Vocal Studies

The range of courses which are offered within Vocal Studies at the RSAMD offer training at undergraduate, postgraduate and the prestigious Opera School level. There is a fundamental emphasis on responsibly releasing the true voice healthily and establishing a technique for a successful long career. The Academy’s outstanding team of experienced vocal tutors, working in close collaboration, have an excellent track record in helping singers to fulfil their potential. The singing lessons delivered on a one-to-one basis are the foundations for this success and are allocated 90 minutes a week. At all levels there are classes in languages, movement, drama and Alexander Technique. Other key features are performance classes and specialised coaching as well as masterclasses given by distinguished names such as Jane Eaglen, Ian Storey, Siegfried Jerusalem, Malcolm Martineau, Anne Murray, Dame Felicity Lott and Sir Thomas Allen.

Glyndebourne Festival Opera ,  Bayreuth Festival Opera, Independent Opera at Sadlers’ Wells, British Youth Opera and the Britten Pears School for Advanced Studies all audition annually at the RSAMD. Regular Erasmus exchanges of staff and students are in place, and there have been in the last few years major collaborations with the Conservatoires of St Petersburg and Rostov-on-Don, the Norgesmusikhøgskole in Oslo, and the Universität der darstellende Kunst, Berlin.

The RSAMD has an extremely close working relationship with Scottish Opera, with frequent access to rehearsals, a successful 'shadowing' scheme fopr senior students and Scottish Opera staff coming to the RSAMD to coach regularly. The two year postgraduate opera course has an enviable record of successful placement of its alumni in opera houses throughout the world, and companies report that they find the singers particularly well prepared for the profession.

Head of Department:  Christopher Underwood