Mezzo-soprano Shelley Cox is originally from New Zealand but lived for many years in Oxfordshire after coming to the UK as a student. A few years ago she moved to the corner of a large building site in Bristol, which is finally taking shape as a community of eco-homes called Water Lilies.

She initially trained as a flautist, but strayed from music for some time, studying philosophy at Oxford, then working as a commissioning editor in academic publishing, a scheduler at Radio 4, an English teacher in rural Tanzania, and a computer programmer. A renewed focus on music came after discovering singing, and the unique possibilities it offers by combining words and music.

She graduated with Distinction from a Postgraduate Diploma in Vocal Studies at Trinity Laban, where she studied with Joan Rodgers. Opera scenes roles while at college included Puck (Oberon, Weber), Tisbe (Cenerentola, Rossini), and Solomon (Solomon, Handel). She particularly loves collaborating with pianists on song repertoire: she won the Lilian Ash French Song competition with pianist Maria Palazian, and performs regularly with Julia Cobby and Suan Lee.

Julia and Shelley also perform as Cabaret Paradis, bringing song to unusual venues.

Recent concert performances as alto soloist include Handel’s Messiah, Duruflé’s Requiem, Haydn’s St Nicholas Mass, and Mozart’s Solemn Vespers. She is also a keen ensemble singer, recently as a Chapel Fund Scholar in the Old Royal Naval College Chapel Choir, which gives around 100 performances a year in services and concerts. She currently sings in occasional services at Holy Trinity Church, Westbury-on-Trym, with the Trinity Singers, and regularly with her local church choir in Shirehampton.

Alongside performing, she teaches singing in North West Bristol, and contributes to a wide range of creative music projects. These include interactive workshops for under-5s, song writing with primary school classes, pre-concert talks, devising projects with teenagers, and singing schemes with older adults.