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
Aug 29, 1990
NUMBER OF CHILDREN AND THEIR AGES:
1 years old and 3 years old (2)
ARTISTIC TRAINING AND ACHIEVEMENTS PRIOR TO BIRTH OF FIRST CHILD:
I began at the RNCM under the tutelage of Mary Plazas, Bmus(Hons) and PGDip in Vocal and Opera Studies. Whilst studying, I was awarded the Dame Eva Turner Prize and was a finalist in the Elizabeth Harwood Prize. I moved back to Glasgow to study at the RCS with Wilma MacDougall. I was fast tracked onto the Alexander Gibson Opera School and won the Ye Cronies Opera Prize. My highlight was performing the role of Lauretta in Gianni Schicchi. My first professional role was Emily in the world premiere of 'Emily' by Tim Benjamin. I performed in another contemporary opera, 'Mysterious 44' by Kevin Malone (World Premiere). I was grateful to forge relationships with Manchester Opera Ensemble where I performed the roles of Miss Jessel, 'The Turn of the Screw'; Dolcina, 'Suor Angelica'. For Scottish Opera, I performed as ‘Nun’ in Prokofiev’s 'The fiery Angel', Mary, 'Amadeus and the Bard' and appeared in Scottish Opera’s Pop-Up Opera Tour as various roles ('20-'21).
WHY DO YOU WANT TO TAKE PART IN THE SWAP'RA RETREAT?
Motherhood has been a true blessing as well as the hardest years of my life. It has caused me to rebuild my life and career. In 2021 I was pregnant with twins and gave birth prematurely at 33 weeks where my daughter was still born. I was left shattered, having to navigate motherhood for the first time with my son as well as grieving the biggest loss. I am so proud of the mother and person I have become, and we grew our brood in 2023 with another daughter. I have dedicated the last couple years on my family and recovery. However, I have felt incomplete and yearn for opportunities to get back performing. Singing has helped me begin the healing process. It brings me so much joy and closeness to my children. I was performing on tour whilst pregnant with the twins so there is a positive connection with singing. Now, with two little ones, I am ready to gain the control back in my career. This retreat will allow me to rebuild as a singer. I am excited to meet like-minded parents where I can build confidence and have the permission to be my authentic self. Getting back in touch with companies, a lot of the dialogue since being a mother is, ‘We think it might be too traumatising’, ‘You can’t tour with small children!’ I want to take back my own narrative show I am more than capable. I am raring to go. At the same time of losing Brora my agent disbanded due to Covid. It was a huge milestone to have representation as they believed I had a promising career. I have begun getting back out there and this would be the perfect step to gain the tools to be the best performer I can be, where I can present new recordings with new repertoire as my voice has matured, which is very exciting. Swap’ra champions the underdogs, and I would love to be a part of this supportive community in this new chapter as a performer-parent. Furthermore, the course is free. Financially, we have struggled due to taking some time away and the cost of coaching’s, lessons etc. have taken their toll. This retreat is so generous and would allow me to gain new experience and help develop my career without the burden of my socio-economic background. This retreat shows that parents deserve opportunities and support. Covid, motherhood, baby loss and finances have all been hard barriers to break down. I am more determined than ever to rebuild myself as an artist and would be so grateful for the opportunity to rebuild with Swap’ra. If I can sing after everything I have been through, I know I can do anything.
DESCRIBE YOUR PRESENT LIFE AS AN ARTIST AND PLANS FOR THE FUTURE:
Since coming back from Maternity leave in August I have taken the initiative to throw myself back into the industry. Throughout my pregnancies and post partem journeys I have continuously had singing lessons with Pat MacMahon who has given me the confidence to keep going. I have regular coaching with Michael Bawtree and have worked with Ingrid Sawyers on new recordings. For Opera companies, I am currently being considered for the role of Female Chorus for English Touring Opera's production of ‘The Rape of Lucretia’. I have successfully booked a project with Opera Caledonia ‘The Gentle Shepherd, a Scottish Opera’ where I will be accompanied by Derek Clark. I also have auditions with Welsh National Opera for their Associate Artist Programme, English National Opera, and Scottish Opera for roles. I am in talks with Scottish Opera Outreach about facilitating some projects which will inspire singing to people from difficult socio-economic backgrounds. In the meantime I am working on a concert tour of song as well as organising my first Charity Opera Gala for baby loss charities. It is a very exciting time as I am ready for what this industry has for me. Having a ‘gap’ in my CV because of parenthood and the trauma of losing a baby can feel as if I am not relevant when actually it was essential. To be recognised by major companies who want to hear me in roles is so exciting and to have more opportunities to do what I love is what I strive for. I am also in early communication with agents.
DO YOU ENVISAGE BRINGING YOUR CHILDREN WITH YOU ON THE COURSE?
It will depend on logistics with my husband's work. I am currently breastfeeding my 14 month old but they both have secured child care in Glasgow so it will depend. I believe there is something nice about sharing this experience with the children that made me a mum but I have yet to decide. The thought of uniting with like minded women and being fully present also appeals to me.
REFEREE information:
REFEREE 1 NAME:
Patricia MacMahon
REFEREE 1 EMAIL:
REFEREE 1 RELATIONSHIP:
singing teacher
REFEREE 1 RESPONSE:
Position / Role Held:
Singer & Vocal coach (teacher of singing at Royal Conservatoire of Scotland for 40 years
Length of time you have known applicant:
10 years
In what capacity have you worked with the applicant and when?
I worked with xxxx in performance classes at the Royal Northern College of Music in 2014/15 and then watched her progress when she moved to the MMus Opera Course at RCS with a full scholarship. I have taught her privately since she left in 2019. Such was her talent that she was "spotted" immediately by Scottish Opera and invited to sing in "Amadeus and the Bard " and "Pop Up Opera".
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 the greatest pleasure to recommend the work of xxxx. Blessed with a vivacious and generous personality, she projects her beautiful lyric soprano voice in performance with total commitment. All through her first pregnancy, she was working with Scottish Opera and it was such a tragedy that she lost one of her twins just before she was born. This was a very emotionally upsetting time, but she has since had another baby and is working very hard to prepare for auditions. She possesses great potential.
Any other comments:
xxxx has a voice of outstanding beauty and colour and is extremely responsive to any coaching. She possesses an instinctive musicality which permeates her performances. She has been very brave and courageous since the loss and has a very strong desire to work hard in order to regain a professional career. She is fully supported by her husband.
REFEREE 2 NAME:
Jane Davidson
REFEREE 2 EMAIL:
REFEREE 2 RELATIONSHIP:
employer, Director of Scottish Opera Outreach
REFEREE 2 RESPONSE:
Position / Role Held:
Director of Outreach & Education, Scottish Opera
Length of time you have known applicant:
5 years
In what capacity have you worked with the applicant and when?
xxxx has been contracted by Scottish Opera Education dept on a number of occasions over the past 5 years on various outreach programmes in a variety of soprano roles.
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:
xxxx's first contract with ny department was the year she graduated from RCS. The project was a small scale touring production featuring two recent graduate singers and 4 undergrad students studying singing (with a professional stage director, musical director and stage management team). The production (Amadeus & The Bard) was a 60 minute devised piece featuring excepts from Mozart's operas as well as traditional Scots songs with lyrics by Robert Burns with the objective of introducing both genres of music to audiences who may not be familiar with the work of either artist (who were almost exact contemporaries). xxxx proved herself to be a very appealing and communicative performer, with the capacity to shine in very diverse roles. She has toured with our Pop Up Opera company, playing roles from Mozart's Donna Anna & Zerlina as well as numerous Gilbert & Sullivan roles (in one tour!)
In my experience, she is always well prepared and has proven herself to be an artistically curious and intelligent performer. xxxx is an excellent company member who is a well liked, sensitive and supportive colleague. She has strong creative instrincts and brings a sense of flexibility and good humour into the rehearsal space. I would suggest that she would be a great asset to the group chosen to attend the SWAP'ra Retreat.
Any other comments:
In my view, xxxx has the drive and ability to carve out a viable professional career as a soprano - despite this very competitive industry.