Merril Jenkins-Rose

Merril Jenkins graduated from, and became a Fellow of, Trinity College of Music, London, where she won the Ricordi Prize for Opera. On completion of her academic studies in London, she won an Austrian state Scholarship to the Academy of Music in Vienna to further her vocal studies with Ilse Rapf and Eric Werba. She secured her first major operatic engagement at the Schönbrunner Schloss Theater in Vienna, performing Sophie in Signor Bruschino.

Further study and performing experiences followed as a member of the Centre Lyrique at the Grand Theatre, Geneva, under the direction of Herbert Graf and Lotfi Mansouri.

Her French debut was in Die Zauberflöte in Aix-en-Provence. Studies at the Summer School in Sienna under Georgio Favaretto introduced her to the Aria di Camera repertoire.

On returning to the UK, Merril was invited to guest for ENO at the London Coliseum. An accomplished tour of South America followed giving recitals and performing Donna Anna (Don Giovanni) and Mimi (La Boheme). Her vocal career has combined opera, oratorio, and recital performances, appearing with the Philharmonia Orchestra, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, and the London Mozart Players on the South Bank and Royal Albert Hall. In her native Wales, she has frequently broadcast (TV and Radio) with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, and was invited to sing at National Eisteddfodau concerts in Angelsey and Newport.

Merril enjoys coaching young singers privately, and has taught singing, and given master-classes, at the Music Departments of Aberdeen University and Royal Holloway (University of London). She is also a well-established adjudicator at several British vocal competitions.