Generously supported by Philip Carne
British pianist Jacob Swindells was the Sir John Fisher Foundation Junior Repetiteur Fellow at the Royal Northern College of Music from 2021-2023. He previously graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Oxford University and a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Yale School of Music.
As the repetiteur for RNCM Opera, he worked on Ariadne auf Naxos, Menotti’s The Medium, Le Nozze di Figaro, Die Fledermaus, and Jonathan Dove’s Mansfield Park with conductors such as Peter Robinson, Peter Whelan, David Parry, and Lee Reynolds. He performed in the pit orchestra in Ariadne auf Naxos, played fortepiano continuo in Le Nozze di Figaro, and accompanied masterclasses with Dame Ann Murray. He also performed a variety of operatic excerpts for RNCM Opera Scenes and worked as chorus master and vocal coach for Explore@RNCM’s production of Sondheim’s Into the Woods.
He worked as assistant music director on Cavalleria Rusticana/ Pagliacci (Opera on Location), as repetiteur for a semi-staged performance of the same piece with the Slaithwaite Philharmonic Orchestra, and on La Sonnambula (Buxton International Festival).
His recital experience includes opera galas for the Bridgewater Hall Lunchtime series in Manchester, Grange-Over-Sands Concert Club, and Live at St Wilfrid’s. He also accompanied soprano Rachel Speirs as part of a gala concert to celebrate the 120th anniversary of the Buxton Opera House.
He has participated in educational projects, working with the Buxton International Festival in primary schools across Derbyshire. He was also the assistant musical director of the West Sussex Youth Choirs and has worked as a piano and vocal tutor in schools across London and West Sussex.
He has been active as a conductor, particularly in choral music. He was the musical director of Real Voices Crystal Palace, The University Church in Yale, Oxford University Chorus, and St Andrew’s Hove. He was also the conductor of the Oxford University Philharmonia and Oxford University String Ensemble.
He holds a licentiate piano diploma from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and has studied with Anthony Purkiss, Graham Fitch, and Kevin Thraves.
Updated July 2023. This biography should not be reproduced without asking permission from the National Opera Studio.