Polly May is a mezzo soprano based in London, studying with Linda Hirst. In 2003, Polly completed her Advanced Postgraduate Diploma at TCM, gaining a High Distinction. Polly has recently worked with the Huddersfield Choral Society as the Alto soloist in the Rachmaninov Vespers', in Yorkshire, France and at the Cheltenham Festival 2005, conducted by Martyn Brabbins. In 2004, Polly worked alongside Brabbins at the Cheltenham Festival as Mrs Noye in Britten Noye's Fludde. Oratorio work includes Alto soloist in Handel Messiah, where she was highly acclaimed by the national press; Alto and Soprano II soloist, in the Bach Mass in B Minor, with the Cheltenham Bach Choir, at the Bath Bach Festival, with Academy of St Mary's and in France; Alto soloist in Handel Dixit Dominus, Mozart Requiem, Bach St Matthew Passion, Rossini Petite Messe Solenelle, Mahler Third Symphony, in Ely Cathedral, conducted by Diego Masson, and Haydn Nelson Mass, at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, conducted by Sir Charles Mackerras. In 2002, Polly performed a solo recital at the Cheltenham International Festival of Music as part of the Young Artists Series, in the Pitville Pump Room. Other opera roles include the Sorceress in Purcell Dido and Aeneas, Nerone in Monteverdi L'Incoronazione di Poppea and Assunta in Menotti The Saint of Bleecker Street.

Polly sings much contemporary music and has recently premiered a new work by Altier for the Canterbury Sounds New Festival, conducted by James Macmillan with the Manson Ensemble. Other contemporary repertoire includes Macmillan Raising Sparks, for which The Scotsman said "this singer is clearly on the cusp of a brilliant career", Britten Phaedra and new works by Tansy Davies and Jonathan Harvey. She has also workshopped various new works with Endymion Ensemble.

Polly has worked for Channel 4 singing 'castrati' arias and been interviewed about them for the documentary 'Human Mutants'. Polly works regularly with soprano Madeleine Holmes and together they perform concerts with repertoire including Pergolesi, Purcell, Mozart, Rossini, Brahms and jazz standards. Polly has released a CD, 'Songs from the Exotic' (Delphian Records), for which Hilary Finch in BBC Music Magazine found a "fresh and courageous venture".