Episode 55 - Monica McGhee

In todays episode Elaine chats to her good friend and Opera Singer Monica McGhee. This episode covers everything from dealing with online abuse and the criticism of female appearance to a good red lippy to fighting cancer - it’s definitely a mixed bag of emotions with plenty of giggles and an interesting insight in to the world of Opera. As always, grab your favourite drink & enjoy! ABOUT MONICA Scottish soprano Monica McGhee is a graduate of the RSAMD (now RCS) and the RCM where she graduated with Distinction from the Masters in Vocal Performance course. She is based in London, where she studies with Marie McLaughlin. Operatic appearances include Frasquita (cover) Scottish Opera, Leila (Les Pecheurs des Perles) Opera Bohemia, Mimi (La Boheme) with Kensington Symphony Orchestra and Opera D’Amore, Giannetta/Adina cover (L’Elisir D’Amore) for Haddo House and Gontran ( Une education manquée) for Pop-up Opera. . As a soloist on the concert platform she has performed in some of the country's greatest venues including The Royal Albert Hall, Birmingham Symphony Hall, Bridgewater Hall, The Barbican, Glasgow City Halls and Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. She has been a competition finalist in the 2016 Susan Chilcott Award and the 2011 and 2014 Les Azuriales Opera Competition. In the last year Monica has sung internationally with The Royal Opera House in Japan and in Sweeney Todd with Bergen Nasjonale Opera. Monica was diagnosed with Thyroid cancer in 2017 and has spent much of the last 3 years repairing the damage done to her neck and voice following her surgery and battle with the disease. She is now in remission and is a proud supporter of Cancer Research, launching the nationwide Stand up to Cancer campaign in October 2019 with a performance of popular arias in Glasgow Central Station. Website: https://monicamcghee.co.uk/ Twitter: @MonicaMcGhee1 Instagram: @monica_mcghee In response to and in support of Black Lives Matter we have collected some Anti-Racism Resources to help you support this important movement and educate yourselves further: https://blacklivesmatter.carrd.co/ https://blacklivesmatter.com/ https://m4bl.org/ https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BRlF2_zhNe86SGgHa6-VlBO-QgirITwCTugSfKie5Fs/mobilebasic https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1x65xLdIUDWMUl4_nkuD-EeP98UuJ2nuknUDsqUm7R9s/edit#gid=1386834576 https://secure.actblue.com/donate/bail_funds_george_floyd https://justiceforbreonna.org/ https://www.gofundme.com/f/i-run-with-maud https://www.anothermag.com/fashion-beauty/12570/black-british-owned-businesses-to-buy-from-now-fashion-beauty-design-lifestyle https://theeverymom.com/black-history-month-books-for-kids/ https://themadmommy.com/black-owned-etsy-shops/ More links and information on our Instagram. A reminder of the Nasty offers & activities with us: - Join our Zoom Coffee Morning every Friday at 11am GMT, email [email protected] - WeAudition offer: For 25% off your monthly subscription quote: NASTY25 - Backstage Offers: Get a free 12 months Actor Subscription: join.backstage.com/persistentnasty-uk-12m-free/ Or if you've got a project to cast, you can Post Castings for free: Apply promo code PERSISTENTANDNASTY at the checkout ---> If you enjoy the work we do and if this podcast gave you a giggle, you can donate the cost of a coffee or car or clubhouse or whatever to help keep us going paypal.me/persistentandnasty Twitter: @PersistentNasty Instagram: @PersistentandNasty Facebook: /PersistentandNasty Persistent and Nasty is produced in association with Edinburgh based live-arts production house Civil Disobedience. Civil Disobedience is committed to creating and supporting queer work and theatre and art that addresses issues of inequality and injustice. You can find out more about the Persistent and Nasty project and all the work that Civil Disobedience do by visiting our website: https://wearecivildisobedience.com/portfolio/persistent-nasty/