Charlotte Hoather is an opera singer who has created an Alice In Wonderland-inspired production for hard-of-hearing children.
Since the 9th of March, Charlotte has been performing at a collection of 13 schools across Winsford and London, and she is dedicated to making opera accessible to children from all walks of life, including those that are deaf or experience hard of hearing.
Charlotte, who was diagnosed as profoundly deaf in one ear at birth, is an award-winning soprano singer and actress from Winsford, Cheshire. She established her passion for performing arts from the tender age of three. What initially began as a hobby in dance, she grew her skillset when she began singing and acting at age six in Northwich. She then went on to graduate with a First Class Music Degree from The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and The Royal College of Music Master of Music.
Now she is bringing her opera production "Down The Rabbit Hole" to primary schools in Winsford, Surbiton and two deaf specialist schools in London.
The production Down the Rabbit Hole is an immersive chamber opera for children across the hearing spectrum aged 8-10. A deaf soprano, a deaf BSL actor, and her husband, a renowned music compo pianist, will perform this newly commissioned opera, visually brought to life through Physical theatre, British Sign Language (BSL), Sign Supported English and Visual Vernacular.
Charlotte’s drive to encourage and inspire the deaf and hard of hearing stems from her own personal experience. She has documented her extensive career and loss of hearing through a personal blog that has inspirited readers across the country.
Claire Mera-Nelson, the Director of Music and London at the Arts Council of England, said:
“Every child deserves the opportunity to enjoy high-quality musical experiences, and we know this can boost their confidence, support their learning, and encourage self-expression.
Thanks to the money raised by National Lottery players, we’re excited to be supporting the award-winning soprano Charlotte Hoather and her immersive opera project for children. Charlotte will bring a narrative inspired by Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland to life through music, physical theatre, British Sign Language and more – all to make sure that more children, including those who are Deaf or across the hearing spectrum, can experience the joys of opera and let their creativity roam without limits.”
The tour opened on the 9th of March in Winsford, with the finale being on the 29th of March in London. The schools that Charlotte will be attending are:
Over Hall Community School
Over St Johns
St Josephs
Winsford High Street
St Chads CofE
Wharton CofE
Darnhall
Hebden Green
Grange Primary School
and Willow Wood in Winsford.
From there, she will move on to several London schools, including James Wolfe Primary School, Knollmead Primary School and Frank Barnes/King’s Cross Academy.