A professional soprano whose career has taken her from a children's choir in Chester to some of Europe's leading opera companies is launching a new youth choir in Altrincham.
Cally Youdell is establishing Altrincham Youth Choir (AYC) alongside pianist and conductor Simon Passmore, with the aim of giving local children aged seven to 18 the opportunity to discover a love of singing.
The choir will launch in January, but young singers will have the chance to try it out at a special Come & Sing Day in Bowdon on Saturday 5 December.
Cally's own musical journey began when she joined Chester Music Society's junior choir at the age of seven.
She went on to sing at Chester Cathedral before spending two years as a choral scholar at Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin.
After training at the Royal Northern College of Music and the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague, she built an international career performing with organisations including Dutch National Opera, the Dutch Radio Choir, Grange Festival Opera and Brighton Early Music Festival.
She returned to the North West with her family after the birth of her daughter and stepped back from performing.
Now she hopes to give local youngsters the same opportunities that shaped her own career.
"Singing in a choir as a child gave me opportunities I would never otherwise have had," said Cally.
"Every step of my career, from my later work to the travel I've loved, came from being given challenging music to sing when I was young and falling in love with it.
"I want children in Altrincham to have that chance, and discover where it might take them."
Cally is being joined by fellow Royal Northern College of Music alumnus Simon Passmore, who teaches full-time at Chetham's School of Music.
The new choir will be split into two groups – AYC Juniors for children aged seven to 11 and AYC Seniors for those aged 11 to 18.
Members will sing everything from traditional choral music to popular arrangements, while developing their vocal technique, sight-reading and listening skills. Each term will culminate in a concert.
Rehearsals will take place on Thursday evenings at Altrincham United Reformed Church on Cecil Road in Hale, beginning on 7 January 2027.
Before then, children can get a taste of what to expect at a Come & Sing Day at St Mary the Virgin Church in Bowdon on Saturday 5 December.
Running from 10am to 3.30pm, the event will see youngsters learn a choral suite from Disney's Frozen, before performing an informal concert for family and friends.
No previous singing experience is necessary and all voices are welcome. Tickets cost £15, with a 50% discount for siblings.
The choir has also launched a crowdfunding campaign to help cover its initial costs, including sheet music, venue hire, accompanists and a website.
Membership will cost £150 per term, payable in instalments, with free trial rehearsals available.
For more information or to book a place, visit altrinchamyouthchoir.co.uk, email info@altrinchamyouthchoir.co.uk or follow @altrinchamyouthchoir on Instagram.
