Biography
Ross says it was when he heard ‘Smells like teen spirit’ by Nirvana for the first time that he knew he wanted to be a performer. At eight a family friend gave him his old guitar which Ross set about learning to play with gusto, taking lessons with a local teacher. More than fifteen years later, he still carries his guitar with him wherever he travels, and, though he is still a fan of Nirvana, his vocal range and talent for performing has led to an interest in many different genres of music.
The first musical Ross saw in the theatre was Jesus Christ Superstar. He describes hearing Gethsemane for the first time as “a seminal moment in my life. It is a song which I have returned to again and again as my voice has developed and I was lucky enough to perform it at the ‘topping out’ of the Beacon Arts Centre in Greenock on the 16th of February this year for Andrew Lloyd Webber himself.”
His keen interest in musical theatre led to several leading roles with Aberdeen Youth Music Theatre. Even as a teenager, Ross was already taking on challenging parts on stage, including Jesus in ‘Godspell’ and Javert in ‘Les Miserables’.
At eighteen, Ross moved to Glasgow to study musical theatre at the Glasgow Academy of Musical Theatre Arts (GAMTA). Whilst there, Ross took on the role of the Prince in the GAMTA pantomimes ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and ‘Snow White’ at the SECC.
Much of the professional experience Ross gained during his time at GAMTA involved working alongside Scottish and Irish musicians. He joined the cast of ‘Highland Heartbeat’ in 2009, touring Scotland, performing in America, and recording the soundtrack. In 2010, he was cast as the lead singer for a European tour with ‘Gaelforce’, a well known, high energy Irish dance show. He says of these experiences, “Working with traditional musicians has inspired my song writing, adding another layer to my rock and pop style.”
At the end of 2010, Ross joined the UK tour of ‘We Will Rock You’ as part of the ensemble and as understudy to ‘Galileo’ and ‘Brit’. Ross describes this experience, "I learned so much whilst on tour with ‘We Will Rock You’. It was fantastic to perform alongside some of the West End’s best and having the opportunity to take on the leading role, as Galileo, in my home town of Aberdeen was a particular highlight.”
Ross believes in continually improving his skills, through practice and his own song writing. When in London, he undertakes vocal coaching from Mary Hammond a distinguished vocal lecturer at the Royal Academy of Music. With several new projects in the pipeline for 2012, on stage and in the recording studio, he is set to have an exciting year.
