Mold performer to headline NEW Sinfonia New Year gala
A rising star from Mold is set to take centre stage at one of North Wales’ biggest New Year celebrations.
Singer and actress Catrin Mai Edwards, 26, will be the guest soloist for NEW Sinfonia’s annual gala concert to welcome 2026.
The family-friendly performance, sponsored by Pendine Park through the Pendine Arts and Community Trust, will take place at Wrexham’s William Aston Hall at 3pm on Saturday 3 January.
It marks a major move for the orchestra, which is relocating its traditional New Year concert from St Giles’ Church to a larger venue in response to increasing demand.
NEW Sinfonia co-founder Jonathan Guy said the shift was a “bittersweet but exciting” moment for the ensemble.
He said: “We’ve absolutely loved performing at St Giles over the years but our audience has outgrown the space. The William Aston Hall gives us the chance to welcome even more people to share the joy of music as we ring in the New Year.”
Pendine Park founder Mario Kreft MBE said: “It has been an absolute joy to see how NEW Sinfonia has grown and developed. Music and the arts provide the golden thread through everything we do at Pendine so supporting this wonderful concert chimes perfectly with our ethos.”
NEW Sinfonia was established in 2011 by Jon and his brother, conductor Robert Guy, to create opportunities for young instrumentalists from North Wales.
As it approaches its 15th anniversary, it has developed into what the orchestra describes as the flagship ensemble of the region.
Guest soloist Catrin, who now lives in London, will perform a selection of West End musical theatre pieces alongside the orchestra’s programme of Viennese waltzes and classical marches.
Catrin said: “I’m beyond delighted. This will be such a special occasion for me, being back on home turf and singing at the best new year celebration in town! I can’t thank Jon and Rob enough for inviting me.
“They have been so generous spirited and allowed me to choose a set of my own musical theatre favourites.”
She said she is excited that her parents, David and Mair Edwards, and friends from across Flintshire and Wrexham will be able to attend. She also plans to send a video of the show to her brother Cai, who lives in New Zealand.
She said: “Music runs in our blood. Even when I was very young music flowed through our house. Dad ran a folk club which met at different venues in Flintshire and Denbighshire and I would often go and sing alongside him.
“I have great memories of those folk sessions and struck up some long-lasting friendships.”
Catrin studied music at the University of Wales Trinity St David in Cardiff before completing a masters at the Royal Academy of Music.
She has since worked in musical education and as a professional actor, singer and instrumentalist. A fluent Welsh speaker, she often performs in Welsh language productions.
One of her proudest moments was appearing in Curtain Up! at Theatr Clwyd in Mold.
She said: “It was hugely exciting for me, performing on the stage where I had been in the audience so many times as a child, mesmerised by all the fantastic shows they put on there.”
She said her ultimate ambition is to secure a role in a major West End show. She said: “A starring role in a show like Les Mis would definitely be the ultimate goal. It’s been my dream since I was seven years old and I’ve never let go of it. But for now I’m thrilled to be at the early stages of my career enjoying each minute and about to enter the spotlight in a wonderful arena singing the songs I love.”
Jon Guy said he, Rob and NEW Sinfonia co-director Ruth Evans were delighted to welcome Catrin.
He said: “She is just the person we needed to help mix things up a little this year. As NEW Sinfonia continues to evolve and grow it is inevitable that there will be some changes along our way.
“Catrin’s musical theatre expertise will add an extra dynamic to our annual gala concert which we’re sure audiences of all ages will love.
“It means the show will be jam-packed with musical gems, some of which past visitors may have enjoyed before, others which will be new to them and to us as players. But it’s always a positive move to stretch our musical boundaries.
“The idea is to offer something for everyone, beloved show tunes alongside the classic sound of the Viennese concert hall. It will be a programme to leave everyone going home with a spring in their step.”
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