School of Vocal Studies and Opera
The inspirational training provided by our School of Vocal Studies and Opera is renowned the world over.
Drawing on the expertise of our dedicated tutors, behind the scenes staff and professional partners, the unique and carefully curated programme provides young singers with the necessary skills and real-world experience to develop long and successful careers.
Intensive one-to-one tuition and ensemble coaching is complemented by masterclasses and an array of specialist classes designed to enhance your dramatic, language, stagecraft and musicianship skills. You’ll also have opportunities to take to the stage through recitals, concerts and biannual Opera Scenes, ensembles such as the RNCM Chamber Choir and RNCM Songsters, a host of internal competitions and external engagements, and our fully-staged RNCM Opera productions. Open to vocalists in all years, these take place in our purpose-built Theatre twice a year and are produced by a guest creative team, ensuring you receive first-hand industry knowledge as you study.
Our exclusive partnerships with Opera North, Buxton International Festival and Edvard Grieg Kor in Norway provide enviable opportunities for further professional development, and we’re fortunate to be the home of postgraduate Répétiteur Studies, providing intensive training for pianists wishing to enhance their skills in this area.
For more information on the audition process and requirements for the School of Vocal Studies and Opera, click here.
Further Information
Vocal Studies and Opera Staff
International Chair in Singing
Ann Murray DBE
Head of Vocal Studies and Opera
Professor Lynne Dawson MIL, FRNCM
Deputy Head of Vocal Studies
Nico de Villiers PhD FHEA
Deputy Head of Opera
Kevin Thraves DipRCM (Hons)
Full Time Senior Tutor
Sheldon Miller
Principal Study Vocal Tutors
Matthew Best MA Cantab
Professor Lynne Dawson FRNCM
Sandra Dugdale AGSM
Jane Irwin PGDipRNCM
Michael Harper MMus
Eiddwen Harrhy HonD Litt
Quentin Hayes AGSM
Andrew Heggie PGDipRNCM
Paul Nilon PPRNCM
Mary Plazas PPRNCM
Deborah Rees PPRNCM
Sarah Rhodes AGSM
Linda Richardson PGDipRNCM
Elizabeth Ritchie
Susan Roper PGDipRNCM
Thomas Schulze
Antonia Sotgiu GRNCM
Hilary Summers BA (Hons)
Peter Alexander Wilson DipRSAMD
Louise Winter PPRNCM
Recent International Visiting Tutors
Susan Bullock CBE
Michael Chance CBE
James Gilchrist
Della Jones
Ann Murray
Professor David Owen Norris
Christopher Purves
Amanda Roocroft
Toby Spence
Sir John Tomlinson CBE
Roderick Williams OBE
Repertoire and Song Class Tutors
Professor Lynne Dawson MIL, FRNCM
Nataliya Kompaniyets-Jouri PGCertPAE, FHEA
Deborah Rees PPRNCM
Thomas Schulze
Antonia Sotgiu GRNCM
Florence Daguerre de Hureaux
Tutors in Operatic Repertoire and Visiting Repetiteurs
Hein Boterberg (International Opera Academy – Belgium)
Derek Clark (Scottish Opera)
David Cowan (Opera North)
Caroline Dowdle
Isobel Flinn
David Gowland (Jette Parker – Royal Opera House)
Paul Wynne Griffiths (Royal Opera House)
Robin Humphreys PPRNCM
Adrian Kelly (Buxton Festival)
Steven Maughan (Glyndebourne)
Russell Medley ARNCM
Sheldon Miller
Martin Pickard (Opera North)
Michael Pollock
Kevin Thraves DipRCM
Philip Voldman
Tutors in Stagecraft, Voice and Speech, Stage Combat and Physical Awareness
Jonathan Cocker BA (Hons)
Kenan Ali PGCE
Nicholas Shaw
Bethan Rhys Wiliam Advance HE
Tutors in Academic Language Classes
Sabrina Wagner MA
Antonio Tilli Dottore in Lettere Moderne (Chieti)
Alexander Vonrospach MA
Tutors in Vocal Health and Speech Therapy
Frances Ascott MRCSLT, Lead Speech and Language Therapist (Manchester Royal Infirmary)
Dr Ron Morris PhD
Principal Study Options
Singing
Repetiteur Studies (postgraduate only)
Available Courses
Undergraduate:
Bachelor of Music with Honours
Graduate Diploma of the RNCM/Bachelor of Music with Honours
Postgraduate:
Master of Music
Master of Performance
Postgraduate Diploma: Advanced Studies
Postgraduate Diploma in Solo Performance/Vocal Studies and Opera (IAD)
PGCE in Music with Specialist Instrumental Teaching
Research Degrees
Contact Us
School of Vocal Studies and Opera Administrator
E [email protected]
T 0161 907 5221
Admissions and Course Enquiries
E [email protected]
T 0161 907 5465
