About the Studio

The National Opera Studio (NOS) exists to train talented young musicians to become the leading artists of their generation.

Mission

We strive to elevate the future of opera by crafting the UK’s highest quality professional training for exceptional artists.

We equip artists for successful operatic careers by nurturing their talent, skills and connections. We use our deep expertise to tailor world-class training for each individual, supporting their evolution into the artist they want to be and engaging actively in their journey.

NOS is a visionary organisation, working to ensure that opera remains a beloved artform for the modern world. We shape the future through discovering and developing incredible artists, fostering partnerships with leading organisations and inspiring the wider public.

Values

Nurture, inspire and support talent.
Offer equally accessible opportunities.
Shape opera’s evolution at pace with the changing world.

Who are we?

The National Opera Studio offers expert, tailored training to a small number of exceptional opera singers and repetiteurs for free. They leave our nine-month Young Artist Programme with the artistry, confidence and contacts to thrive in a lifetime of opera. Our story goes back to 1948, and generations of our alum have worked in the world’s great houses, but we always look to the future and constantly evolve to the needs of the art form.

Three people in brightly coloured dresses on stage with their arms up in the air

Person playing piano reading sheet music

Who do we train?

National Opera Studio Young Artists come from any background, anywhere in the world. There is no upper age limit, but they are usually in their 20s or 30s. They may have studied at conservatoire or taken another path, but either way, they are passionate about opera and have more to discover about their own capabilities. They’re curious, ambitious and open, and want to explore their creative boundaries in a safe, nurturing, but challenging environment.

What makes the National Opera Studio unique?

Partnerships with the six national opera companies offer high-level opportunities, performances, residencies and networks
Training on our Young Artists Programme is completely free and is tailored to the individual needs of each artist
We work with world-renowned coaches
Our historic building houses state-of-the-art filming and livestreaming facilities
We place an equal emphasis on acting and stage presence
Small numbers offer unparalleled contact time
Our holistic outlook means we cover an unusually wide range of relevant areas of the profession
Good physical and mental health are fundamental in everything we teach
Our Sounding Board panel of professional opera singers helps to ensure that our work is always relevant and effective

“My time as a young singer at the National Opera Studio was so important because it set me upon with a work ethic which I have carried with me throughout my career. We were lucky enough to work with great singers, directors, conductors and coaches and as well as discovering new and exciting repertoire, we learned to perform not only as a soloist but also as part of an ensemble”

Susan Bullock CBE, soprano (1984/85 alum)

Why is our work important?

At the National Opera Studio we always look to the future and remain connected to the profession we serve.

Resilience

Technical and artistic excellence are vital for future generations of musicians but, in an increasingly competitive world, artists must also be mentally and physically resilient. Our holistic training sets singers and repetiteurs up both to succeed and thrive.
Inclusivity

We all bear responsibility for ensuring that future generations of musicians and audiences are representative of our society. The National Opera Studio is committed to making opera more inclusive and relevant through our Young Artist training programme and with our local outreach work.
Stagecraft

A key part of winning audiences to opera is how we communicate through stagecraft and acting. At the National Opera Studio they are an essential part of our training.
Technology

The future is increasingly technological, whether in auditions, performances or promotion, and we offer filming and livestreaming opportunities during the year through use of our cutting-edge audio-visual equipment. Our Young Artists are able to video performances and leave with high-quality recordings.

What we do

At its core, the National Opera Studio provides intensive and bespoke professional training at the highest level for a small number of singers and repetiteurs each year, and prepares them for life on an international operatic stage.

We work in partnership with not one, but six of the leading opera companies in the UK: English National Opera, Glyndebourne, Opera North, the Royal Opera House, Scottish Opera and Welsh National Opera. Our Young Artists are with us for nine months and undergo a rigorous programme that is individually designed around their particular vocal and developmental needs.

In addition to the tailored coaching programme, our Young Artists work closely with leading directors, conductors and opera orchestras to prepare opera scenes for public performance, as well as working with other artists who are leaders in their field. The intensity of the training programme is designed to create a working environment that reflects the professional opera world.

The difference we make

The National Opera Studio plays an essential part at the heart of opera training in the UK: our core purpose is the development of talent.

Young Artists undergo rigorous professional development programmes that are individually designed around their vocal and developmental needs. As we are not attached to one opera house, we are not subject to main stage activity and do not cast dependent on productions: we select young artists purely on merit. This means that we can give each artist the attention, focus and crucially, coaching hours, that is far more intense and individualised than on other young artist programmes. We also stand out for our emphasis on artist resilience and the profession itself, our unique partnerships with the opera companies, our national status and international outlook. Alongside our access to world-class coaches and artists and our focus on professional development, our independence and bespoke, tailored activity is key to our success.

“The NOS has a unique place in the fabric of British musical life. Taking young, post-college artists it toughens them up to the demands of a profession that is constantly changing, sending them out as mature, commercially viable singers and pianists, rather than gifted youngsters that cross the threshold six months earlier. NOS is a shining example of tough love at its best. With an inspired selection of coaches from different branches of the opera world they nurture and guide their trainees, while also exposing them to the reality of the formidable challenges ahead. The building has a wonderful energy within it, and I am in awe of the work ethic they promote. It is irreplaceable and deserves maximum support.”

Iain Burnside NOS Coach

The success of the NOS is reflected in the professional presence of our alumni in the UK and internationally. 96% of NOS singer alumni have been employed by at least one of our six partner companies. 76% have had international success in over 56 cities in 30 countries.

Our new vision and mission deepens and broadens our commitment to finding, developing and supporting diverse talent for a changing profession, as well as demonstrating leadership by facilitating conversation across the sector, while keeping our mission within the scope of the terms under which we were set up 40 years ago. We aim to make a significant contribution to the opera ecology and the wider creative and cultural life of the UK through the provision of top-quality training across all our programmes, through our engagement and position in the sector, through our partnerships and through public engagement.

Photo: Trystan Llyr Griffiths 2015