That was when I realised that music is the most profound, magical form of communication there is.

Nobody inspired me more than Julie Andrews, who is a classically trained soprano herself.

Singing is an arduous business and it needs sacrifices.

One of the problems that we face through the media attention that these artists receive is that there has been an awful lot of talk about opera and classical music being elite and being for an elitist group.

Opera is credible drama now, and it costs less than going to a football match. What have you got to lose?

I also have to support my speaking voice by sitting in a way that engages the diaphragm in the way I would for singing.

My mum used to say to me, 'Spit on yer 'ands and take a fresh 'old.' Keep going even if you have setbacks.