Osian Llyr Rowlands

osian.rowlands@cansing.org.uk

Osian was born and bred in Caerphilly where he now lives with his wife, Fflur and children Dewi Aled and Betsan Lois. He graduated with a B.A.Hons degree in History and Welsh History from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth. During this period he received vocal training from Jeanette Massocchi. He completed a Post Graduate Diploma in vocal studies at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama where he studied with Gareth Rhys Davies and Jeffrey Howard.

From a young age he has been successful at the Urdd and the National Eisteddfod of Wales. Osian is also a former member of the National Youth Choir of Wales and the National Children's Orchestra of Great Britain and the National Youth Orchestra of Wales as a harpist. He sings with the award-winning choir Cywair, Cantorion John S. Davies as well as the vocal ensemble Fortza.

He is conductor of C.Ô.R who have raised over £10,000 for various charities since forming in 2013 and highlights include recording the soundtrack of the Grammy Award nominated film Pride, performing with Sir Bryn Terfel for his 50^th birthday programme for S4C Bywyd trwy Gân.

C.Ô.R recorded Elin Manahan Thomas’ Welsh translation of Bach’s St John Passion for S4C as well as broadcast performances with Cerys Matthews (S4C), Katherine Jenkins (Songs of Praise) and many broadcast concerts for BBC Radio Cymru. They performed a concert performance of Tosca alongside Sir Bryn Terfel and WNO Orchestra at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod in 2017 and repeated the concert at the Abu Dhabi Music Festival in 2019 alongside Sinfonia Cymru Orchestra. C.Ô.R performed the premiere of Brian Hughes – Mametz Wood alongside the National Youth Orchestra and Choir of Wales in 2018, and released their first CD last year, alongside Côrdydd, of Welsh hymn arrangements by their accompanist Jeffrey Howard which was released by Ty Cerdd. They recently sang on the soundtrack of Aardman’s animated film for Netflix, Robin Robin.

After 16 years as Chorus Manager of the BBC National Chorus of Wales and a vocal animateur for CanSing, Osian is now Chief Executive of Menter Iaith Rhondda Cynon Taf.