Dutch singer Iris Korfker is an accomplished classical vocalist, versatile in both soprano and alto repertoire. Originally from the Netherlands, Iris has lived in the UK for over 20 years, where she has established a distinguished career in choral, solo, and operatic performance. Since 2021, she has sung with John Eliot Gardiner’s Monteverdi Choir, where Gardiner encouraged her exploration of the alto range, adding depth and versatility to her vocal expression. 

Notable performances last year included The Constellation Choir and Orchestras inaugural tour with Sir John Eliot Gardiner. Where she was Alto Soloist at the Palace of Versailles, the previous year a North American tour with concerts at prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall, as well as the distinct honour of singing at the Coronation of King Charles III at Westminster Abbey.

Iris’s solo engagements have featured diverse and challenging works, including Britten’s Les Illuminations with the Orchestra of St John’s at King’s Place, Strauss’s Four Last Songs and Mahler's Eighth Symphony with the Exeter Music Group Symphony Orchestra, and Mozart’s Requiem at St Martin-in-the-Fields.

Iris was trained at the Royal Academy of Music and Trinity College of Music, where she won various prizes. Having had lessons with teachers like Ryland Davies, Alison Wells and Adrian Thompson she now works with Susan Roberts. Iris also sings with many of London’s professional church choirs such as Westminster Abbey and is the regular Soprano at St Etheldredas. When not performing, she enjoys sharing her love of music with her six-year-old daughter, bringing her to concerts and on tour when she can.

2025 will see her tour further with the Constellation Choir, join the Jupiter Ensemble for the first time for a tour through Franc,e and revisit, after quite a few years, the role of Queen of the Night at the Athenaeum Club, Pall Mall, London.

‘Church singing is a cherished and significant part of my musical life’

Iris recently became a deputy Lay Vicar at Westminter Abbey and will be joining them for the performance of St John’s Passion (J.S. Bach) this April.

Iris is deeply passionate about the English choral tradition, which played a key role in her decision to study singing in the UK. Her choral journey began at the age of 8 in the Netherlands Children’s Choir.

As a 12-year-old tourist in London, she visited Westminster Abbey, Westminster Cathedral, St Paul’s Cathedral, and Windsor Castle, insisting on hearing the renowned church choirs perform. After a few summer Dartington International Sumerschools where she had masterclasses with singers like Dame Emma Kirkby, In 2000 Iris decided to move to the UK to study at Trinity College of Music, later continuing her training at the Royal Academy of Music. Alongside her studies, she established a prominent presence on the London choral scene, performing regularly with many of Londons leading church choirs. She currently holds the soprano position at St Etheldreda’s, Ely Place and recently joined the deplist of Westminster Abbey as most likely the first Dutch female alto Lay clerk deputy in history.

Iris has also sung with a number of other prestigious church choirs, including The London Oratory Choir (Soprano & Alto), St Bride’s Church, Fleet Street (Soprano & Alto), Westminster Cathedral Choir (Soprano), Westminster Abbey Choir (Soprano &  Alto), Farm Street Church Choir (Soprano & Alto), St Clement Danes Church (Soprano & Alto), St Marylebone Parish Church (Soprano & Alto), and St Mary’s, Bourne Street (Soprano & Alto). 

For Iris, music is an essential part of elevating services, weddings, and funerals, whether as a soloist or as a member of a choir. This work forms a cherished and significant part of her musical portfolio.