CLARE KIRK (soprano) is a British soprano with a strong foundation in choral music-making. Before moving to the United States from the UK in 2001, she was a Choral Exhibitioner with Selwyn College, University of Cambridge, with whom she toured extensively and produced a recording of rarely performed Spanish villancicos. In 1998 she was fortunate to perform in an 8-voice chorus in the world premiere of Thomas L. Read’s Alcyone – a melodrama set to poetry by Franklin Reeve (father of Christopher Reeve), who attended the performance in London. A frequent soloist in classic Anglican repertoire, as well as brand new compositions by choir director Andrew Gant (now Organist, Choirmaster, and Composer at the Chapel Royal), she was awarded the prestigious Edith Ray Vocal Award upon graduation.

In California, Ms. Kirk has been a winner in the Oratorio division of the NATS competition and a finalist in the Carmel Music Society’s Vocal Competition. She has twice been featured as a soloist with the Saratoga Symphony, performing Mozart’s Solemn Vespers and the ethereal “Das Himmlische Leben” in Mahler’s Symphony No. 4. Ms. Kirk has served as a Section Leader and Soloist at several Bay Area churches and as a member of the High Holy Days Choir at Peninsula Temple Beth-El, San Mateo. She is currently Soprano Section Leader at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Burlingame, and Nursery Rhyme Singer-in-Residence to her two small children.