Sophie Henderson is a soprano, originally from Derbyshire, recently graduated from an undergraduate degree at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, where she studied singing under Catherine Benson.
During her time at conservatoire, Sophie enjoyed roles in the Spring and Summer Operas and Opera Scenes, including Minèrve in Offenbach's Orphée aux Enfers, Griletta in Haydn’s Lo Speziale (2024), Hero in Berlioz’s Béatrice et Bénédict (2025) and, most recently, Little Red Riding Hood in Sondheim's Into the Woods (2026). She has also taken part in community opera projects around the West Midlands, including Noye's Fludde by Benjamin Britten (2024), Hansel and Gretel by Humperdink (2025) and the RBC Opera Scenes Outreach Tour (2025)- all involving primary school children from the Birmingham area.
Sophie’s recent competition successes include first prize in the Edward Brooks English Song Prize (2025) and third place in the Birmingham Festival Choral Society Oratorio Prize (2025).
Headshot by Akta Studios
Ex Cathedra Christmas Music by Candlelight (2025). Photograph by Melissa Brown.
In addition to her studies, Sophie greatly enjoys giving regular recitals at venues such as St Chad's Shrewsbury, Holy Trinity Berwick and St Mary's Stafford, featuring a wide repertoire of art song (with a particular focus on works by lesser known female composers).
An experienced soloist, generously supported by the Josephine Baker Trust, Sophie has performed in oratorios with choral societies including the Buckinghamshire Choral Society, Halesowen Choral Society and the Needwood singers. She also sings with multiple high level ensembles including Ex Cathedra (with whom she is a Graduate Scholar for the 2026-27 season), St Phillip’s Cathedral (where she works as a Soprano Lay Clerk), Genesis Sixteen (for the 2026-27 cohort) and the Charpentier Ensemble.