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 11, 1983
NUMBER OF CHILDREN AND THEIR AGES:
2 children, ages 3 and 1
ARTISTIC TRAINING AND ACHIEVEMENTS PRIOR TO BIRTH OF FIRST CHILD:
I graduated with MMus in Performance from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance with Distinction after my BMus from University of Surrey. Intensive training in Music has been present in all my academic life after I started my musical education at H.Wieniawski State Music Conservatoire at seven years old in my native Poland.
I took part in a masterclass with Kiri Te Kanawa, Anne Howells and Robert Tear as part of the BBC Radio 2 Kiri Prize whilst studying for my MMUS. After graduating I performed as a freelance opera singer in numerous recitals and concerts, with various conductors and opera companies, working predominantly with Villa InCanto, with whom I was engaged for five years performing mostly in Verona, Italy. I felt that my regular work with Villa InCanto and coaching from Maestro Riccardo Serenelli (Artistic director of Villa InCanto) enabled me to gain additional skills and experience while working alongside established opera singers.
WHY DO YOU WANT TO TAKE PART IN THE SWAP'RA RETREAT?
I had been developing my technique with my singing teacher John Evans and was getting to a point where I was happy to start auditioning for more established Opera companies. However, my husband and I also desperately wanted to start a family, and I knew my biological clock was ticking. We struggled to conceive so started down the long and daunting path of IVF. Also, at this time Covid and a lockdown started which delayed our treatment by 6 months making it even more stressful. It was however all worthwhile as we were blessed with a beautiful son.
Just as I was about to be finishing my maternity break and wanted to get back into singing, my husband was diagnosed with a rare type of brain tumour. This came as such a shock, whilst his health and hope for a successful surgery became my main priority. Thankfully surgery was positive and he’s now being monitored going forward.
Then much to our surprise just after my husband’s surgery we found out I was pregnant again, it happened naturally which was a miracle and now we have two wonderful, but never out of energy boys.
Life became even more busy and exhausting, during this time my Mum played a huge role in helping us with our children. My Mum and I had planned that once our first son started nursery in September 2023, she will be able to look after 1 child on her own whenever needed so I can focus on singing and auditions again. Unfortunately, in August 2023 she was diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer and only a month later passed away. My life was turned upside down again, it was devastating as she was my best friend, the most loving Mum and always my greatest support. I’ve been deeply grieving her loss but now I feel the time is right to be able to kick start my journey back into the world of performing that I love so much. Also, our eldest son shall be turning 4 next year and shall be starting school and the younger one started nursery this month so I feel I can now focus on getting back on track with my career.
When I read about the potential opportunity to be part of the SWAP’ra Retreat to allow myself to connect with other women who recently gave birth and to receive support and training to further develop my skills, rebuild my confidence and improve my emotional wellbeing it just felt like the perfect fit. In addition, the appealing fact that the retreat is sponsored and free of charge makes what would normally be inaccessible to me, accessible.
DESCRIBE YOUR PRESENT LIFE AS AN ARTIST AND PLANS FOR THE FUTURE:
Despite of having come across many obstacles (in addition to those resulting from having children) that prevented me from continuing with my professional career, the one thing that I definitely never stopped doing was singing, regularly practising and taking singing lessons. I just need it so much in life, just as I need oxygen to breathe, without that I don’t think I would have managed - I find singing so therapeutic. Therefore, I continued my singing lessons with my wonderful teacher John Evans focusing on improving my vocal technique and expanding my repertoire.
I’ve been looking after my two boys full time and my husband and I had no one to ask for help since my Mum passed away, so I’ve had no possibility to tackle my career, to go for auditions or even be in a position to accept any contracts. Since my husband was the only person earning in our household since each child reached the age of 9 months, that’s when my maternity allowance ended, hence we couldn’t afford a nanny. As such my present artistic life was practically non-existent (apart from practising and singing lessons). However now we are in a position where both our sons are attending nursery with the youngest one joining the older one literally this month, my current plan is to re-focus on my singing. I want to make some up to date recordings and look to perform in recitals and/or concerts (whether organised by myself or someone else), to help fully gain my confidence back. I also want to contact some choral, orchestral, music and arts festival societies to offer myself as a soloist and start applying to opera companies and agents for auditions. I am prepared to put in all my efforts to make my dreams realised.
DO YOU ENVISAGE BRINGING YOUR CHILDREN WITH YOU ON THE COURSE?
Potentially my husband and two children who shall be aged 2 and almost 4 next March.
REFEREE information:
REFEREE 1 NAME:
John Llewelyn Evans
REFEREE 1 EMAIL:
REFEREE 1 RELATIONSHIP:
Singing Teacher
REFEREE 1 RESPONSE:
Position / Role Held:
Voice teacher GSMD
Length of time you have known applicant:
9 years
In what capacity have you worked with the applicant and when?
As her singing teacher for the last 9 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:
Very much so. When I started working with xxxx, her voice was in a bad state, after an unsuccessful period at a conservatoire. It has been a long and arduous journey for her, but she has reached a point at which her voice can sound very beautiful indeed. As well has having had two children, her husband was diagnosed with a brain tumour (from which he has recently made an excellent recovery) which left her doing everything on her own for some time. Singing had to take a back seat, and she can’t get along often for lessons. I’ve always felt that hers is a very special voice, and feel that this course would benefit her hugely.
REFEREE 2 NAME:
Andrea Kmecova
REFEREE 2 EMAIL:
REFEREE 2 RELATIONSHIP:
Repetitour / Accompanist
REFEREE 2 RESPONSE:
Position / Role Held:
Accompanist, Repetiteur
Length of time you have known applicant:
10 years plus
In what capacity have you worked with the applicant and when?
I have worked with xxxx as part of Opera at Home's productions, such as Daphne by Strauss in 2015, independent recitals, and engagements in London and abroad. I also accompanied xxxx in her final year of graduating at Trinity College of Music, London.
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 pleased to recommend xxxx for the retreat, as I believe she is an outstanding candidate. When I first met xxxx during her exams at Trinity College of Music, where I served as a staff accompanist, I was immediately struck by her promising talent in opera. Since that time, we have had the opportunity to collaborate on various occasions, both in recitals and opera productions, giving me a firsthand view of her impressive career development. xxxx's performances with Opera at Home in London, Villa InCanto in Italy and the UK, which she undertook prior to her journey into motherhood, stand out in particular. These experiences highlighted her professionalism, dedication, and unwavering commitment to her craft. She consistently demonstrates remarkable focus and preparation, always ready to deliver a memorable performance. xxxx's beautiful, lyrical soprano voice holds great potential, and I am confident her career will continue to thrive. I recommend her without reservation.