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NewsletterOur outreach work is designed to encourage young people from diverse backgrounds to explore the possibilities and opportunities of a career in opera. While our primary focus is on developing skills in solo dramatic singing, we also emphasise introducing young singers to the world of music theatre.
Wandsworth Music Collaboration
In our home borough of Wandsworth, we have been working closely with Wandsworth Music, now one of our key outreach partners. Our collaboration provides a specialist focus on developing interest and skills in solo singing for musical theatre and opera.
In 2025, Shakira Tsindos (NOS 2021-22) has been organising coaching sessions for Wandsworth secondary school choirs in preparation for their Royal Albert Hall performance. This initiative includes:
- NOS alums coaching secondary school choirs.
- One-to-one lessons at NOS led by Rosalind Dobson (NOS 2023-24) and Shakira Tsindos (NOS 2021-22) with pupils from Ark Bolingbroke, Burntwood, Graveney, Wandsworth Youth Choir and Saint Cecilia’s Church of England School.
- A total of 24 secondary school singers receiving coaching over four Saturdays.
This work is made possible through funding from the Vernon Ellis Foundation.
We also conducted over 20 workshops for local secondary schools, including Ark Bolingbroke, Graveney, Wandsworth Youth Choir, Ark Putney and Saint Cecilia’s Church of England School, exploring classical singing vocal techniques in preparation for WMH’s concert at the Royal Albert Hall. This project involved:
- Over 200 secondary school singers.
- Over 500 primary school singers.
- Participation of our alums and Young Artists, serving as role models and inspiring students.
Masterclass at World Heart Beat, Wandsworth
NOS Senior Staff Coach, Allyson Devenish, led a masterclass for seven young pianists (ages 14-23), focusing on playing opera reductions and accompanying singers. They worked on Deh! vieni non tardar Le Nozze di Figaro and an aria from Julian Joseph’s opera Bridgetower. Composer Julian Joseph in attendance, concluding the evening by playing through his aria with soprano Ceferina Penny.
