Vocal and opera studies
What is vocal and opera studies?
Sydney Conservatorium of Music has a long tradition of producing singers of exceptional quality for concert and opera stages in Australia and worldwide. Your development as a singer and performer will be mentored and supported to reach your potential by teaching staff who are internationally experienced active performers and researchers.
At both an undergraduate and graduate level your focus will be on thorough technical and stylistic preparation for imaginative and engaged performance. Interpretative skills are supported by expert tuition in lyric diction as well as separate language classes.
We offer performance opportunities in solo and ensemble concerts and opera, as well as weekly performance feedback from expert performers and teachers.
Our opera studies at graduate level offer the only specialist opera training courses in Australia, concentrating on intensive study of core operatic skills in singing, languages, role preparation and repertoire, stagecraft, acting, dance, ensemble, opera history and theatre studies. Each of these key areas are drawn together in staged, accompanied performances of operas, providing you with experience at a professional level.
- Receive guidance from remarkably experienced teaching staff. Many of our teachers actively perform as concert and operatic artists with repertoire interests ranging from the early Renaissance to contemporary classical music.
- Coaching and language instruction from our Piano Accompaniment and language staff will complement your vocal lessons.
- Gain constant performance opportunities and exposure. The Conservatorium Opera School showcases talent in regular public opera productions, so you can take your first bow in practical preparation for the opera profession. Weekly performance workshops, masterclasses and opera performance classes also provide additional performance opportunities.
- Join the likes of many successful graduates whom have been employed as full-time artists by the national company, Opera Australia; in state opera companies; and in young artist programs of opera companies, such as those in Zurich, Cologne, Vienna and Rome.
- Benefit from the rich cultural life of Sydney and industry association through resident and visiting performers and coaches from companies such as Opera Australia, Musica Viva, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Pinchgut Opera.
- At graduate level, you will have opportunities to connect with the international opera community through competitive scholarship support for international Opera Summer Schools.
- Professor Deborah Cheetham Fraillon – Elizabeth Todd Chair of Vocal Studies
- Associate Professor Stephen Mould
- Associate Professor Narelle Yeo
- Honorary Associate Professor Michael Halliwell
- Dr Rowena Cowley, Senior Lecturer
- Dr Anke Hoeppner-Ryan, Lecturer
- Mr Barry Ryan OAM, Lecturer
- Mr Alan Hicks, Associate Lecturer
- Dr Simon Lobelson, Associate Lecturer
- Dr David Greco, Casual Lecturer
- Ms Maree Ryan AM, Casual Lecturer
- Ms Robyn Wells, Casual Lecturer
While establishing and refining your vocal, musical and artistic skills, the Vocal and Opera Studies program helps you to develop the personal attributes needed for a career in performance, teaching or other fields.
- opera singer
- concert and oratorio singer
- professional ensemble singer
- professional opera chorus singer
- singing teacher (primary, secondary, tertiary and/or private)
- music research/academia
- broadcaster
- music writer/blogger/critic
- artist agent
- arts administrator
What are my study options with vocal and opera studies?
Gavin Brown