The irresistable appeal of Soprano and song-writer Linda Tolchard is in the clarity to her voice that is youthful and refreshing; technically accomplished demonstrating experience and natural musicality; powerful interpretation is inspired across a repertoire of musical styles with professional ease. Linda sings from the heart, connecting effortlessly with the audience, every time. Linda is as comfortable with Opera as with oratorio, traditional pieces or Celtic folk, singing a classical cross-over programme that reaches into every vocal style. Originally from Belfast, Linda grew up in Lancashire where she began singing aged nine. She was classically trained by Dorothy Armitage of the Royal Northern College of Music, who took her under her wing for five years after spotting her obvious talent in a music festival. She went on to win prizes in music festivals all over the north of England as a teenager. She was also a stalwart of her local church choir along with her two brothers and three sisters. Although offered a scholarship to the RNCM at 16, Linda was unable to go. She was able to continue her passion for singing with Dorothy Armitage and acquired the technical foundations that have served her so well ever since.Marriage and three small children put Linda’s singing very firmly on the back burner. She recently resurrected her career delighted to find that her voice was well-preserved and her singing ability had grown and matured. Lacking confidence a little she entered her first Cheltenham Festival in 1994 to get her “finger back on the pulse” and walked away with wins in the Women’s Open Oratorio competition, the Women’s Solo Vocal Competition and the Challenge Shield for overall winner! Confidence restored (!!!) she went on to performing across the region, she recorded “Out of the Blue” and started writing her own songs. Now her three ‘boys’ are grown up and on a two year expedition to Africa, Linda finally has the opportunity to embark on her own adventure as a professional musician. She recently completed her first professional recording “Calling Me Home”, named after her own composition and title track. Linda’s inspirations are her Irish roots, her love of the outdoors and, of course, her children. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.