Isobel Flinn studied at the Royal Manchester College of Music where she graduated in both piano and singing. She joined the staff there as an accompanist and later worked in the opera department. After working on the music staff at Glyndebourne she returned to the college and became Head of Opera Music Staff. In 1979 she was invited to join the National Opera Studio during its opening year as assistant to Martin Isepp, Head of Music. Later she became Head of Studies, a post she held until July 2004. She has also worked as a coach at BYO, at the University of Victoria, British Columbia, at the University of Auckland, the Conservatory in Brisbane and at the Foundation de Voix, Royaumont in France.