Craig Yates

My name is Craig, I was born in Birmingham and started singing at a really early age; my parents say this was even before I could speak! I sang a lot as a treble and became Choirboy of the Year in 1993. At school, I played Euphonium in a Brass Band and Percussion in an Orchestra. 

I came to Cardiff to study Singing at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. I got a BA in Music and a Post Graduate Diploma in Singing. In 2003, I was invited to go and study in St. Petersburg in Russia. I think I still am the only British person to be offered such a place.

I joined Only Men Aloud over ten years ago when I met Tim when I joined Welsh National Youth Opera. I played many roles with them, the highlight being the part of Sweeney Todd, which we performed as part of the Cardiff International Festival of Music Theatre. In 2003, I was the first winner of the Welsh Young Musical Theatre Singer of the Year competition, which was held in Swansea.

Since then I have worked a lot for Welsh National Opera, singing roles, covering roles and leading workshops. I am also on a scheme called Live Music Now, which takes live music into places where you wouldn't normally expect to find it, such as hospitals, prisons, schools and residential homes.

I love being a part of OMA, meeting and singing with amazing artists, travelling around the world and singing in front of thousands of people. I've made great friends through the choir and although it's hard work, I wouldn't change what I do for anything!

The chance for me to share just a few of my experiences and opportunites with the members of Only Boys Aloud is something I love to do.

Follow me on Twitter - @CraigYates