Verity Sharp
Encyclopedia
Verity Sharp is a Radio Three
presenter and co-presenter from England.
, she read music at the University of York
and studied composition. During these years, she did some acting, performed music, and studied languages, including French.
in 1993, the year she had planned to start a post-graduate degree at the Guildhall School of Music.
Verity Sharp trained as a producer, and from 1997 regularly produced and presented Pebble Mill
's Music Machine, a 15-minute music programme primarily intended for children. A year later, she was hosting the contemporary music show, Here And Now. In 2001, the eclectic late-night music programme Late Junction
, which she presents in alternation with Fiona Talkington
, won her the Silver Sony Radio Academy Award for Music Broadcaster of the Year - a "very proud moment for the team after three years of very hard work". She is also one of the presenters of The Culture Show
on BBC2.
and turned to traditional music.
Having interviewed them while presenting a Culture Show special in 2008, she admitted to retaining a fondness for the thrash metal
band Metallica
she had as a teenager.
BBC Radio 3
BBC Radio 3 is a national radio station operated by the BBC within the United Kingdom. Its output centres on classical music and opera, but jazz, world music, drama, culture and the arts also feature. The station is the world’s most significant commissioner of new music, and its New Generation...
presenter and co-presenter from England.
Early life
Verity Sharp grew up in Somerset. After studying at Dartington College of ArtsDartington College of Arts
Dartington College of Arts was a specialist arts institution near Totnes, Devon, South West England, it specialized in post-dramatic theatre, music, choreography, Performance Writing and visual performance, focusing on a performative and multi-disciplinary approach to the arts. In addition to this,...
, she read music at the University of York
University of York
The University of York , is an academic institution located in the city of York, England. Established in 1963, the campus university has expanded to more than thirty departments and centres, covering a wide range of subjects...
and studied composition. During these years, she did some acting, performed music, and studied languages, including French.
Presenting career
Sharp moved to London after graduating in 1992, and began working for Radio 3BBC Radio 3
BBC Radio 3 is a national radio station operated by the BBC within the United Kingdom. Its output centres on classical music and opera, but jazz, world music, drama, culture and the arts also feature. The station is the world’s most significant commissioner of new music, and its New Generation...
in 1993, the year she had planned to start a post-graduate degree at the Guildhall School of Music.
Verity Sharp trained as a producer, and from 1997 regularly produced and presented Pebble Mill
Pebble Mill Studios
The BBC 's Pebble Mill Studios were located in Edgbaston, a suburb of Birmingham, England. The views from the roof overlooked Cannon Hill Park, a nature centre, as well as Birmingham's city centre...
's Music Machine, a 15-minute music programme primarily intended for children. A year later, she was hosting the contemporary music show, Here And Now. In 2001, the eclectic late-night music programme Late Junction
Late Junction
Late Junction is a music programme broadcast on three nights a week by BBC Radio 3. Billed as "an eclectic mix of world music, ranging from the ancient to the contemporary", the programme has a wide musical scope. It is not uncommon to hear medieval ballads juxtaposed with 21st century electronica,...
, which she presents in alternation with Fiona Talkington
Fiona Talkington
Fiona Talkington is a UK radio broadcaster on BBC Radio 3.Talkington has an MA degree in Literature and the Visual Arts which was dedicated to the writings of Sir Kenneth Clark. Before joining Radio 3 in 1989, she worked on local radio in Reading and Wiltshire...
, won her the Silver Sony Radio Academy Award for Music Broadcaster of the Year - a "very proud moment for the team after three years of very hard work". She is also one of the presenters of The Culture Show
The Culture Show
The Culture Show is a weekly BBC Two Arts magazine programme. It is broadcast in the UK on Thursday nights at 7pm, focusing on the best of the week's arts and culture news, covering books, art, film, architecture, music, visual fashion and the performing arts...
on BBC2.
Music interest
It was from her student years that she acquired a taste for non-Western music. Although her training was in classical cello she later took up the fiddleFiddle
The term fiddle may refer to any bowed string musical instrument, most often the violin. It is also a colloquial term for the instrument used by players in all genres, including classical music...
and turned to traditional music.
Having interviewed them while presenting a Culture Show special in 2008, she admitted to retaining a fondness for the thrash metal
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
band Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
she had as a teenager.