Denise Leigh began her career as a brass player and studied at the Royal Northern College of Music, but first came to wider prominence as a winner of the English National Opera / Channel 4 TV programme Operatunity, which won the Prix Italia 2003, and led to an appearance as Gilda in Rigoletto (shared with her co-winner Jane Gilchrist) at the London Coliseum.

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It also won her the coveted role of star soprano for The Battle Proms Picnic Concerts, a role that she still holds today, performing in the gardens of some of the UK’s most celebrated stately homes each summer.

In a career with many highlights, Denise has appeared with Clonter Opera as well as at the BBC Proms in the Park, Belfast Proms in the Park, Friday Night is Music Night and Songs of Praise. She undertook an extensive concert tour, A Night at the Opera, with Jane Gilchrist, Alan Oke and Wyn Pencarreg, and has appeared on Counterpoint and presented In Touch for the BBC.

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As well as her busy theatre schedule in 2012, Denise was invited to sing a new commission by Errollyn Wallen entitled Spirit in Motion during the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games…