Welsh lyric spinto soprano, Rachael Hughes, graduated from the Wales International Academy of Voice with a distinction in MA Advanced Vocal Technique and was awarded the Dennis O’Neill Scholarship whilst studying there. She has also been a recent recipient of the Bologna International Opera Academy’s scholarship (2022).

Rachael is an Associate Artist on British Youth Opera’s Serena Fenwick Program for 2026.

Rachael is also an Emerging Artist for Longborough Festival Opera’s 2026 production of Macbeth (Verdi) where she will be singing Apparition. She has previously sung for the Chorus for Longborough Festival Opera in their most recent UK premier of Wahnfried (2025) and additionally in La Boheme (2024).

Operatic roles include Countess Le Nozze di Figaro covering for Mid Wales Opera, Musetta La Bohème for Flat Pack Opera, Mimi La Bohème and the title role of Suor Angelica for North Wales Opera, Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni for Opera Co-Pro. She has also recently covered the title role of Tosca for Flat Pack Music (2026).

Rachael has finalised in competitions such as Welsh Singers Showcase 2020/21 and the Llangollen International Eisteddfod’s Pendine Voice of the Future 2018.  

As a concert soloist, Rachael has performed with Cardiff Philharmonic Orchestra in St David’s Hall, Wrexham Symphony Orchestra as the soloist for Samuel Barber’s Knoxville: Summer of 1915, Shrewsbury Orchestra and New Sinfonia for Opera Galas. She has also appeared as a guest soloist for many choirs including Rhos Male Voice Choir, London Welsh Male Voice Choir, Cantorion Rhos and Sirenian Singers. She has also been involved with Ripon Music Festival.

As an oratorio soloist, Rachael recently sang the soprano solo for Bob Chilcott’s Requiem and Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem with Border Singers. She has been invited back again to sing the soprano solo in Vivaldi’s Gloria and the Magnificat (RV610) and an setting of Beatus Vir (RV598) Additionally she was the soprano solo for Cor Glyndwr in Mozart’s Vespersand Vivaldi’s Gloria. 

Masterclasses she has taken part in include working with Susan Bullock, Amanda Roocroft, Della Jones, Ryland Davies, John Ramster and the infamous Leone Magiera.