also inspire my creativity, while spending time with my family and friends is essential to keeping me grounded and connected.
 

3. What has been the most memorable and rewarding experience you have had as an artist?

Developing a character fully through an entire opera production has been the most rewarding experience. It allows me to explore every aspect of the role, deepening my artistry and enabling me to communicate its emotions to the audience.
 

4. What role, company or performing situation would be a dream come true for you as an artist?

A dream come true would be performing the role of Carmen in Carmen by Georges Bizet. Bringing such a passionate, complex character to life on stage would be an incredible artistic achievement and a defining moment in my career.
 

5. What do you like most about being a creative artist?

What I appreciate most about being a creative artist is the opportunity to bring something new into the world. Art has the power to evoke emotions, inspire thought, and create moments that are uniquely meaningful to both the artist and the audience.
 

6. If you could go back in time and give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?

I would tell my younger self to trust the journey and embrace every challenge as part of the process. It’s easy to doubt, but the most meaningful growth comes from stepping out of your comfort zone and staying true to your passion.
 

7. Three words that are the pillars you shape your career by:

Honesty, Passion, Collaboration.
 

8. Do you have any performances coming up that our members could come and support you at?

I will be making my role debut as the Sorceress in Dido and Aeneas on 9th and 13th June, and performing Dido on 11th and 16th June, all in London. Tickets are available here.
 
In July, I’ll be taking part in MUSEG – the Festival of Music of Segovia. I’ve also been selected for the Zarzuela Estudio in the Canary Islands during July. In addition, I have a number of recitals scheduled in both the UK and Spain over the coming months.

Permalink

Frog in Your Throat: When your voice stops playing ball, what next?

AO News, Audition Oracle – Wed 4 Jun 2025 @ 16:44

Frog in Your Throat: When your voice stops playing ball, what next?

Warning sign showing amphibians. Staked in the grass

As someone who no longer has skin—well, vocal cords—in the game, it’s easy for me to talk about this now. But for anyone currently struggling with vocal issues, I know it can be an entirely different story.


During my time as a singer, I had to recover my voice more than once. The third major episode came in 2013. The silver lining? It finally pushed me to set up Audition Oracle—a service I’d wanted myself as a performer and had been considering since 2006.

That year, I developed adult whooping cough—also known as the “100-day cough.” By the end of it, my voice was wild, wobbly, and unreliable, with two notes missing entirely from the middle of my range. I will never forget the stress of trying to find appropriate audition repertoire that avoided those two notes!

Trusting your inner voice

I consulted a well-known vocal specialist—but the experience was both disappointing and expensive. They insisted on examining me with a rigid scope while holding my tongue, which made no sense. My vocal issues occurred on just two specific notes, and there was no way I could phonate normally under those conditions. Their conclusion? “Your cords are fine—it’s all in your mind.”


Not satisfied, I sought a second opinion with a different an ENT specialist with a flexible and collaborative approach. This time, I requested a nasal scope and asked to sing the actual problematic notes so that any issue would present itself in real time. This time, something was visible: there appeared to be a problem with my arytenoid cartilage. Initially, it looked dislocated. The prognosis? Uncertain and unpromising. A stitch might hold it in place—but my vocal function would likely be compromised.

I returned to Nicholas Gibbins again, this time with Jacob Lieberman (affectionately known in the industry as the “Willesden Strangler”) in tow. With a camera up my nose and Jacob manipulating my larynx as I sang, we were able to determine that the problem was muscular. Thankfully, the arytenoid wasn’t dislocated. The intense coughing had caused a muscular imbalance, restricting the natural movement of my voice.

 

Moving forward armed with knowledge

At that point, I knew exactly who to call: Arwel Treharne Morgan. I had worked with this breath and release specialist on and off since 2002. I knew he could help bring my awareness to the issue, release unnecessary tension, and re-establish vocal freedom—until I could maintain it on my own.


Now, I won’t pretend Arwel—or anyone—can fix everything. Ultimately, only you can do that. But he was one of the missing pieces in my puzzle at the time. He might be part of yours, too. Only you can know.

 

Support systems, not solo solutions

Rarely does any one person outside of yourself have all the answers. As singers, we have a wide range of demands—language, diction, stylistics, musicianship, interpretation, mindset, resonance, and vocal technique. All require care and attention. Placing all responsibility on one individual is unrealistic—and unfair to both them and yourself.


Working with Arwel helped me remove the wobble and restore the missing notes. I won’t pretend I addressed every other vocal or performance area at that time, but I regained my voice, and returned to singing at the level I had previously worked.

 

Fluctuations in vocal consistency are normal and more prevalent than you may realise

Losing your voice—when it's both your livelihood and your passion—is deeply distressing. Pretending otherwise is disingenuous to yourself and all the many hours of work you have committed. But when you’re in the thick of it, speaking openly or seeking help can feel risky.


But please know this: confidential, practical, and holistic help is available—both financially and professionally.

 

Support Resources:

BAPAM – British Association for Performing Arts Medicine

Help Musicians UK
Nicholas Gibbins – ENT Specialist
Arwel Treharne Morgan - Holistic approach to reconnecting you with your vocal function
Valentine Voice Care – Kate Valentine has built an incredible practice in Lewes and Scotland. A former high-level singer herself, she truly understands what you're going through.

 

Melanie Lodge sat on a rock surrounded by green foliage and white flowers

 

If you'd like to contact privately about anything I’ve shared here, feel free to email me - [email protected]

Permalink