Sophie Iliaifar is an American-Iranian mezzo-soprano, who is originally from Saltburn, England. She is a graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music in Vocal Studies and Opera.

She performed in three opera choruses at the RNCM, Le Nozze Di Figaro (2022), Die Fledermaus (2022), The Snow Maiden (2023), and she was in the street chorus of the performance of Bernstein’s Mass at the Bridgewater Hall. She also recorded the Queen’s Coronation Anthems in Ely Cathedral (2018), and Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius in Fairfield Halls (2023) both alongside the Gabrieli Consort and Paul McCreesh. She was previously awarded third prize in the Young Musician of the Year Competition in Huddersfield (2024 and 2025), and first prize in the international division of the George Shirley Competition, which is based in Michigan, USA (2023 and 2024).

Previous engagements include a solo recital in the Bridgewater Hall as part of the Re:Discover Festival (2024), solo recital as part of the Classical Cafe Series in Middlesbrough Town Hall (2025), and portraying the role of Flora in Preston Opera’s La Traviata (2025).

Winnie Su is a young Chinese-Australian pianist, currently undertaking Masters in Piano and Music Education at RNCM with Professors Graham Scott and Kathryn Stott, where she is also a tutor of piano at Junior RNCM.

Her accolades include over 80 prizes in festivals and competitions, including the RNCM Concerto Competition, Beethoven Competition, Williams-Howard song prize and the Sydney Eisteddfod Kawai Piano Scholarship. Winnie has performed in major venues across the UK and Australia, including the Wigmore Hall, The Bridgewater Hall and Chatswood Concourse. She has made soloist appearances with renowned orchestras including The Hallé, Leeds Symphony Orchestra and Willoughby Symphony Orchestra. She is also grateful to be selected as a 2025 Mendelssohn Boise Scholar and joined the Youth Program of the Musician’s Company.

She would like to extend her deepest gratitude to SJM Concerts Bursary and the Margaret Allen Piano Award for their generous support for her studies and career.

Today’s programme will include music by Purcell, Handel, Mascagni, Wolf, Schumann, Brahms, Poulenc, Britten, Harry T Burleigh, Taylor, and Porter.

Concert starts at 2pm.