Biography…
Tom Hawkey-Soar is a Birmingham-based Tenor, currently studying for a Master’s in Performance at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire with Christopher Turner. Winner of the St Clare Barfield Rosebowl for Operatic Distinction (2025), he is also a member of the National Opera Studio (NOS) Academy Programme.
Recent operatic roles include: Pluton in Offenbach’s Orphée aux enfers; Albert in Britten’s Albert Herring, a production hailed as “triumphant” by Opera Magazine; The Lover in Ethyl Smyth’s ‘Fete Galante’ (RBC); and Rev Horace Adams (Cover) in Britten’s Peter Grimes (BYO).
Scenes highlights include Fernando (Cosi fan Tutte) and Tamino (Die Zauberflöte) both for the National Opera Studio; Idamante in Mozart’s Idomeneo, and Leukippos in Strauss’ Daphne.
As a soloist, Tom has performed as soloist in major works including: Mendelssohn’s Elijah (Brecon Choral Festival); Bach’s St John Passion at Birmingham Symphony Hall (Ex Cathedra); Handel’s Messiah (Northampton Bach Choir), Haydn’s Nelson Mass, Mozart’s Reqiuem and in the UK premiere of John Luther Adams’ Vespers of the Blessed Earth with the CBSO at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall.
Tom is a Tenor Lay Clerk at St Philip’s Cathedral and Rugby School. He has performed professionally with ensembles including: Ex Cathedra, The Oxford Camerata, The Armonico Consort, Canzonetta Chamber Choir, and the CBSO Chorus in a professional capacity.
He is an Ex Cathedra Enhanced Scholar for the 2026/27 season, having held the same position in the 2025/26 season.
As a Conductor, in the 2025/26 season he conducted a new production of Gian Carlo Menotti’s ‘The Old Maid and the Thief’ at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, which transferred to the Mayfield Festival. He also worked as Assistant Conductor to Harry Sever for Dido and Aeneas (Purcell), and Anthony Kraus for Into the Woods (Sondheim).
Plans for next season include a double bill of Leonard Bernstein’s Trouble in Tahiti and Donizetti’s Rita, and performances of Nico Muhly’s Hymns for Private Use.
Tom began singing at the age of seven as a chorister in Sussex. He studies with Christopher Turner at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, where he studies are kindly supported by Help Musicians as a Sybil Tutton Award holder, The Josephine Baker Trust, the Lamport Hall Trust, and the generosity of Ms A. Dixon.
Tom graduated First Class with a BMus(Hons) in Vocal Performance from Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in 2025. He has been fortunate to receive coaching and masterclass experience from artists including Nicky Spence, Sir Thomas Allen, James Gilchrist, Luís Gomes and John Graham-Hall.
When not singing, he can usually be found in the kitchen, on the squash court, or admiring modernist architecture while attempting to look inconspicuous.
Upcoming engagements include his role debut as Tom Rakewell in Stravinsky’s The Rake’s Progress with British Youth Opera.