Indian-Scottish Neil Balfour studied at Leeds College of Music, the Royal Northern College of Music and the National Opera Studio. He is a former Britten-Pears and Concordia artist. In the current season Neil performs Prince Yamadori Madama Butterfly Welsh National Opera, premieres Jean Arp Sophie Tête à Tête Opera festival and recently gave a Sondheim recital for Oxford Lieder. Other recent performances include creating the role of Ibn Al-Haytham Al-Haytham’s light (English Touring Opera); Mercurio La Calisto (Longborough Festival Opera); Claggart Billy Budd Re-imagined (The Royal Opera House L&P Department) and Cold Genius King Arthur (Glastonbury Festival). He is director of ArtSongStory (creating compelling videos of art-song) and founder of the Koko Koncerts, showcasing young classical musicians in an informal setting.