Jaymie – Kym McMellon is a UK and Europe based soprano, with a wealth of performance experience in a diverse selection of venues. Most recently, this includes partaking as soloist and duet at ‘The International Green Awards 2012’ and soprano soloist for the world renowned Welsh Male voice choir ‘Morriston Orpheus’.

Born and bred in the West Midlands, Jaymie – Kym started taking lessons lessons with Elizabeth Holland in her teens and to her rather (non-musical) family’s surprise, had a real talent for the subject! Aged 16 she won the Young Person’s Scholarship to Solihull Chandos Choir .

In addition to Chandos, she performed regularly in school in productions and was part of St George’s School Choir, where she performed in venues such as St Chad’s Cathedral and Birmingham Symphony Hall. Whilst completing her A-level studies she also attended Ardingly International Singers Summer School,’ where she had the pleasure of being taught by coaches such as Steven Rickards and Pat MacMahon.

In 2005 her musical studies took her to Kent, where she read music at Canterbury Christ Church University under Professor Grenville Hancox and studied with esteemed former Sadlers Well’s Principal Soprano, Ava June Cooper. She frequently sung in the University choirs performing both as soloist and chorister and performed in many venues around Kent including Canterbury Cathedral, St Mary’s Church in Folkestone, Sandwich Town Hall, in addition to local venues in Ashford, Broadstairs and Dover.

Whilst studying for her degree she also entered competitions such as The Bromsgrove Young Musicians Platform and The Alan Parnell Singers Competition, where in 2009 she was a prizewinner. She was also winner of the Canterbury Arts Council Bursary for young persons in 2007 and was a soloist in the Canterbury Festival.

Jaymie also integrated with the local music community, which included performing as soprano soloist for The Manwood Singers, based in Sandwich, the choir’s soprano soloist and performed a variety of repertoire. Jaymie has also had the pleasure of working with local composers such as Kevin Bull and Robert Duncan Martin and regularly performed local galleries, including Nevilles Art Gallery in Canterbury.

In addition to working with Manwood, Jaymie was also part of a trio with two of her fellow university students – Jennifer Brisk, (mezzo soprano) and Philip Benzinski (piano). They performed across Kent in a range of venues. A few examples of these are in restaurants and hotels in Canterbury such as The Falstaff Hotel and Little Italy Restaurant in Canterbury, as well as venues in Faversham, Ashford and Deal. In addition to paid concerts the trio performed in a range of charity concerts including The Soroptomist Extravaganza in the grounds of Kings School, Canterbury and also at Canterbury Golf Club in aid of Breast Cancer Research UK and Canterbury’s ‘Save The Children,’ Haiti Earthquake Appeal, organised by friend and colleague Jennifer Brisk, where over £2000 was raised.

Whilst completing the final year of her degree, Jaymie also studied at Birkbeck University in London and gained the
Certificate of Education in Performance Studies: Opera.Upon graduating, Jaymie successfully gained a place on the City Lit Opera Course in London, for which she commuted twice a week. Jaymie – Kym has recently completed her studies at Birmingham Conservatoire under the tutelage of esteemed soprano Rita Cullis. Whilst there Jaymie – Kym was also involved both as a principal and chorus member of Midland Oprera. She was also a member of CBSO Chorus under Simon Halsey and Andris Nelsons, and in 2012 embarked on a tour to Germany and Switzerland, performing at prestigious venues such as Beethovenhalle and was part of the Rheingau and Lucerne Festival.

She has also performed as Soprano soloist for local choirs, including Solihull Chandos and Hampton Singers. Upon returning to the Midlands Jaymie has also continued her charity work, performing to raise money for charities that include Cancer Research UK and for the Solihull based charity, SoLo.