Delivering Opera in Education & Community Settings

About the course 

Opera singers and repetiteurs are increasingly engaged in performances and activities across education and community settings – from schools and care homes to libraries, hospitals, sports arenas, and playgrounds. This work plays a vital role in inspiring the next generation of artists and audiences.

This short course will support singers and repetiteurs to develop creative and strategic approaches to this work, offering a beginner’s toolkit to build confidence and spark imagination.

Across the four days, participants will collaborate with schoolteachers, opera companies, and experienced artists working in opera education and engagement, with a focus on primary and secondary school activities. The course will culminate in a school visit and performance delivered to two local primary schools.

Do I have to pay? 

Thanks to the generous funding from the Kirby Laing Foundation, the course is free to participants. 

Who is it for? 

This short course is designed for singers aged 21+ eager to explore educational work in primary and secondary settings—no prior experience required.

Meet the team 

Course Leader: 

Genevieve Raghu  

Course Coordinator: 

Helen Maree Cooper 

Course delivered by: 

Alex Aitken, Musical Director, Pianist and Educationalist 

 Charles Béquignon-MacDougall, Tenor, Choral Director, Vocal Coach, Music Education Specialist and ABRSM Voices Consultant 

 Dominic Oldfield, Royal Ballet and Opera, Create & Sing Programme Manager, Learning and Participation 

 Genevieve Raghu, Artistic Director and Chief Executive of Into Opera, Education and Engagement Consultant at the National Opera Studio, Director and Librettist 

 Beth Warnock, Head of English National Opera Engage 

Number of places 

12 places available for singers

2 places available for repetiteurs

Eligibility Criteria:

 Age Requirement

• Applicants must be 21 years or older.
• There is no upper age limit

Artistic Foundations

For singers, applicants must be either:

• Working professionally in the opera sector, or
• Already trained or currently training at conservatoire level.
• They should demonstrate:
  • Advanced vocal technique across operatic repertoire.
  • Strong stagecraft and interpretive skills, with the ability to embody character and text effectively, and potential to adapt these skills across diverse performance settings.
  • Capacity to engage fully in an intensive short course, demonstrating discipline, adaptability, and collaborative practice consistent with professional standards.

For repetiteurs, applicants must be either:

• Working professionally as a repetiteur or accompanist
• Already trained or currently training at conservatoire level.
• They should demonstrate:
  • Technical advancement as pianists combined with strong collaborative skills and the ability to support singers musically across varied contexts.
  • Capacity to engage fully in an intensive short course, showing adaptability, discipline, responsiveness to direction, and commitment to ensemble practice.

 Application process 

Due to the limited number of spaces available, participants will be selected to create a well‑balanced group, reflecting a mix of experiences and backgrounds.

Applications are open until 19 January 2026, 10am, with results announced by 20 January 2026.

We are seeking applicants with a passion for education and community engagement. All applicants must demonstrate:

• Genuine curiosity about opera’s role in education and community settings
• A clear desire to develop the skills to deliver opera in schools, youth, and community contexts
• Commitment to cultural equity and inclusivity, ensuring opera is accessible and relevant to diverse audiences

Application requirements:

• Completed application form
• Video submission: One operatic aria or excerpt (maximum 4 minutes) to demonstrate vocal technique and artistry
• CV: An outline of all training, education, and professional experience

Applications are now closed.