Rosina Acosta Artistic Planning Manager Expand Rosina is responsible for the scheduling and busy day-to-day running of all training programmes and short courses, the management of artists and coaches, and the coordination of a number of projects throughout the year. Rosina trained as a violinist at the Royal College of Music where she took part in projects under the baton of Bernard Haitink, Vladimir Jurowski and Martyn Brabbins. She brings a wealth of administrative and house management experience having worked at a school and being part of the Front of House team at English National Opera where she's currently one of the Duty Managers.
Dearbhla Collins Artistic Consultant 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.
Clíodhna O’Connor Elite Performance Coach Expand Clíodhna O’ Connor is a well regarded and established coach and commentator on the Irish sports scene. While beginning her academic studies with a BA in English and Music (University College Dublin) Clíodhna’s career has focused on the world of sports performance working across many disciplines over the past decade. She is currently Head of Athlete Services and Lead Strength & Conditioning Coach for the Irish Senior Women’s Hockey Team, working alongside the Irish Institute of Sport as they prepare the team for qualification for the upcoming 2024 Olympics in Paris. With a Masters in Strength and Conditioning (St Mary’s University, Twickenham) and a Masters in International Communications (Dublin City University), she is currently undertaking a Professional Doctorate in Elite Performance in Sport (Dublin City University). A former athlete herself, Clíodhna was a long-serving footballer and first choice goalkeeper with the Dublin Senior Ladies Gaelic Football team (LGFA/GAA) between 2002 - 2014. She was a member of the Dublin team that won the All-Ireland Senior Ladies' Football Championship in 2010 and captain during the 2011 season. In 2004 and 2009 she was selected as an All Star and in 2010 was included in the LGFA/TG4 Team of the Decade. On retiring as a footballer in 2015, she shifted gears and took up rowing with Commercial Rowing Club, Dublin. In her professional life, Clíodhna’s work is firmly focussed on supporting athletes/performers to manage the demands of a high performing environment while maintaining their own general health and wellbeing. In tandem with individual programme design, she examines the environments created by coaches and sports staff alongside the attributes and behaviours of the performers themselves, ensuring the effective collaboration of interdisciplinary teams to provide impactful support for each performer.
Allyson Devenish Senior Staff Coach Expand Allyson Devenish grew up in Ottawa, Canada where she began her musical career, studying piano and violin privately, at the Conservatoire de Musique du Québec. She completed her undergraduate studies at Oberlin College (Ohio, USA), receiving a B.Mus. and B.A., and her postgraduate studies at the Royal Academy of Music. Allyson is the Artistic Director of NitroVox, and Co-artistic Director of the burgeoning Femmes Noires Féroces. She has recorded for the BBC, CBC, Radio France and RTE1 (Eire) and appeared as a guest on BBC R3 - Building A Library, Record Review, and in a live broadcast from the Royal Albert Hall. Her performance schedule has taken her to France, Italy, Portugal, Switzerland, Canada (Banff Centre, Koerner Hall, National Arts Centre), US, Caribbean and throughout the United Kingdom (including Wigmore Hall, Purcell Room, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Snape Maltings) As former Artistic Associate and Music Director with Nitro (Black Theatre Co-Op), she worked on projects such as Mass Carib (Lord Mayor’s Festival, Greenwich Festival, Hackney Empire), An Evening of Soul Food/African Cargo (Greenwich Theatre) and the acclaimed UK tour of Desert Boy. As the creative and directive force behind NitroVoX, she has directed the a cappella group in performances at the Bath Literature Festival (To Kill A Mockingbird), London Literature Festival (A Celebration of Maya Angelou) as well as recording for BBC Radio 4 (The Fisk Jubilee Singers). She has served as music director on countless other productions including the premiere of Looking At The Sun (Battersea Arts Centre), Kismet (Arcola), assisting on King, The Musical (Hackney Empire), Porgy and Bess (Lisbon), as well as productions and recordings for Tangle International, and LUNG Theatre. She made her stage directing début in 2022 with The Pocket (Melissa Jo Smith - Theatre Peckham). Allyson is a vocal coach with The National Opera Studio and guest tutor at Book, Music and Lyrics (www.bookmusicandlyrics.com). She was made a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Music in 2022.
Peter Di Toro Head of Marketing and Digital Expand Peter is responsible for the National Opera Studio’s communications, branding, website and marketing. He works closely with the Head of Philanthropy and the Chief Executive to ensure all communications reflect and augment the organisation’s vision and values. Peter brings a wealth of arts marketing experience to the Studio, having worked with orchestras, venues, record labels, festivals and artists. He joins the Studio from the Guildhall School where he led a nationwide branding project as part of the School’s new strategic plan to refocus its wide-reaching Guildhall Young Artists programme. Prior to this, Peter was Head of Marketing and Communications at the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, Marketing Executive for Classical Music at Barbican Centre and held marketing positions for numerous major and independent record labels, including Warner Classics, EMI Classics, Decca, Signum and Naïve. Peter’s love (more of an addiction!) of singing — and opera in particular — began at the age of 11 when he was selected by the Royal Opera House to be part of the children’s chorus in John Copley’s iconic production of La Bohème, featuring a fresh-faced, up-and-coming star by the name of Roberto Alagna. The production was subsequently filmed by the BBC and recorded on EMI Classics. Alongside his role at the Studio, Peter is an Arts Marketing Consultant and sings professionally for a number of choirs around the UK and abroad, including Collegium Vocale Gent, Gli Angeli Genève, Dunedin Consort, Polyphony and the Choir of the English Concert. Peter loves running, travelling, good coffee and terrible jokes.
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.
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 its 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. Emily is a Founder Director of Opera UK, the UK’s first sector support organisations for opera companies and individuals working in opera. Emily is also 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.
Andrew Griffiths Head Coach Expand Andrew Griffiths studied conducting under Martyn Brabbins in Glasgow, and trained as a répétiteur at the National Opera Studio and at Scottish Opera, before joining the Jette Parker Young Artist programme at The Royal Opera. He has conducted productions for The Royal Opera, Royal Ballet, WNO, Opera North, Opera Theatre Company, Mid Wales Opera, Bampton Classical Opera and Iford Arts, led concerts with the Royal Northern Sinfonia, Orchestra of the Swan and Southbank Sinfonia, and joined the music staff at Glyndebourne, ENO, Chicago Opera Theatre, BBC SO and BBC SSO. He is often engaged for projects outside the standard canon, and is particularly experienced in Baroque repertoire and the music of the last fifty years. In addition to his work in opera, Andrew is in constant demand as a choral director; he regularly broadcasts with the BBC Singers, and is Musical Director of Kingston Choral Society and chamber choir Londinium.
Jennifer Hawthorn Marketing and Fundraising Coordinator Expand Jenny graduated from Royal Holloway University in July 2022, where she was a music scholar, and went on to work for a Classical Music PR company for six months. Now at the National Opera Studio, Jenny supports with the delivery of marketing, fundraising and communications for the studio. Jenny’s earliest memories of singing was in her local parish church choir in Shropshire. Since then, she has gone on to sing for a number of choirs in the UK and abroad. Whilst at University, Jenny ran the opera society and directed their production of Bernstein’s Trouble in Tahiti, as well as organizing a number of recitals. In her free time, Jenny works as a freelance singer and is a very keen baker!
Ruth Lovett Diverse Voices Programme Manager & Studio Coordinator Expand Ruth began working at the Studio in 2022 as the Studio Coordinator before moving in her current position in August 2023. Alongside supporting the operational and administrative functions of the National Opera Studio, Ruth is responsible for the delivery and operational management of the Diverse Voices Programme. Since graduating from King’s College London, where she was a choral scholar, Ruth has gained significant EDI experience working in both the education and legal sectors. She has a master’s in law, specialising in constitutional law, from the University of Bristol and works as a freelance singer alongside her work. Outside of work Ruth play football (and loves dogs!).
Robert Moffat Head of Philanthropy Expand Robert had a successful career in financial services marketing before moving in to arts marketing, sponsorship and fundraising. A life-long opera fan he was closely involved with the establishment of English Touring Opera (then Opera 80). Robert was publicist for the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World for twelve years. He is a former General Manager of The Sixteen has also worked as Development Manager for English Touring Theatre, and latterly Opera Rara. Away from the arts Robert worked for several years for the innovative sustainable energy charity Ashden. He is particularly interested in widening sources of funding and in developing methods of assessing the impact of philanthropic investment. A keen singer Robert has sung with many groups and was for many years Chairman of the renowned English Chamber Choir with whom he still sings.
Elizabeth Rowe Senior Staff Coach Expand Elizabeth Rowe studied at Birmingham University, the Royal Academy of Music and the National Opera Studio before joining the music staff at English National Opera. Since leaving ENO, Elizabeth has worked as a free-lance vocal coach and répétiteur for numerous companies including: The Royal Opera, Oper Frankfurt, Canadian Opera Company, Opera Rara, Scottish Opera, Opera Holland Park, English Touring Opera and Birmingham Opera Company. She has also worked extensively on education and outreach projects for ENO Baylis, The Royal Opera, Glyndebourne, English Touring Opera and the Hackney Music Development Trust. Furthermore, Elizabeth was Head of Music for Opera Holland Park and Mid Wales Opera, Music Director for two Opera Highlights Tours at Scottish Opera and is the Music Director for Prologue Opera. Elizabeth is an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music, and holds several positions at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama where she works with postgraduates, fellows, and students on the Opera School. She is Senior Vocal Coach, English Language Coach, Head of the Répétiteur Course and Music Director for the Opera School Scenes. With an international reputation as a vocal coach in both opera and song, Elizabeth coaches both singers and pianists on some of the world’s most prestigious young artist programmes. These include: the Jette Parker Artist Programme at the Royal Opera, Canadian Opera Company’s Young Artist Ensemble, The Danish Royal Opera Academy, the National Opera Studio, the North Sea Vocal Academy and British Youth Opera. She has been guest Music Director for the Royal Danish Opera Academy, and led masterclasses in Belgrade for Operosa, the International Opera Training Organisation. Elizabeth is also a resident vocal coach for the Mediterranean Opera Studio in Sicily.
Nicholas Simpson Executive Director Expand Nick has worked at the National Opera Studio since May 2019, first as Head of Finance & Operations before moving into his current role in January 2022. Previously he has worked at The Grange Festival as Company Manager and as General Director of Opera Lyrica. In 2018 Nick took a break from his career to study for an MBA at Oxford’s Saïd Business School as a Linbury Scholar. Nick is passionate about the power of music to change lives, which is why he’s a Trustee of Into Opera. He is also a Director of the Wandsworth BID. Nick’s love of singing and of opera started when he was two; hearing Don Giovanni was the first time he’d been silent for two hours. He developed this as a music and choral scholar at school and university and still sings with a chamber choir in London.
Patricia St Hilaire Diverse Voices Consultant Expand Patricia has had an extensive career in the arts, social change and in retail business. In these areas she has drawn on her experience of studying drama at the Rose Bruford College in the 1980s. She now works as a life-coach and has moved back into the arts as project manager and consultant. Patricia was one of the co-founders of the radical Theatre of Black Women with writer, Bernardine Evaristo and director, Paulette Randell. Theatre of Black Women undertook writing, commissioning, performing, and touring in the UK and Europe. Patricia’s play, Just Another Day, was produced at the Royal Court Theatre as part of the Talking Black season. She worked with the ENO Baylis writing libretti for and directing two children’s opera in London schools. Following this, Patricia qualified as an arts administrator at City University when there were few black qualified arts managers. She went on to be a tutor on the Women into Arts Management programme at Birkbeck College, University of London. Later she went on to work in local government as trainer and partnership working in the field of children and families and provided leadership courses for London Boroughs of Croydon, Tower Hamlets, Hackney, Haringey and Islington. Patricia was asked to be Human Resources and Operations Director for Youth at Risk where she was responsible for the procurement of funds and the development of partnerships between the multi agencies. Then Patricia moved into the retail sector as an HR manager where she has developed her skills at both a local and regional level. She has worked as a senior HR partner to senior managers, implementing organisational restructuring and dealing with disciplinary issues, grievances, and performance management issues.
David Sulkin OBE Director of Artist Development Expand Throughout his career David has been at the forefront of change, development, learning and participation in the arts while often directing and supporting young artists. He graduated from the Rose Bruford College in the 1973. His first job was working in Nairobi, Kenya for two years before becoming a member of the Hoxton Hall Community Theatre and Education project in London in 1975. Later was he appointed as Director of the Royal Court Young People's Theatre and the Young Writers’ Festival during which time he was awarded an Anglo-Soviet Study Scholarship. He helped establish the International Festival of Young Playwrights in Sydney, Australia and was Co-founder and Director of the Baylis Programme at English National Opera. In the 1990s he became Associate Director of Janáček in Hukvaldy in the Czech Republic and Visiting Lecturer at RADA. In 1999 he was appointed Director of Policy and Programmes at the National Foundation of Youth Music and later became the Executive Director of Help Musicians UK. In 2021 David was appointed at Special Advisor – Learning and Participation at the National Theatre and State Opera in Prague. 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.