URDD Line-up Joins the 2023 North American Festival of Wales

Ffion Thomas
Ffion is a soprano who is about to commence her final year of undergraduate study under the guidance of Suzanne Murphy at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. She also sings with the John S Davies Singers. Ffion recently played the role of Papagena in Rhosygilwen’s production of the opera The Magic Flute. Ffion is delighted to be a part of this festival and is very grateful to the Urdd for this special opportunity.

Mae Ffion yn soprano sydd ar fin dechrau ei blwyddyn olaf yn astudio llais yng Ngholeg Brenhinol Cerdd a Drama Cymru, o dan arweiniad Suzanne Murphy. Mae’n Canu gyda Chantorion John S Davies, ac yn ddiweddar bu’n chwarae rhan Papagena yng nghynhyrchiad Rhosygilwen o’r opera “Magic Flute.” Mae’n ddiolchgar iawn i’r Urdd am y cyfle i berfformio yn yr ŵyl arbennig yma.


Nansi Rhys Adams
Nansi is 19 years old and is from Cardiff.  She has been competing in the Eisteddfod since a young age and has had success at the Urdd and National Eisteddfod through the years.   In 2022 she won a scholarship at the Urdd Eisteddfod for the most promising performer under 19 after winning both the monologue and the Solo from a Musical.  She was also fortunate to be part of the Urdd Choir that toured to Alabama in partnership with the UAB Gospel Choir.   This year, Nansi was thrilled  to compete and win the solo from a musical under 25 at the Urdd Eisteddfod and she is grateful for all the opportunities the Urdd has given her.   She hopes to pursue a career on the musical stage and as an actress. She is currently studying Drama at Mountview Academy of Theatre in London.
 
Sophie Jones
Sophie is a young farmers daughter from the Brecon Beacons in South Wales. At 20 years old, Sophie is studying Medicine at Cardiff University School of Medicine, and enjoying every moment! But since a very young age the singing has certainly taken her delight. From competing since the age of six on the National Urdd stages, to having the opportunity to sing internationally in Cape Town South Africa, St Petersburg Russia and Alabama USA - the opportunities have been ones to remember. Sophie enjoys all kinds of singing - from Folk Singing to Cerdd Dant and Classical Solos. But at this year's Urdd Eisteddfod in Llandovery the Folk Singing and Cerdd Dant were the competitions that shone as Sophie was lucky to win both competitions under 25. Sophie is really looking forward to entertaining her patients on the hospital wards one day - as music is certainly the best medicine!
Merch ffarm ifanc o Fannau Brycheiniog yn Ne Cymru yw Sophie. Yn 20ain mlwyddyn oed mae Sophie yn astidio Meddygaeth yn yr Ysgol Feddygol yng Nghaerdydd, ac yn mwynhau bob eiliad! Ond ers yn iau mae’r canu yn sicr wedi mynd a’i fryd. O gystadlu ers yn chwech mlwydd oed ar lwyfannau Cenedlaethol yr Urdd, i gael y cyfle i ganu’n fyd eang yn Cape Town South Africa, St Petersburg Rwssia ac Alabama UDA – mae’r cyfleuodd wedi bod yn rhai i’w gofio. Mae Sophie yn mwynhau bob math o ganu – o Alaw Werin i Gerdd Dant ac i Unawdau Clasurol. Ond yn Eisteddfod yr Urdd Llanymddyfri eleni yr Alaw Werin a’r Cerdd Dant aeth a hi wrth i Sophie fod yn ffodus i ennill y ddwy gystadleuaeth o dan 25ain. Mae Sophie yn edrych ymlaen yn arw i ddiddanu ei chleifion ar wardiau’r ysbytai rhywddydd – gan mae cerddoriaeth yn sicr yw’r feddyginiaeth orau!
 
Eiriana Jones-Campbell
Eiriana is a young soprano who will be starting her undergraduate music course at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in the autumn. During Easter 2022, Eiriana travelled to Alabama and Atlanta as part of a newly formed Urdd Choir, where she was fortunate to perform a solo with a gospel choir. She has been competing in the Eisteddfods since a young age and has had success at the Urdd Eisteddfod, The National Eisteddfod and the Cerdd Dant Festival. Last summer she won the Girls Classical solo over 16 and under 18 in The National Eisteddfod. Eiriana is a member of Merched Plastaf choir and in april 2023 she travelled to Rome to sing in the Pantheon and the Basilica of San Vitale. During the trip Eiriana had the opportunity to perform duets and solos. During recent months she’s had the privilege of singing the welcome song for the 2023 cerdd dant festival.
Mae Eiriana yn soprano ifanc a fydd yn cychwyn ar ei chwrs cerddoriaeth israddedig yng Ngholeg Brenhinol Cerdd a Drama yn yr hydref. Yn ystod Pasg 2022, teithiodd Eiriana i Alabama ac Atlanta fel rhan o Gôr yr Urdd oedd newydd ei ffurfio, lle bu’n ffodus i berfformio unawd gyda chôr gospel. Mae wedi bod yn cystadlu yn yr Eisteddfodau ers yn ifanc ac wedi cael llwyddiant yn Eisteddfod yr Urdd, yr Eisteddfod Genedlaethol a’r Ŵyl Gerdd Dant. Yn ystod yr haf llynedd enillodd yr unawd Glasurol i Ferched dros 16 a dan 18 yn yr Eisteddfod Genedlaethol. Mae Eiriana yn aelod y gôr Merched Plastaf a fe teithion nhw i Rhufain i ganu yn y Pantheon ac Eglwys Basilica San Vitale. Yn ystod y trip cafodd Eiriana cyfle i befformio deuawdau ac unawdau. Yn ystod y misoedd diwethaf cafodd Eiriana’r fraint o ganu’r cywydd groeso ar gyfer gŵyl cerdd dant 2023. to edit.