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
Jan 21, 1986
NUMBER OF CHILDREN AND THEIR AGES:
One, aged 2
ARTISTIC TRAINING AND ACHIEVEMENTS PRIOR TO BIRTH OF FIRST CHILD:
I had reached a stage where I was performing small roles and covering principal roles with opera festivals. I made my debut at Wexford Festival Opera performing Sandman in Hansel and Gretal and my most recent principal covers included Micaela and Konstanza (Die Entführung aus dem Serail) at The Grange Festival. My final concert before the birth of my daughter was at Bristol Cathedral with full orchestra performing a demanding programme of Choral solo repertoire at 7 months pregnant.
WHY DO YOU WANT TO TAKE PART IN THE SWAP'RA RETREAT?
Since having my daughter I have found the road back to feeling like a singer much harder than I had thought it would be. My voice feels a more stable than before and yet I feel a greater sense of fear that I didn’t used to feel. I feel a sense of isolation being apart from work and colleagues which has been very tough at times. I want to feel part of a supportive group with a shared understanding of the challenges we face as parents trying to return to a performing careeer.
DESCRIBE YOUR PRESENT LIFE AS AN ARTIST AND PLANS FOR THE FUTURE:
I’m very keen to work alongside and learn from parents who are going through the same process of rebuilding themselves as I am. I had a coaching session recently with a coach from ROH and it felt good and my voice felt stable and easier than it had done before I had my daughter which has given me real confidence in applying for the retreat. I plan to record videos within the next 6 months with a view to applying for auditions in 2025.
DO YOU ENVISAGE BRINGING YOUR CHILDREN WITH YOU ON THE COURSE?
Probably not. I will most likely come on my own.
REFEREE information:
REFEREE 1 NAME:
John Evans
REFEREE 1 EMAIL:
REFEREE 1 RELATIONSHIP:
Teacher
REFEREE 1 RESPONSE:
Position / Role Held:
Voice teacher, GSMD
Length of time you have known applicant:
10 years
In what capacity have you worked with the applicant and when?
As her singing teacher from 2014-2020
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:
Yes. xxxx has a good voice, and is an able musician. I haven’t actually seen her since the pandemic, but know she had a little girl in 2022, and prior to that was working as a chorister at the Grange. We didn’t get to finish our work together, but I always thought highly of her, and know from the message she sent me asking for this reference that she has found it hard since having her child.
REFEREE 2 NAME:
Jack Furness
REFEREE 2 EMAIL:
REFEREE 2 RELATIONSHIP:
Director
REFEREE 2 RESPONSE:
Position / Role Held:
Director
Length of time you have known applicant:
9 years
In what capacity have you worked with the applicant and when?
I directed xxxx in a production of Hänsel & Gretel at the Wexford Festival in 2015, where I also saw her perform the role of Jeanne in Koanga on the main stage.
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 warmly recommend xxxx for the SWAP'ra Retreat. Frances played the Sandman in a production of Hänsel & Gretel which I directed at the Wexford Festival in 2015. The nature of the show was that we treated it as an ensemble piece, with each cast member taking on multiple extra duties beyond their allocated role. xxxx launched herself into the production process with a huge amount of energy, good humour and talent. She sang the Sandman beautifully and took on extra challenges such as mask work and puppetry. She was generous in her support of her colleagues too. The fact that she was performing at the Wexford Festival at that point demonstrates a proven ability and potential to build a successful career in opera / classical singing. She had no trouble with anything asked of her and ultimately produced an excellent performance. I haven't had a huge amount of contact with xxxx since then, but we have stayed in touch and I've been inspired by her entrepreneurship in setting up a tie-die clothing business during the pandemic. This shows what an impressive person she is, which bodes well for her ability to build a thriving opera business. I know really well the challenges of raising children whilst trying to maintain an opera career, and think it would be great if xxxx could be included on this inspiring retreat.