Background
The daughter of a Fylde Coast heating engineer, Robotham was born and raised in Blackpool where she was educated at the Collegiate School for Girls.
The daughter of a Fylde Coast heating engineer, Robotham was born and raised in Blackpool where she was educated at the Collegiate School for Girls.
Teachers diploma with distinction, Royal Manchester College Music, 1957. Performer's diploma with distinction, Royal Manchester College Music, 1959.
Her early performances included Handel"s Alcina in Lisbon, Brahms" Rhapsodie conducted by Malcolm Sargent at the British Broadcasting Corporation Proms, Britten"s Abraham and Isaac at Aldeburgh, the Verdi Requiem, and the Angel in Elgar"s The Dream of Gerontius. In the early 1970s, after her election as an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Manchester College of Music and having sung in over 100 performances and broadcasts in the United Kingdom and Europe, Robotham turned to teaching which she considered her true vocation. In 1974 she became a voice professor at Lancaster University, and in 1979 she joined the faculty of the Royal Northern College of Music.
Amongst her students there were Amanda Roocroft and Sara Fulgoni.
She retired from full-time teaching at the RNCM in 1999, but continued to give master-classes at the college up until her final illness. Robotham was a long-time resident of Lytham Saint Annes where she was the President of the Lytham Street Annes Choral Society from 1989 until her death.
Her last professional performance was as the mezzo-soprano soloist in the Verdi Requiem which she performed with the society in 1997 at Blackpool Grand Theatre.
School governor Kirkham Grammar School, Kirkham Preston, since 1983. Fellow: University Central Lancashire, Royal Manchester College Music (Curtis Gold medal for singing 1958, Imperial League of Opera prize 1958), Royal Northern College Music. Member: Inc. Society Musicians.
Married Eric Waite, August 30, 1958. 1 child Eric Jonathan Waite.