Cassandra Wright - Royal Academy of Music - Soprano Opera Singer

2nd year running Awardee. Casandra has been selected as one of very few Bicentenary Scholars at the RAM and will receive extra opportunities as a result. She is performing in the RAM's forthcoming production of The Rake's Progress.

Supporting oneself through studies in London is extremely expensive. Especially at this stage, where singers are also expected to cover the costs of auditions, recordings and travel expenses. It can be very difficult to make ends meet, but having significant support from The Knights of the Round Table means I am able to cover my living expenses and other expensive singing costs. I would struggle significantly without this support so I am incredibly grateful. It means that I am able to feel more at ease about finding work beyond the Royal Academy of Music. Next term, I am performing Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro – another dream of mine! I feel so fortunate to be leaving the programme with roles that will hopefully follow me long into my career. Having the opportunity to perform them in a conservatoire environment means I feel supported and confident to work out what is best for me.

Through RAO, I have also had the opportunity to audition for Glyndebourne Festival Opera and have secured employment for next Summer. This means so much to me and I am so grateful to RAM for helping us throughout this audition process. I am eternally grateful for your support. Your assistance has made my time at the Royal Academy of Music unforgettable and has inspired me to continue to work hard towards my dreams of being an opera singer. I hope that I can make you proud and look forward to many catch ups in the years to come! I will always remember your kindness and how it has made my journey to continue studying at the Academy possible.’