Katherine Jenkins

Katherine Jenkins OBE
Jenkins performing live at Clumber Park in 2011
Background information
Birth name	Katherine Maria Jenkins
Born	(1980-06-29) 29 June 1980 (age 36)
Origin	Neath, Wales
Genres	Classical-crossover, classical, operatic pop
Instruments	Voice (mezzo-soprano)
Years active	1998–present
Labels	Universal, Warner, Decca
Website	KatherineJenkins.co.uk

Katherine Maria Jenkins OBE (born 29 June 1980) is a Welsh lyric mezzo-soprano, singer/songwriter. She is a popular classical-crossover singer who performs across a spectrum of operatic arias, popular songs, musical theatre and hymns.

After winning singing competitions in her youth, Jenkins studied at the Royal Academy of Music, modelled and taught voice. She came to wide public attention in 2003 when she sang at Westminster Cathedral in honour of Pope John Paul II's silver jubilee. Since 2004, she has released numerous albums that have performed well on British and foreign charts. In both 2005 and 2006, her albums received Classic Brit Awards as Album of the Year. She has also been seen widely in concert, including concerts for British troops in Iraq and Afghanistan; she has also sung at sporting events, on television shows and in support of many charities. In Spring 2012, she competed on the US television show Dancing with the Stars, finishing in second place, behind NFL Super Bowl champion Donald Driver.

Jenkins was born in Neath, Wales, where she and her sister Laura were raised by their parents Selwyn John and Susan.

She attended Alderman Davies Church in Wales Primary School in Neath and later Dwr-y-Felin Comprehensive School, received A grades in GCSEs and A Levels and participated in productions such as Calamity Jane and Guys and Dolls. She attended singing lessons with John Hugh Thomas and passed her Grade 8 examinations with distinction in both singing and piano.