"A room transfixed by a performance of Copland's Pastorale at Holy Trinity Leeds @leedsmusic by Martha Hayward - quietly brilliant."
- Joe Wilson
Martha graduated with an MMus at the Leeds College of Music and is kindly supported by the Dewar Arts Award and the YLCE. She currently receives vocal coaching from Karen Cargill and has previously studied with Tim Ochala-Greenough, Rachel Gilmore, Rosemary Nairne, and Gillian Jack. Martha has taken part in masterclasses with John Hudson, Donald Maxwell, Deborah York and Jeremey Huw Williams.
Martha enjoys singing as an oratorio soloist, concert soloist, wedding singer, chorister and has performed as Patience (Patience), Phyllis (Iolanthe) and Yum-Yum (Mikado) with the University of Aberdeen Gilbert and Sullivan Society.
Recent solo engagements have included Rutter's Requiem, St Luke Passion, Handel's Messiah, Poulenc's Gloria, Dvorak's Stabat Mater, Vivaldi's Gloria, Mozart's Missa Solemnis, Pergolesi’s Salve Regina and Rutter’s Magnificat, and Rutter’s Requiem.
She regularly sings with the Bradford Cathedral Consort, and was part of the innovative vocal ensemble, Albion, with whom she has recorded solo tracks on their CD's, "These Islands" and "In Cloudless Sunshine". She has collaborated live on BBC Radio One with Clean Bandit and the BBC Philharmonic and sang solo for HRH Prince Charles in Holyrood Palace with the Edinburgh Festival Chorus.
She works regularly with Matthew Lazenby creating unique performances and recitals around the country, including their specialist Victorian Christmas concerts and Wartime concerts.
Martha enjoys sharing her passion and knowledge of singing with the next generation and teaches pupils from all over Yorkshire.
She is currently teaching at Hill House School (Auckley) and privately, at home in Barnsley.
Previous students have gained distinctions in ABRSM and LCM exams and are currently studying towards musical theatre, classical and pop vocal examinations as well as advanced diplomas.
For more information please fill out the form on the contact page.
Martha also trained as a Workshop Leader with Music in the Round. Under the guidance of Polly Ives and Vanessa Johnson, Martha learned vital skills necessary to hold successful music workshops for children aged 3-5. This training was part of the Soundplay project in partnership with ESCAL (Every Sheffield Child Articulate and Literate) and Sheffield Music Hub and was funded by Youth Music.
Photo credit: Kris Branigan
"I would never have thought of having a singer at my wedding, but having heard Martha sing several years earlier, when organising my own wedding, I thought it would be a really nice touch during the signing of the register. Right from the start, Martha was both enthusiastic and accommodating. Our church organist described her as a delight to work with and our guests loved her. The church organist subsequently took Martha's details with the view to recommending her to future brides and grooms. She certainly made our ceremony that bit more special."
- G. Hutton
"A very great pleasure recording here [Bradford Cathedral] this evening with the lovely Martha Hayward, whose voice is comparably angelic with the angels themselves"
- Fraser Wilson
"I had the privilege of attending a lunchtime concert on the day by Ms. Martha Hayward...the musical content was absolutely superb."
- D. Bradey