Maryam Giraud (BA Cantab FCH) is a twenty-one-year-old mezzo-soprano, choral alto, and composer based in London, UK. She is currently in her first year of the MMus degree at the Royal Academy of Music.

 

Maryam has enjoyed herself singing in many productions and concerts during her time at Cambridge. She has had particular fun interacting with the works of Gilbert and Sullivan, taking on such roles as Mrs Cripps (Little Buttercup) in HMS Pinafore, Dame Hannah in Ruddigore, and the Lady Jane in Patience. Recent performance highlights outside of Gilbert and Sullivan include Durufle’s Pie Jesu, Handel’s But Who May Abide, and the mezzo-soprano solo role in her own piece, Hannah’s Prayer.

 

Having an extensive background in choral singing, Maryam established herself as a strong choral alto during her time at Cambridge. Under the direction of Anna Lapwood (Pembroke College Girls’ Choir, 2018-2023; Pembroke College Chapel Choir 2023-2025), Graham Walker (St John’s Voices 2023-2024; Cambridge University Schola Cantorum 2024-2026), and Luke Fitzgerald (Pembroke College Chapel Choir 2025-2026), Maryam has had the pleasure of participating in several concerts, international tours, and recordings. Particular highlights include a recording at Abbey Road, multiple BBC Broadcasts, and a joint concert with the BBC singers. Maryam is starting a Choral Scholarship at St Cuthbert's, Earl's Court this September.

 

Maryam discovered her love of composition when in the Pembroke College Girls’ Choir through group composition exercises. Since then, she has composed continuously throughout her music studies, including for the composition modules at Cambridge University. She is particularly honoured to be the 2026 recipient of the Andrew Downes Composition Prize for her piece ‘Unfolding’, which received the highest composition mark in the final year of the  Cambridge Music Tripos.

 

More details about Maryam’s singing and composition are on this website. Links to purchase scores are to arrive shortly.