Emily Gottlieb Chief Executive Expand Emily has been Chief Executive of the National Opera Studio since 2015. Prior to this, she spent 15 years with the Royal Opera House; first as Stage Manager, managing over 60 productions for the Royal Opera, and then taking a leading role under CEO Alex Beard in the organisational development of the ROH, designing and developing their first Internal Engagement Programme. She was the first ever Consortium-supported Performing Arts Fellow on the Clore Leadership Programme in 2012-13. She has worked in leading opera companies around the world, as stage designer, company manager or stage manager, including Glyndebourne Festival Opera, Victoria State Opera, European Union Opera and Grange Park Opera. She is the Chair of Trustees of Visible Theatre Ensemble, a Trustee of the Buxton International Festival and the Wandworth BID, a Fellow of the Royal Society for Arts and a relational dynamics coach. She is a keen cook and loves wildlife, with an especial fondness for the giraffe.
David Sulkin OBE Director of Artist Development Expand David has been at the forefront of change, development and learning and participation while directing and supporting young artists since he graduated in Theatre Arts from the Rose Bruford College in the 1970s. He was Director of the Royal Court Young People's Theatre during which time he was awarded an Anglo-Soviet Study Scholarship and also assisted with the creation of Interplay - the International Festival of Young Playwrights. He was Co-founder and Director of the Baylis Programme at English National Opera, visiting Director of Janáček in Hukvakdy, Director of Policy and Programmes at Youth Music and Executive Director of Help Musicians UK. As well as working at the National Opera Studio he is currently finishing work on a play about Leoš Janáček. He is chairman of the Sing Up Foundation. David was awarded the OBE in HM The Queen's New Year's Honours in 2014 for his work in the arts, education and charity. David spends time motorcycling, making jam and chutney and training his cat, Finsbury Circus, to do tricks.
Mark Shanahan Head of Music Expand Mark studied at Chetham's school of Music and London University before joining the post-graduate conducting course at the Royal Academy of Music as the Sir Henry Wood conducting Scholar. Mark’s orchestral work includes broadcasts and concerts with the BBC, National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, RTE Concert Orchestra, Stavanger Symphony, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Welsh National Opera Orchestra and The English Northern Philharmonia, he is Artistic Director of Forest Philharmonic Orchestra. He held the position of Principal Guest conductor of the Netherlands Symphony Orchestra for six years. Mark has worked in opera throughout the UK, including productions for English National Opera, Opera North and Grange Park Opera. Internationally, Mark has conducted for Opera Ireland, and the Wexford Festival. He made his French debut with Nantes-Angers Opera for their acclaimed production of Jenůfa which was awarded the Claude Rostand Critique award leading to extensive operatic work across France, Italy and Germany. Most recently he conducted Carmen for Frankfurt Opera. He also made his symphonic debut in Paris with the Orchestre Lamoureux and at Opera de Nancy with a new production of Katya Kabanova. Outside of opera, Mark's interests include history, design and architecture.
Dearbhla Collins Assistant Head of Music Expand Dearbhla Collins is one of Ireland’s finest pianists. She is most well known as a song pianist and performs recitals with singers such as Benjamin Appl, Patricia Bardon and Tara Erraught. She also regularly works with Dame Ann Murray and Brigitte Fassbaender. As well as being the Assistant Head of Music at the National Opera Studio, she is the senior vocal coach at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, Dublin. She has also coached in the Universität für Musik, Vienna, in Zurich and the Beijing Central Conservatory. She is the founder and Artistic Director of Dublin Song Series which puts on song recitals in Dublin at the National Concert Hall and the Hugh lane Municipal Art Gallery. Dearbhla is the Artistic Administrator of the Veronica Dunne International Singing Competition, previous winners of which include Nadine Sierra, Fatma Said and William Thomas. In October 2017 she was awarded an honorary doctorate for her services to music in Ireland from the National University of Ireland.
Albina Belabiod Artistic Planning Manager Expand Albina joined the National Opera Studio in September 2019 as Artistic Planning Manager. Born and raised in Paris, Albina graduated from the Paris Sorbonne-Nouvelle in Literature, going on to study Advertising at the London College of Communications. She pursued her musical studies in parallel, studying piano and flute, and gaining a Gold Medal in the recorder. Passionate about opera and classical music, Albina has worked for a radio station for nearly 10 years, producing and hosting daily live classical music programmes. Having developed an interest in writing, she has contributed to publications for the Verbier Festival, Philharmonie de Paris and Les Grandes Voix for several years, before starting a managerial associate position at IMG Artists Vocal Department. She is a member of Paris’ Wagner Circle and Friend+ of The Royal Opera House. Outside of opera, Albina's passions include cats, Christmas and French reality TV.
Nicholas Boyd-Vaughan Head of Communications Expand Nicholas joined the National Opera Studio in October 2016 and is responsible for all of the Studio’s communications, branding, website and marketing. Nicholas displayed a talent for music from an early age and studied voice under NOS alumnus Mark Luther. His recognised talents led to acceptance into the National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth and the Royal College of Music Junior Department, following which, he was awarded a major scholarship to the Vocal and Opera department of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. On completing his studies, Nicholas joined the press office of the Royal Opera House, firstly attached to the Learning and Participation team and ROH2, and then to The Royal Opera. In 2011, Nicholas joined the Concerts Team at St Martin-in-the-Fields, where he was responsible for the artistic direction of the Lunchtime Concert Series, the founding of St Martin’s Embassy and Cultural Institute Series, the creation of the myStMartin’s membership scheme, and the marketing of over 400 concerts each year. Nicholas is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations and the Arts Marketing Association. He sits on the board of Pegasus Opera and lectures in Arts Marketing for the MA Arts Management and MA Classical Music Business courses at Middlesex University. When not at the Studio, Nicholas plays rugby for a team in Northampton – badly.
Nicholas Simpson Head of Finance and Operations Expand Nicholas joined the National Opera Studio in May 2019, having previously been Company Manager at The Grange Festival. Prior to that, Nicholas was the General Manager of Opera Lyrica. Nicholas is also a trustee of Opera Prelude. Nicholas is currently finishing his MBA at Saïd Business School (University of Oxford), sponsored by the Linbury Trust. As an undergraduate, he studied Music at St Edmund Hall, Oxford, and was a choral scholar. Outside of work, he sings bass with Vivamus choir and enjoys sailing.
Robert Moffat Head of Philanthropy Expand Robert has over twenty years experience in arts fundraising, mainly in opera where he has been involved with English Touring Opera, The Garden Venture, The BBC Cardiff Singer of the World, The Sixteen and Opera Rara. In addition he worked for several years for the innovative sustainable energy charity Ashden. He is committed to widening the diversity of funding wherever he works and to seeking innovative solutions to make projects happen. A keen amateur singer he is Chairman of the renowned English Chamber Choir.
Luisa Kent Finance Administrator Expand Luisa started at the National Opera Studio in September 2019 as the Financial Administrator. She is going into her fourth year of Accountancy at the University of Reading where she is currently studying towards her ACA chartered accountancy qualification having undertaken placements with PwC. She has represented both the University and PwC during this time as a brand ambassador, including being on a panel about Women in Business. Luisa has been in the National Youth Choir and Taplow Youth Choir, which has given her the platform to sing solo on various European tours, notably The Estate Theatre, Prague, St Francis of Assisi Basilica, Assisi and St Georges Chapel, Windsor. She has also achieved her Diploma (DipABRSM) in Singing. Outside of all things musical and financial, Luisa enjoys convincing herself to go to the gym, travelling and over enthusiastically dancing in Popworld.
Natalya Best-Forbes Studio Coordinator Expand Natalya has been with the National Opera Studio since September 2016. She coordinates the NOS's rehearsal room hires, facilities management, and the auditions process. Natalya also runs the Friends of the National Opera Studio and coordinates the Diverse Voices programme. Natalya read History at the University of Roehampton and also has experience working as the Creative Assistant at Woolwich Opera Works and the Gallery London. Natalya volunteers at Somerset House, has interned at an event management company which specialises in music events, and has a wealth of experience working in the hospitality industry. Natalya is also a visual artist and has curated and exhibited her work twice in South East London. Natalya is running her first half-marathon in 2019 and has a passion for cheese, both edible and musical.
Remon Gabrael Caretaker Expand Remon has worked at the National Opera Studio since 2007. Born in Baghdad, Iraq, Remon moved to the United Kingdom in 1993, where he gained his SIA licence and began running security for several organisations around South London. As well as being responsible for performing maintenance on The Clore Building, Remon acts as Duty Manager for all external hires and performances. Remon is a qualified fire marshal and first-aider, and is trained in extended evacuation techniques. Remon holds a degree in Engineering from Baghdad University, and as well as his love of opera, enjoys football (Manchester United) and spending time with his family.