Dementia care home worker wows opera star Bryn Terfel with rendition of Carmen song

Residents at a Welsh dementia care home have a singing superstar in their midst, who wowed opera singer Bryn Terfel with her rendition of 'Habanera' from the opera Carmen.

Sheena Miranda, 28, is a Filipino-born, British soprano. She was known as Sheena Udani in the Philippines where she appeared on the TV show ‘Search for a Star’ getting through to the semi-finals where she was awarded a recording contract.

After getting a degree in the Philippines, she moved to Wales and took up a care job at Bodlondeb, Pendine Park’s centre of excellence for dementia in Wrexham.

She recently sang to bass-baritone Bryn Terfel and former royal harpist Hannah Stone when they visited Pendine Park.

Ms Miranda said: “I just really enjoy singing and performing, especially songs from the musicals. I sang Habanera from Carmen for Bryn Terfel when he came to Bodlondeb. He really clapped me and told me I had done a brilliant job. Naturally I was thrilled.

“I enjoy working at Bodlondeb and singing for residents when I can. I’d like to perform professionally and on my days off I go to Vic Studios in Wrexham. I’ve written a lot of my own songs and I’m recording them.

“I write the lyrics and a guy called Mike Harmina composes the music for me. I do one to two hour sessions at the studios each week to rehearse and record my songs.”

She is about to sit the Level 8 London College of Music exam, and recently sang at one of Wrexham’s street festivals after being asked by Wrexham MP Ian Lucas.

Bodlondeb manager, Ann Chapman, revealed that the residents at Pendine Park really enjoy listening to her singing, saying: “Sheena has the voice of an angel. She certainly impressed Bryn Terfel. I’m so pleased Ian Lucas MP asked her to sing at the street festival.

“As well as having a wonderful voice, Sheena is also an amazing care practitioner.

“Residents and relatives really appreciate the way she provides first class care and she’s certainly a popular member of the Bodlondeb care team.

“Should her singing career take-off and she ends up on the West End stage we’d certainly miss here at Bodlondeb!”

click here for more details or to contact Pendine Park Care Organisation Ltd