Kristian Thorkildsen

Born in Hastings, East Sussex, I grew up surrounded by music and performance. I started learning cello from the age of 6 with the East Sussex Music Service and was the leader of the Hastings area youth orchestra cello section. Alongside this, I sang in my local parish choir, St. Peters in Bexhill-on-sea. As a chorister, I had the opportunity to perform at the majority of cathedrals in the UK, including Westminster Abbey, Durham cathedral, Norwich cathedral and more. I was granted a 3 year scholarship at Arundel Cathedral as the resident tenor during my time at university, conducted by Elizabeth Stratford.

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Between 2017-2019, I attended the Royal College of Music in London, as part of the junior vocal department aged 16-18, getting my very first taste of music conservatoire life.

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I studied vocal performance at the University of Chichester Conservatoire, where I developed my vocal technique, through art-song and opera. With Jonathan Veira, Susan Legg, John Hancorn and Will Allenby as my tutors. In Chichester I gave recitals, performed in opera scenes and had roles in baroque opera. Being part of the chamber choir and otter consort involved high quality concerts, including a performance as a soloist in Mozart's Requiem & Karl Orff's Carmina Burana in Chartres, France. During my degree course I led the cello section in both the baroque and symphony orchestra. I was also a member of a string quartet, and a piano trio. Together with the Otter Quartet, we performed professionally in the West Sussex area for various events. I graduated in shortly after my final recital, in May, 2023.​

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In September 2023, I began my MA in Musical Theatre, at the Royal Academy of Music in London where I trained in all three disciplines - Singing, Acting, and Dance. The course, led by musical director Daniel Bowling, provided public masterclasses with Claude-Michel Schonberg, workshops with Imelda Staunton, Andrew Lippa and more. My training concluded with the end of year show, Into the Woods - where I played the role of Cinderella's Prince. After a short year, I graduated in July, 2024.