Jennie Sawdon. I studied singing and piano at the Royal Northern College of Music under the tutelage of Barbara Robotham. Whilst there I won the Elsie Thurston, John Wray and Kate Snape prizes for singing and obtained a BMus (Hons) degree. I was awarded a major scholarship by the Peter Moores Foundation, and the MSM Centenary Scholarship to continue my post-graduate studies at the RNCM. At the same time I was also enjoying other areas of music. I had always been a competent pianist, and enjoyed writing as well as playing and singing in many different styles. Immediately following the RNCM, I worked with both Clonter Opera and with Opera North, but shortly afterwards chose to follow a career as a singer/songwriter.

I now perform at many different venues throughout the country both as a solo artist, accompanying myself on piano, and with various pop, soul and jazz bands - but primarily the Rough Hill Band. We are a 5-piece soul-based cover band who performs all over the country.

Recently I was the main act for the Manchester Tourism awards at the GMEX hosted by Vernon Kay and sang at the Bridgewater Hall with the Royal Marines and the Coronation Street Cast as part of a charity concert in aid of The Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.

On the song writing front, I have recently acquired a small record deal with an independent label, and am now working hard to release an album of my own music!