Claire Bradshaw was born in Yorkshire and studied at the Royal Northern College of Music and at The National Opera Studio. Whilst at the R.N.C.M. she won all of the college's main vocal awards and was also a finalist in the prestigious Kathleen Ferrier Awards. Claire currently studies with David Pollard.

Of her work in Spring 2007 singing Suzuki for Welsh National Opera (with Amanda Roocroft as Madam Butterfly), the Times wrote "Claire Bradshaw is an exemplary Suzuki" while the Guardian stated that "Claire Bradshaw's expressively sung Suzuki matched Roocroft in intensity".

Claire Bradshaw’s roles have included the title role in Carmen at London’s Royal Albert Hall in Raymond Gubbay’s acclaimed production, receiving rave reviews. Other roles include Suzuki Madama Butterfly, Maddalena Rigoletto, Lola Cavalleria Rusticana, Mercedes Carmen, 2nd Lady The Magic Flute, Varvara Katja Kabanova for Welsh National Opera and Lisetta Il Mondo della Luna (Haydn) for Opera Zuid (Netherlands). Claire has also performed in the Spoleto Festival (Italy) in the role of the Innkeeper’s Wife in Janacek’s Cunning Little Vixen with Richard Hickox. For Scottish Opera Claire has sung Cherubino Le Nozze di Figaro, Hansel Hansel and Gretel, Maddalena Rigoletto and Dryad Ariadne auf Naxos (at the Edinburgh International Festival). Claire Bradshaw has performed in concert and oratorio throughout the UK and in Austria, Denmark, Israel, Italy and France.