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
Dec 31, 1985
NUMBER OF CHILDREN AND THEIR AGES:
One child, age 26 months
ARTISTIC TRAINING AND ACHIEVEMENTS PRIOR TO BIRTH OF FIRST CHILD:
Training:
RWCMD MA in Opera Performance: Distinction 2010-2012
ENO Opera Works 2012-2013
National Opera Studio 2013-2014
ENO Harewood Artist 2014-2020
Principle roles with:
ENO, WNO, Royal Opera House, Opera Holland Park, Nederlandse Reisopera, Opéra national du Rhin, Longborough Festival Opera, Waterperry Opera Festival, Semperoper Dresden and the Royal Ballet.
WHY DO YOU WANT TO TAKE PART IN THE SWAP'RA RETREAT?
Life as a freelance opera singer always has challenges, but maybe never more so than when you are also a full-time mum to a very young child. Suddenly the luxuries of time, sleep, focus, support and finances are stretched very thin. This retreat has clearly been designed by people in the industry who understand these challenges, as what is on offer seems priceless and considerate of what is so desperately needed. This retreat could provide a unique opportunity for some time away from mum life, and refocus and re-energise the skills and confidence required to continue to strive for an operatic career. The industry continues to go through a very challenging time and to be at all competitive and with a fighting chance of remaining a part of the industry, I would like to readdress the imbalance of mum life with more singing life.
DESCRIBE YOUR PRESENT LIFE AS AN ARTIST AND PLANS FOR THE FUTURE:
When time and finances allow, I am currently coaching with Andy Smith and Michael Pollock.
I have upcoming auditions with ETO and the National G&S Society.
Currently working towards new operatic repertoire and preparing for a Mozart Requiem and Respighi choral concert.
DO YOU ENVISAGE BRINGING YOUR CHILDREN WITH YOU ON THE COURSE?
I am hopeful that my parents will be able to provide childcare during this week and will not need to bring them on the course.
REFEREE information:
REFEREE 1 NAME:
Andrew Smith
REFEREE 1 EMAIL:
REFEREE 1 RELATIONSHIP:
Coach
REFEREE 1 RESPONSE:
Position / Role Held:
Music Staff ENO, Glyndebourne, Garsington, vocal coach at RAM
Length of time you have known applicant:
Over ten years
In what capacity have you worked with the applicant and when?
As a repetiteur I have worked with xxxx on numerous operatic projects at ENO and coached her in preparation for roles elsewhere.
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:
Having watched the video summarising SWAP’ra’s activities and ambitions I can think of literally no one more suitable for this programme. xxxx is a hardworking, intelligent singer of enormous promise, and roles at ETO and elsewhere in the coming months are testament to her quality. However she now faces all of the challenges that young mothers have to contend with including lack of sleep, feeling physically drained and finding time in her diary to squeeze in those valuable hours of practice and vocal discipline. SWAP’ra would be the ideal retreat for xxxx and I think would be an oasis of calm, collegiality and expert advice that would provide the fillip she needs. I recommend her wholeheartedly to your programme.
Any other comments:
She is an extremely pleasant and collegiate person who would be a valued, sociable addition to the group.
REFEREE 2 NAME:
Michael Pollock
REFEREE 2 EMAIL:
REFEREE 2 RELATIONSHIP:
Coach
REFEREE 2 RESPONSE:
Position / Role Held:
Freelance vocal coach
Length of time you have known applicant:
13 years
In what capacity have you worked with the applicant and when?
As vocal coach at RWCMD, NOS, ENO Harewood Artists and privately
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:
Having known xxxx from her student days and watched her develop into an international artist, I can attest to her consistently strong work ethic which has allowed her to maximise her vocal talents. She applies the same wholehearted commitment to being a mother to xxxx, and so the challenge for her is to find a way to combine these two aspects of her life without feeling that she is making compromises. This will certainly be the case in the early part of 2025 when she will be performing in a new production.
The SWAP'ra retreat will therefore come at an ideal juncture for her to refresh her energies and share her experiences and concerns as a singing mother: what she would take away from the retreat will sustain her for what promises to be a busy future as a working mother. I am happy to recommend her as an ideal candidate to qualify for the SWAP'ra retreat and to contribute to the camaraderie while reaping the benefits of what will be on offer.