Free Youth Opera workshops

Applications are open.

We are pleased to announce the latest free workshops and taster days for Glyndebourne Youth Opera this autumn. These workshops are open to both new and existing members of GYO and are a fantastic opportunity to get involved.

Saturday 27 September, 10.00am-4.00pm at Heathfield Community Centre
GYO1 (aged 9-13 years)
Explore your voice and how to start developing a sound, healthy technique. Led by Glyndebourne’s Vocal Talent Consultant Mary King

Sunday 28 September, 10.00am-4.00pm, offsite
GYO2 (aged 14-19 years)
Explore your voice and how to start developing a sound, healthy technique. Led by Glyndebourne’s Vocal Talent Consultant Mary King

Saturday 11 October, 10.00am-4.00pm, Glyndebourne
GYO1 & 2 (aged 9-19 years), changed & changing voices
Explore the fundamentals of nurturing & developing the male voice in this active workshop led by vocal specialist and music director Travis Baker.

Sunday 12 October, 10.00am-2.00pm, Glyndebourne
GYO1 (aged 9-13 years)
Explore audition techniques, tips and tricks and work with a pianist to build your confidence when auditioning. The perfect preparation for our upcoming GYO auditions.

Tuesday 28 – Wednesday 29 October, 10.00am-4.00pm at Brighton Unitarian Church
GYO1 & 2 (aged 9-19 years)
In this workshop you will have the opportunity to create and stage your very own opera scenes. Bringing together solo and group singing and acting, focusing on joyful, creative music making. Discover the magic of opera!
Priority will be  given to new members or those who have attended less than two previous workshops

Friday 31 October, 10.00am-4.00pm at Robertsbridge Village Hall 
GYO1 (aged 9-13 years)
Explore movement and stagecraft while working as part of an ensemble and connecting the voice and body whilst performing.

These workshops are for young people aged 9-19 years old in Sussex who are interested in singing and performing. You don’t need to have any prior singing experience to join in, just be curious to find out more about music, movement and performing!

Priority will be given according to the eligibility criteria outlined for each session. Any remaining spaces will be allocated on a rolling basis following this date.

We will allocate one workshop per child initially with further opportunities allocated according to availability.

All sessions are free.

Applications for the autumn workshops are now open and spaces will be allocated on Tuesday 16 September by random ballot.

Applications are open.

Join us for fun workshops to introduce the story and music of Puccini’s Tosca. These sessions will help you learn techniques and enhance your performance skills ahead of the exciting opportunity to audition to perform on the Glyndebourne stage next summer. Auditions will take place in mid January 2026.

Saturday 18 October, 10.00am-1.00pm & 2.00pm-5.00pm at Glyndebourne
GYO1 & 2 girls and GYO1 boys

Sunday 19 October, 10.00am-1.00pm & 2.00pm-5.00pm at Glyndebourne
GYO1 & 2 girls and GYO1 boys

These workshops are for young people aged 9-19 years old in Sussex who are interested in singing and performing. You don’t need to have any prior singing experience to join in, just be curious to find out more about music, movement and performing!

Please note these workshops are open to everyone, but boys must have unchanged (treble) voices.

All sessions are free.

Applications for the taster days are now open and spaces will be allocated on Monday 6 October at 9.00am. Spaces will be allocated on Friday 10 October.

Applications are open.

Join us for fun workshops to introduce the story and music of Britten’s Billy Budd. This session will help you learn techniques and enhance your performance skills ahead of the exciting opportunity to audition to perform on the Glyndebourne stage next summer. Auditions will take place in mid January 2026.

Saturday 22 November, 10.00am-1.00pm & 2.00pm-5.00pm at Glyndebourne
GYO1 boys (aged 9-13 years) with unchanged voices

This workshop is for boys aged 9-13 years old in Sussex who are interested in singing and performing. You don’t need to have any prior singing experience to join in, just be curious to find out more about music, movement and performing!

Please note this workshop is for boys with unchanged (treble) voices only.

All sessions are free.

Applications for the taster days are now open and spaces will be allocated on Monday 10 November at 9.00am. Spaces will be allocated on Friday 14 November.

If you would like to be notified of other upcoming workshops, please sign up for our Glyndebourne Youth Opera mailing list below. If you have any queries about workshops, please do not hesitate to contact us at takepart@glyndebourne.com.

Photos: Sarah Hickson

Glyndebourne’s Learning & Engagement programme is supported using public funding by Arts Council England.

Main image: Sarah Hickson