Youth Academy
Youth Academy is a classical singing development programme which aims to support talented young performers aged between 14 - 19 years old across the country.
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Youth Academy is for young people who are musically talented but who may not know much about opera, and who want the opportunity to find out more and experience training from top industry professionals. The programme aims to bring an awareness of opera as an accessible and exciting art form, and to introduce the skills and training necessary to perform as an opera singer.
Glyndebourne is partnering with musical organisations across the UK to provide free workshops for singers. The workshops will introduce the world of opera and focus on techniques for singing, movement and storytelling. Those who take part may be offered the opportunity to visit Glyndebourne later in the year to receive intensive coaching and backstage access at our beautiful opera house.
Through this work, we hope to increase the opportunity for young singers to reach their full potential and open up career pathways. We will focus on improving their skills in solo singing, musicianship, acting abilities, healthy approaches to singing, performance psychology, resilience, languages, choosing repertoire, preparing for auditions and conservatoire.
We piloted this scheme with the RLPO youth choirs and Bromley Boys Singers in 2024, with the addition of the Halle Youth Choir in 2025, and are now looking to partner with several more musical organisations across the country to offer introductory workshops under this scheme, with the opportunity for a select number of participants to take part in a residency at Glyndebourne each year.
Photo: Laura Aziz
‘Thank you very much for this inspiring session! You have really helped be more confident in my singing’ – Former Glyndebourne Talent Development participant
‘Thank you so much for today, I had a wonderful time and I am very interested in Opera and potential careers / pathways in the future! :)’ – Former Glyndebourne Talent Development participant
‘My favourite part of the residential was receiving personal feedback on my solo singing as it has massively improved my confidence and skill.’ – Former Glyndebourne Talent Development participant
‘Speaking with so many professionals from different departments and to singers who did not have a traditional route to opera, it was really lovely to learn that everyone took their own time and had their own journey.’ – Former Glyndebourne Talent Development participant
If you would like to be notified of other upcoming opportunities, please sign up for our Glyndebourne Youth Opera mailing list below. If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us at takepart@glyndebourne.com.
Photos: Laura Aziz
Glyndebourne’s Learning & Engagement programme is supported using public funding by Arts Council England.
