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
Feb 13, 1992
NUMBER OF CHILDREN AND THEIR AGES:
Two children. Ages 5 and 4 years old
ARTISTIC TRAINING AND ACHIEVEMENTS PRIOR TO BIRTH OF FIRST CHILD:
I completed my undergraduate degree at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama before moving to London to embark upon Masters and then Opera School courses at the Royal Academy of Music. Two and a half years in, I realised that I needed a complete change of teacher and technique. After finding the person who suited my needs, we began breaking down barriers and rebuilding technically. At the end of the Opera School, I still felt that this new way of singing was not yet stable and so, I stayed for an additional year no an Advanced Diploma in Performance course. During this time, my husband and I fell pregnant with our first child.
WHY DO YOU WANT TO TAKE PART IN THE SWAP'RA RETREAT?
Music college was a frustrating experience as I was continually given contradictory advice on what voice type I was a psychological barrier. I never discovered who I was as an authentic artist in my own right. As things improved technically, and constrictive frustrations were lifting, I fell pregnant. At the end of my course, my husband and I welcomed our son into the world. I'd always thought that I would get back to singing quickly post children, but I realised how precious time was. I didn't want to miss my chance to nurture my son and aid his development in those formative years. We then welcomed my daughter into the family in 2020. Fast forward to this year, with my son happily settled into school and my daughter thriving at nursery, I felt it was time to ease back into the industry. I managed a successful round of auditions, an incredibly daunting experience after a near four year gap, and secured a festival contract. This was an enormous shock to the system. Not only in terms of vocal stamina and dramatic intention, but I also experienced a whirlwind of emotions; I had major impostor syndrome and intrusive thoughts crept in such as; "You don't know what you're doing" and "I'm not good enough", I felt anxiety - something I'd never experienced, to the point of not wanting to eat and with a knot permanently in my stomach, I felt totally out of my depth and had a huge creative block. Despite this inner turmoil, I discovered how much I had missed singing and everything it entails. It felt like a huge void I wasn't even aware of, was suddenly and wholly filled. This experience of psychological self-sabotage and doubt made me realise that I needed to learn the relevant tools to help myself overcome those feelings and to mute that internal voice of negativity, which had completely taken over and was debilitating. I don't think I'd ever considered the impact of transitioning from a student singer to a professional parent, and the demands that arise with this new identity. Even physically, having gone through childbirth, the impacts of that on my body is something I'm still negotiating and making new discoveries with.
I believe that SWAP'ra can aid me to develop these tools and skills and most importantly, provide a safe and non judgemental space in doing so. The value of being surrounded by a small group of people who are in a similar boat, all working towards the same goal of negotiating and balancing a career alongside family life would be irreplaceable.
DESCRIBE YOUR PRESENT LIFE AS AN ARTIST AND PLANS FOR THE FUTURE:
My first contract back has been a festival contract with Garsington for their 2024 season. I was originally contracted for two productions and a main cover role, but was fortunate enough to be asked to take part in their community opera in addition, which was Andrew Norman's A Trip to the Moon. I couldn't have hoped for a more supportive environment to work in, especially being my first for a few years. As a young artist, we were given several developmental talks and workshops, including an incredible breath-work workshop with Ann Coxhead, and a vocal health seminar with Declan Costello. Such invaluable opportunities for personal growth. I was also lucky enough in having the opportunity to perform my cover role in full, during the stage and orchestras and piano dress rehearsals. This experience really lit a fire in me, and I have a new-found drive and ambition to fully immerse myself into the world of opera and to forge a career here. With that in mind, I am regularly working with Raymond Connell, and I have coachings with Jonathan Papp and Gail Pearson as often as possible, and am also organising to sing for Christine Rice in order to glean vocal and repertory advice. I am in the midst of audition season for 2025, and presently, have sung for Garsington and Grange Park Opera, with offers from both on the table, and have an upcoming audition with Glyndebourne. I have also applied for an audition with The Grange Festival. Seeing as my daughter is not yet in school, I would very much like to aim for UK based work over the next couple of years and build up my experience and repertoire during this time, before branching off in search of further work opportunities overseas. I'm very interested in working in Germany, and am therefore beginning steps to get my German language skills up to the necessary standard.
DO YOU ENVISAGE BRINGING YOUR CHILDREN WITH YOU ON THE COURSE?
No, I would make arrangements for my children to stay home with family members as my son would still have a couple of days of school during the course duration.
REFEREE information:
REFEREE 1 NAME:
Raymond Connell
REFEREE 1 EMAIL:
REFEREE 1 RELATIONSHIP:
Vocal Teacher
REFEREE 1 RESPONSE:
Position / Role Held:
Professor of Voice
Length of time you have known applicant:
6 years
In what capacity have you worked with the applicant and when?
I have taught xxxx singing for the past 6 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:
Yes. xxxx is a very impressive Dramatic Mezzo-Soprano with a generous warm, rich and vibrant tone capable of great nuance and expression. Her languages are expressive and nuanced, her musicianship is exemplary, and she is a very capable and creative actor and performer. She has delivered excellence in the roles she has performed as part of her course of study at The Royal Academy of Music, with the Solti Academy and most recently as a young artist with Garsington Opera. I would like to make special mention of xxxx's artistry. She is highly gifted in sculpting dramatic characters and musical phrases with impressive nuance, emotional intensity and gifted use of language. Her Italian repertoire is impressive and her recent forays into the Wagnerian repertoire are impressive. I believe she has the vocal size and quality, the artistic integrity and individuality and the mindset of an exceptional singer.
Any other comments:
I ask that you give xxxx your fullest consideration.
REFEREE 2 NAME:
Gail Pearson
REFEREE 2 EMAIL:
REFEREE 2 RELATIONSHIP:
Vocal Teacher
REFEREE 2 RESPONSE:
Position / Role Held:
Voice Teacher
Length of time you have known applicant:
Around 15 years
In what capacity have you worked with the applicant and when?
Teacher at RWCMD for 4 years then privately since
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, I recommend xxxx for the SWAP’ra retreat. She is a very fine singer who should be doing more work. She has huge potential and I wish I could wave a magic wand to find her work.