Praised for his ‘Pears-like individuality, musicianship and intense singing’ (Hugh Canning, Operalogue), British tenor Tom Hawkey-Soar currently studies at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire under the guidance of Christopher Turner. He is an alumnus of the National Opera Studio Academy in the 2025/26 season, and recipient of the St Clare Barfield Rosebowl for Operatic Distinction (2025).

Recent operatic highlights include: Tom Rakewell The Rakes Progress (British Youth Opera); Pluton Orphée aux enfers; Albert Albert Herring, hailed as “triumphant” by Opera Magazine; The Lover in Ethyl Smyth’s ‘Fete Galante’ (RBC); Rev Horace Adams (Cover) Peter Grimes (BYO); excerpts of Fernando Cosi fan Tutte and Tamino Die Zauberflöte, both for the National Opera Studio; Idamante Idomeneo, and Leukippos in Strauss’ Daphne.

On the concert platform, Tom has appeared as soloist in works including: Mendelssohn’s Elijah (Brecon Choral Festival); Bach’s St John Passion at Birmingham Symphony Hall (Ex Cathedra); Handel’s Messiah, Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle (Northampton Bach Choir); 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’s work has been featured with companies including: Ex Cathedra, the Grange Festival, Armonico Consort, Birmingham Royal Ballet, the CBSO and British Youth Opera. He is an Ex Cathedra Enhanced Scholar for the 2026/27 season, and a tenor Lay Clerk at Rugby School.

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 is 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 has been fortunate to receive coaching and masterclass experience from artists including Nicky Spence, Sir Thomas Allen, James Gilchrist, Luís Gomes, Amanda Roocroft and John Graham-Hall.

Upcoming engagements include L’Artiste in Berlioz’s Lélio, ou Le retour à la vie; Trouffaldino in Prokofiev’s L'amour des trois oranges, Candide in Bernstein’s Candide (RBC Opera Scenes); and Tenor Soloist in J.S Bach’s St Matthew Passion with Ex Cathedra.

When not singing, he can usually be found in the kitchen, on the squash court, or admiring modernist architecture while attempting to look inconspicuous.