Full Name
Lea Shaw
Job Title
Mezzo Soprano
Speaker Bio
Born in Colorado USA, Lea Shaw is a classically trained Mezzosoprano, collaborative artist, and trauma aware educator based in Glasgow. An acclaimed performer with a 'salted caramel' voice, she has performed on operatic and concert stages across the UK and Europe. She was Emerging, then Associate Artist at Scottish Opera from 2021-2024, where roles included Hermia (A Midsummer Night's Dream) Zerlina (Don Giovanni) Hansel (Hansel and Gretel), Mercedes (Carmen) Flora (La Traviata) and Concepcion (L'Heure Espagnole) among others.
She was also Education Artist in Residence at Scottish Opera 2024-25. She has appeared at English National Opera (Suor Zelatrice, Suor Angelica), the Glasshouse (Sorceress, Dido and Aneas) and Welsh National opera (Blodwen, Blaze of Glory!). As a recitalist, she has performed as part of the London Song Festival, the Northern Aldborough Festival (where she was also the winner of the New Voices Competition in 2023), and the En Blanc et Noir Festival in Lagrasse, FR, as well as universities throughout Scotland and England.
A keen collaborative artist, improviser, and contemporary music specialist she works regularly with composers and artists to create new works, including Renell Shaw, Fergus Hall, Mhairi Killin, Rylan Gleave, Missy Mazzoli, Sonia Killman, Stuart MacRae, Jasmina Cibic, and Sir James MacMillan. Lea is the creator of The Small Magician, a fully accessible, inclusive, trauma-aware vocal education resource maintained in partnership with Scottish Opera. Educated at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and the Alexander Gibson Opera School, Lea is a Samling artist.
She was also Education Artist in Residence at Scottish Opera 2024-25. She has appeared at English National Opera (Suor Zelatrice, Suor Angelica), the Glasshouse (Sorceress, Dido and Aneas) and Welsh National opera (Blodwen, Blaze of Glory!). As a recitalist, she has performed as part of the London Song Festival, the Northern Aldborough Festival (where she was also the winner of the New Voices Competition in 2023), and the En Blanc et Noir Festival in Lagrasse, FR, as well as universities throughout Scotland and England.
A keen collaborative artist, improviser, and contemporary music specialist she works regularly with composers and artists to create new works, including Renell Shaw, Fergus Hall, Mhairi Killin, Rylan Gleave, Missy Mazzoli, Sonia Killman, Stuart MacRae, Jasmina Cibic, and Sir James MacMillan. Lea is the creator of The Small Magician, a fully accessible, inclusive, trauma-aware vocal education resource maintained in partnership with Scottish Opera. Educated at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and the Alexander Gibson Opera School, Lea is a Samling artist.
