Sophia Winton is drawing new fans with her unique and visually stunning music videos that complement the beautiful classical music she performs.
Natasha: Sophia tell us a little bit about how you got started with music did you being by singing or taking violin?
Sophia Winton: It all began with violin aged 3. I was on stage aged 4 when I won my first trophy for violin solo 6 years and under. I haven’t won a lot of trophies since then but thankfully I can confirm that I did not peak at 4 years of age: I have since bettered that accomplishment. And you know, I hope to win more but if not most engraving shops sell them so pas de problem!
Natasha: Do you find ways that both of your instruments complement each other?
Sophia Winton: I wouldn’t say they compliment each other per se but they can sit in the same track without fighting and hurling insults at each other! The track I’m currently completing employs both and it’s nice to have an ear break; nice to mix things up. Though violin is not my main instrument any more, it is for me where it all began and as such pervades all that I do. I learnt compositional craft sitting in orchestras playing glorious music by the likes of geniuses like Elgar; I danced ballet to my formative Suzuki school years’ rhythms.
Natasha: You’ve had some exceptional opera teachers. Tell us a little bit about what you learned from them?
Sophia Winton: This is true. I have been fortunate. But I have also had some rubbish teachers. I tell you, learning to sing well did not come naturally to me. It was like a very difficult puzzle. The best teachers gave me helpful pieces to the bel canto singing puzzle; the worst, wrong pieces to some other puzzle. Maybe to a motorcycle repair puzzle? Cause they sure didn’t fit into my bel canto puzzle. In the end, I completed the final pieces to this complex conundrum myself because when you reach a certain point in your singing apprenticeship you just have to listen to yourself, and trust your instincts.
Music teachers are a funny bunch. You pay them for music lessons and they dole out life advice. These are the things I remember most now. One told me “always be kind to the little people”. Although I see this statement has at its core some kindness, it is also shamefully superior and smug. Last time I checked, we are all created equal and roughly the same size give or take a few feet up, down or sideways. And the other comment I recall was from early on in my teens. She said if you can do anything in life BUT singing- do that. Anything else- just do that. This is someone who asked to teach me and who I paid for singing lessons. So..that’s not really what you want to hear!
I have also learnt from my idols- from Callas, from Sutherland. They taught me from the beyond through their recordings that will forever endure. Callas once said call your voice to you like a horse. Something like that. I get her and I love that. For anyone who doesn’t know horses they can be flighty, skittish, frightened creatures. And I feel what she was saying there, was don’t bully and pound your voice into submission- be patient, be gentle, be kind and call it to you.
Natasha: In addition to singing and playing violin, you also compose. Can you tell us a little bit about the type of music you compose and if you have a particular sound or aesthetic you aspire to?
Sophia Winton: I compose melodic modern classical and classical crossover songs. They are almost entirely for operatic voice which I believe to be a beautiful instrument that is underemployed in contemporary music and which I wish to force upon everyone including spotty teenagers. Especially on them, so that the art form can live on. Everyone should love opera or learn to love it. I’ve put a big fat beat on my forthcoming track so there are no excuses! I think classical crossover artists have a huge responsibility as modern descendants of grand opera to spread the joy, bridge the gap and bring classical style to wider audiences.
My songs differ in style and mood, with lesser and more thumpy beats, but broadly fall into two categories: pretty and sweet or dramatic, angst ridden and downright miserable. I am leaning towards producing a more epic orchestral sound akin to film music, but that’s not to say that some of my songs are more dainty. I enjoy composing classical crossover the most because it is both fun and challenging to have a massive sound palate with both traditional instruments and limitless electronic sample possibilities at your disposal.
Natasha: Your music videos are something that is very unique and sets you apart from other opera singers. You seem to especially love medieval/Renaissance costumes and dance. How did this come about?
Sophia Winton: Thank you very much that’s kind of you to say. Wagner deemed Opera to be the ultimate art form and labelled it Gesamtkunstwerk because it was all singing all dancing and all spectacular! I agreed with him which is why I became a professional opera singer. Each of my music videos represents a mini one aria opera and costumes are a vital and super fun part of my art, as is dance. Costume wise I am loving the rococo era right now. And dance shall be ever present because I was a serious ballet dancer in a “past life” who might have gone pro. My ballet teacher cried when I quit! My swansong was playing the duck in ‘Peter and the Wolf’. One day I hope to even write a whole operetta but first things first- get some of the many songs I have waiting in the wings out!!
Natasha: Do you film/edit your own videos? If so can you share any tips for learners?
Sophia Winton: You’ve just made my video editor very sad..! and to make matters worse I may need to fire him now ha ha. Yes I film the videos myself. I edited my first video but it’s a bother and takes an amateur so long, which means precious time away from my music. So my top tip is hire someone unless you enjoy frustration and a sore head. But apparently don’t hire my guy! (That’s a joke my guy- you know who you are and you are doing a great job!! I stand by you, you’re not fired.. don’t cry!).
Learn more about Sophia Winton on her official website and subscribe to her YouTube channel to be notified of her latest videos.
