SWAP'ra RETREAT APPLICATIONS
applicant information:
FIRST NAME:
FIRST NAME HIDDEN FOR 1ST ROUND
EMAIL:
EMAIL HIDDEN FOR 1ST ROUND
LAST NAME:
LAST NAME HIDDEN FOR 1ST ROUND
PHONE:
PHONE HIDDEN FOR 1ST ROUND
DATE OF BIRTH
Oct 19, 2024
NUMBER OF CHILDREN AND THEIR AGES:
Two children, 5 months and 2 years
ARTISTIC TRAINING AND ACHIEVEMENTS PRIOR TO BIRTH OF FIRST CHILD:
In the year before having my first child, all elements of my artistic practice were coming together, vocally and interpretively. In 2022, I was engaged as Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni for a short run in London, followed by shows in the South of England. I also performed Nedda and Santuzza in a reworking of Cavalliera Rusticana and Pagliacci, which was a great success with sellout performances. The latter role stretched me, as I was 6-7 months pregnant, but I had never sung better.
Prior to this, I worked as a cover and chorus-member for leading summer festival companies, such as Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, Buxton Festival and Grange Park Opera. About five years ago I decided to focus on solo work as much as possible, and had success with smaller companies, often singing Mozart roles. I built my profile as a solo artist through concert work and honing my skill in song and oratorio. I was a participant in two Britten-Pears courses and released an online art song series during COVID.
WHY DO YOU WANT TO TAKE PART IN THE SWAP'RA RETREAT?
The course comes at exactly the right time for me. Now that I am the mother to two girls under two I am thinking about what I want my career in opera to look like and how to make that happen. After my first child was born, I was able to maintain a certain number of engagements in the diary, such as the Don Giovanni tour mentioned above, as well as other concerts. Since having my second child, there are significantly greater challenges as I seek to progress my career. This course would allow me to focus on addressing and overcoming these obstacles .
One such obstacle is lacking the dedicated time and financial resources with which to prepare and create recordings. Having quality, up-to-date recordings is essential to be able to apply and audition for work in opera, and the need for these has increased markedly since I first went on maternity leave. Having recordings of the highest standard, created with input from high-calibre coaches, would be a fantastic resource as I continue to progress my career.
Another challenge, after a two-year hiatus and having given birth to two children, is that my body feels significantly different now. My voice is richer and has somewhat more weight. I am also aware that I need to build back conditioning and strength. This course provides a focus post on vocal and physical health, which I would find incredibly useful to help me navigate these changes. It would be extremely useful to talk with vocal health specialists, as well as having input from yoga practitioners.
One of the obstacles I face after having children is that I have less time to focus on furthering my career. It would be very helpful to be part of a community of parents who are in a similar position to me, to exchange ideas about how to be more strategic and targeted, as well as to feel support and solidarity. In a similar way, it would be useful to hear from previous SWAP’ra course participants, who are further down the path of parenthood, about the challenges they faced and how they have overcome them.
Finally, I hope the course will give me the opportunity for some introspection. Being a mother feels very all-consuming, and at times can be hard to marry with my identity as a singer. This can make it hard to retain my confidence, and I hope to explore some the reasons for this. Having sessions with a performance psychologist to reflect on some of these themes would be really useful.
DESCRIBE YOUR PRESENT LIFE AS AN ARTIST AND PLANS FOR THE FUTURE:
I am able to take up concerts and contracts as they are offered, largely as a result of contacts developed before I had children. I am performing in two opera galas this Autumn, and I have some oratorio engagements in the diary for the spring, such as Handel’s Alexander’s Feast with Lawyers Music. My daughters are currently young enough that taking on a full-time rehearsal period would be difficult, so I have not yet sought or applied for this type of work
I have recently restarted singing lessons with Neil Baker, after a two-year hiatus. He oversaw rapid development in my singing before I had children, and I am excited to begin work on new repertoire. I am not working with a regular repertoire coach, but intend to restart sessions soon. I will also be applying to the Oxenfoord summer school in 2025.
I am currently planning my next steps for my career, as I regain some independence. I will apply to companies for audition in 2025. Having recordings alongside a package of arias that suit my voice as it is now, would put me in the best possible position for this. I am also interested in looking at my career in a more holistic way, thinking about how I might be able to start my own projects, which would better suit my life as a parent now. This might be as simple as a recital series, or an opera project in a venue close to home.
DO YOU ENVISAGE BRINGING YOUR CHILDREN WITH YOU ON THE COURSE?
Yes, I would likely bringing one or both children on the course with me.
My preferred option would be to just bring my younger baby (9 months old at the time of the course) and my husband to take care of her. This would require me to arrange for other family to be on hand to look after my older daughter while we are are away.
If this were not possible then I would bring both of my children on the course, along with my husband to support their care.
REFEREE information:
REFEREE 1 NAME:
Neil Baker
REFEREE 1 EMAIL:
REFEREE 1 RELATIONSHIP:
Singing Teacher
REFEREE 1 RESPONSE:
Position / Role Held:
Professor of Vocal Studies, Trinty Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance
Length of time you have known applicant:
4 years
In what capacity have you worked with the applicant and when?
As a teacher since January 2021
Would you recommend the applicant for the SWAP’ra Retreat? Please describe the applicant’s ability and potential to build a successful career in opera/classical singing:
It gives me great pleasure to recommend xxxx for the SWAP’re retreat, which seems tailor-made to support her at this point in her career. I worked with her for two years between 2021 and 2022 and have recently resumed lessons with her after a two-year hiatus when she became a parent to two children.
xxxx’s talent is of the highest order, both vocally and interpretively. Vocally she sings with a beautiful full lyric sound with an easy access to the top end of her voice, whilst delivering a warm and rounded middle register. xxxx is able to bring this sound with her interpretation to give performances with a considerable emotional impact. I have seen her perform as Contessa in Le Nozze di Figaro and her charisma on stage was undeniable, with a natural and direct portrayal of the character. Similarly in a masterclass with David Butt Philip, I watched her embody the role of Mimi, and leave the masterclass audience spellbound. In my opinion xxxx has enormous future career potential.
Parenthood came at a time when she was vocally hitting her stride, and I have been so impressed by her focus and drive to succeed in opera, even after having two young children. I believe in her talent, her skill and her ability to develop her career to the highest level. She deserves to be heard and appreciated by the widest possible audience. This course would be an ideal fit to help her achieve that end.
Any other comments:
xxxx’s journey as a singer was on a steep upward trajectory just at the point that she became a parent and had to place a pause on her career. She had begun branching into more lyric/ verismo territory as a singer and the results were thrilling to hear.
REFEREE 2 NAME:
Ashley Pearson
REFEREE 2 EMAIL:
REFEREE 2 RELATIONSHIP:
Opera Director
REFEREE 2 RESPONSE:
Position / Role Held:
Stage Director
Length of time you have known applicant:
6 years
In what capacity have you worked with the applicant and when?
I have directed xxxx in a number of productions including Don Giovanni in 2018 (in which xxxx played Donna Elvira), Pauline Viardot's Cendrillon in 2020 (in which xxxx played Cinderella) and Cavalleria Rusticana/Pagliacci in 2022 (in which xxxx played Santuzza/Nedda).
Would you recommend the applicant for the SWAP’ra Retreat? Please describe the applicant’s ability and potential to build a successful career in opera/classical singing:
I would unequivocally highly recommend xxxx for this retreat. She is an incredibly talented and hard working singer, whose approach to her craft is diligent and collaborative. xxxx consistently brings intelligent, empathetic ideas of character interpretation into a rehearsal room, and always has a lot to offer as a performer. Along with her significant musical abilities, xxxx is a sensitive and talented actress. xxxx has had an impressive career working with companies including Grange Park Opera, Buxton Festival, Longborough Festival Opera and Festival d'Aix-en-Provence. I believe she has every ability to continue this track record and build her portfolio of work.
Any other comments:
I am happy to discuss xxxx's work further, should such be helpful.