Ben Hayes

I am a classically trained countertenor with a strong passion for choral and operatic repertoire. My performance experience encompasses opera, oratorio, a cappella, chamber music and musical theatre. I currently hold a choral scholarship for the University of St Andrews and have worked with companies including Opera North and Byre Opera.

Kaherdin/Ensemble – Le Vin Herbe by Frank Martin at Byre Opera (2025-06 – 2025-06)

Conductor: Michael Downes

Es Ist Vollbracht – J S Bach's St John Passion at St Salvator's Chapel Choir (2025-03 – 2025-03)

Conductor: Claire Innes-Hopkins

Ach, Schläfrige Seele, wie? – J S Bach's Cantata BWV 115 at St Salvator's Chapel Choir (2023-11 – 2023-11)

Conductor: Claire Innes-Hopkins

Miles – The Turn of the Screw by Benjamin Britten at Opera North (2020-01 – 2020-01)

Opera North UK Trailer

2nd Boy – The Magic Flute by Mozart at Opera North (2019-01 – 2019-03)

Opera North UK Tour and BBC Radio 3. Conductor: Robert Howarth

Shepherd Boy – Tosca by Puccini at Opera North (2018-09 – 2018-11)

Opera North UK Tour. Conductor: Anthony Hermus

Midshipman/Powder Monkey – Billy Budd by Benjamin Britten at Opera North (2017-06 – 2017-06)

Conductor: Orpha Phelan

Man 1 – Of Ballades, Fable and Legend at Byre Opera (2025-04 – 2025-04)

UK premiere of a new musical written by Alexis and Jobim Ffrench

Featured Countertenor – Side by Side by Sondheim at Byre Opera (2024-06 – 2024-06)

Directors: Lucy Schaufer and Jason Carr

Heather C Higgins Choral Scholarship Holder at University of St Andrews (2023-09 – Present)

University of St Andrews flagship choir. Directed by Claire Innes Hopkins

Member at The Other Guys (2023-09 – Present)

The UK's premiere all-male a cappella group. Winner of the Best Soloist award in the 2025 ICCA UK finals

Member at Exultate Choir (2025-01 – Present)

Directed by Richard Stafford

Supervisor at Hotel Chocolat (2021-09 – 2023-09)

• Mentor and coach to junior colleagues and regular help for managerial interim tasks
• Store Key Holder providing end of day responsibilities handling cash and leading teams providing strong customer service
• Asked to return for a summer season due to strong work efficiency and strong customer handling

Supervisor at Hotel Chocolat (2025-07 – 2025-08)

Summer seasonal return

MA in Modern Languages (Spanish and Italian) – University of St Andrews (2023-09 – 2027-06)

MA in Modern Languages (Spanish and Italian) - Exchange Year – Università degli studi di Verona (2025-09 – 2026-06)

A-Levels in History, Spanish, Music – Roundhay sixth Form (2020-09 – 2022-08)

Level 3 BTEC in Performing Arts – Roundhay sixth Form (2020-09 – 2022-08)