Born and bred in Swansea, Elin Manahan Thomas graduated
from Clare College Cambridge in Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic. Elin went on to study as a post-graduate at the Royal College of Music, and was awarded the Ted Moss and Bertha Stach-Taylor Lieder Prize. In 2005 she was a finalist in the prestigious Joaninha Award. In 2007 she released her début solo album with Universal Classics and Jazz, "Eternal Light", which entered the classical charts at number two.

‘...bursting with rhythmic vigour...a great expansive range: intimacy and emotional depth...an absolute joy' BBC Music Magazine

In April 2008 Elin was nominated and shortlisted for Welsh Bafta: Best Newcomer (Presenter).