Worcester opera singer Pippa Langhorne discovered talent whilst singing to her mum

Dec 14 2010 by Lorne Jackson, Sunday Mercury

OPERA is one of the most technically demanding forms of singing there is.

It requires talent, training, and tip-top tonsil jiggling.

Most singers start from an early age, with professional teachers on hand, and plenty of encouragement from parents who are passionate about classical music.

But that isn’t how Pippa Langhorne began her career.

The 20-year-old, from Worcester, decided to belt out a tune to cheer-up her mum, after Pippa’s grandad died suddenly.

Her voice bowled her mum over, and now she’s a professional singer.

“A year ago I didn’t sing at all,” says Pippa, who previously worked as a model.

“I never even knew I could sing, I never really bothered with anything like that. But my grandad died suddenly, and my mum was in the kitchen, listening to her favourite songs – the ones that reminded her of grandad.

“I thought how nice it would be if I could try and learn one of those songs, and sing it to her. I wanted to make her laugh, and take her mind of my grandad’s death.”