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
Sep 15, 1982
NUMBER OF CHILDREN AND THEIR AGES:
3. 9, 4.5, 1
ARTISTIC TRAINING AND ACHIEVEMENTS PRIOR TO BIRTH OF FIRST CHILD:
I studied at Manhattan School of Music for my undergraduate degree and then studied privately with various teachers around the world. Auditioning and performing all along the way.
WHY DO YOU WANT TO TAKE PART IN THE SWAP'RA RETREAT?
After three kids, a music retreat sounds divine. All of the things one needs to recenter and help get those needed connections that one struggles to make when unable to stay late after a show for drinks cause school starts early and you have to be up with them. It would be so fantastic to work on these pieces in such an environment.
DESCRIBE YOUR PRESENT LIFE AS AN ARTIST AND PLANS FOR THE FUTURE:
I have three children-the eldest of which has special needs-which means time is at a premium in my home. Thankfully, I have wonderful helpers around me to give me about 5-10 hours a week to devote to music. My pianist comes to rehearse at my home so I can be present for my daughter and still create art.
I had my baby girl a little over a year ago and three months after her birth I performed a holiday concert. Feeding her between the dress rehearsal and concert was a unique experience!
My pianist and I are now preparing a concert tour to various European cities and select cities in the US. I would love this retreat to be a way to get to know other artists, collaborators, and experts in the UK as it can be difficult to get away for long stretches to do shows at this stage. And frankly, it sounds really wonderful.
DO YOU ENVISAGE BRINGING YOUR CHILDREN WITH YOU ON THE COURSE?
If it's possible, I would like bring my baby and my mother with me as she will still be rather young and I tend to not spend more than 2-3 days away from the babies till they are at least three.
REFEREE information:
REFEREE 1 NAME:
Jack Tyndale-Biscoe
REFEREE 1 EMAIL:
REFEREE 1 RELATIONSHIP:
Collaborative Pianist
REFEREE 1 RESPONSE:
Position / Role Held:
Co-Founder/Creative Director Maison Musicale, Artistic Director of MeloDictum & Partner of Duo Atlantis
Length of time you have known applicant:
3.5 years
In what capacity have you worked with the applicant and when?
Pianist and Partner in Duo Atlantis. We have performed multiple times in London, Edinburgh, Florence in 2022-2024 and will embark on a European/American Tour in 2025.
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 am writing to wholeheartedly support xxxx in her application to the SWAP’ra Retreat. As her musical partner and pianist, I have had the privilege of witnessing her remarkable dedication to the art of opera and art song, alongside her commitment to family life, including her profound dedication to raising a beautiful child with autism.
Throughout our collaborative journey, she has shown an unwavering commitment to not only maintaining, but propelling her career and is an inspiring resilience in balancing the demanding roles of mother and performer. Her golden tone, artistry, creativity, spontaneity, resilience, and perseverance make her exceptionally suited to benefit from and contribute to the transformative experiences of the SWAP’ra Retreat.
xxxx has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to her craft. At eight months pregnant and about to pop, she performed with grace and energy at St. Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh to a packed audience. Just a few months after her daughter's birth (whose middle name is Atlantis!), she returned to a busy performing schedule with our “a Tale of Two Worlds” tour, which will take us to celebrated venues including King’s Place, Carnegie Hall, Rudolfinum, and Musikverein in 2025. Her journey from childbirth back to a world-class performance schedule reflects her ability to harness inner strength and dedication.
I believe the SWAP’ra Retreat would provide her with the essential physical, emotional, and professional support to continue building on this momentum as she navigates the unique challenges of the opera industry as both an artist and mother.
I am confident that the SWAP’ra Retreat will be an ideal environment for xxxx to nurture her voice, confidence, and overall well-being among peers who share similar life experiences. She has a genuine passion for connecting with others through music and would find a meaningful support network in this retreat’s nurturing, understanding, and empowering atmosphere. I cannot overstate her enthusiasm for this opportunity and feel that it is a match made in heaven for her at this stage of her career.
REFEREE 2 NAME:
Brian Farrell
REFEREE 2 EMAIL:
REFEREE 2 RELATIONSHIP:
coach/teacher/collaborative pianist
REFEREE 2 RESPONSE:
Position / Role Held:
Faculty - Cal State University and Musical Director - Repertory Opera Company
Length of time you have known applicant:
16 years
In what capacity have you worked with the applicant and when?
I have worked with xxxx as both vocal coach and musical director for various operatic productions and recordings over the past 16 years.
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 have worked with xxxx as a musical director and vocal coach for the past sixteen years. xxxx possesses a powerful yet shimmering soprano voice that fits well in a wide variety of lyric to full lyric soprano repertoire. She also has an innate understanding of how to produce a beautiful legato line, an absolute necessity for mastering most types of singing. Her Mozart is world class and her Bel Canto is very special. xxxx is able to sing in a smooth and seamless manner throughout all her registers. Her repertoire includes baroque arias by Handel and Bach, arias by Mozart, Wagner, Verdi, Puccini, Massenet, as well as Marguerite in Faust and a large variety of art song including: Strauss Lieder, Debussy art songs, Faure songs, and Copland art songs. She is equally at home in English, Italian, French, German, and Spanish.
As a musician, xxxx exhibits two exceptional qualities in particular: a phenomenal memory and an uncanny ability to sightread difficult music well. I am always surprised that she almost never needs to look at the music on arias we're studying because she learned them so quickly.
xxxx is a dramatic force to be reckoned with on stage. Her characters exhibit a human quality and depth of feeling that is extremely rare among young opera singers. It is never overdone, but always touches the listener deeply.
Last, but perhaps most important, xxxx is a kind and compassionate human being. She is always respectful, positive, and professional in her dealings with others. She has a warm sense of humour that makes her a pleasure to be around. I highly recommend xxxx as a professional in your program.
Any other comments:
xxxx is a highly experienced performer who has worked with many professional opera coaches, teachers, and directors. Her knowledge, skills, and experience continue to give her a promising future as an operatic singer and performer.