Alison Mary Sutton, Director (Voice)
Alison has pursued a wide-ranging career in opera, oratorio and recital. She has performed widely as a soloist and ensemble singer, appearing at the major London concert halls and with many opera companies, including London Opera Factory and Opera de Lyon, touring in the UK, Europe and the USA. In demand as a teacher of voice, she also adjudicates extensively and is an Associated Board diploma examiner. She regularly gives workshops in solo singing and with choirs, most recently with the BBC Symphony Chorus. She lectures at the University of London and is on the staff at Birmingham Conservatoire.
Stuart Smith (Vocal Coach)
Stuart studied
at the University of Southern California, and is now a vocal coach at
the Birmingham Conservatoire. He has toured throughout Europe and the
USA as an accompanist and was named a "Ständiger Artist"
by Austrian Radio for his many broadcasts. He adjudicates regularly throughout
the UK, both in festivals and for Music for Youth.
Margaret Brownbridge (Vocal Coach)
Margaret is a graduate of the Royal Manchester College of Music. As an accompanist, she has performed throughout the UK and abroad, giving recitals and acting as repetiteur for various opera companies, including assistant Music Director for the London Opera Players. She has performed at the Purcell Room and the Wigmore Hall, and has broadcast on many occasions for the BBC.
Delia Lindon (Vocal/Drama Coach)
Delia trained and performed as a ballet dancer and subsequently became a freelance opera producer, director and drama coach. She works with the major opera companies and colleges, as well as running courses on the continent. Her private practice is based in London and Sussex. Delia's aim is to help singers realise their true performing potential with passion and integrity.
Robin Martin-Oliver (Stagecraft)
Robin has worked as a director and singer for all the major opera companies, including WNO, Covent Garden, Opera North, Glyndebourne and in Europe, as well as for the BBC Proms, Edinburgh & Cheltenham Festivals. Actively promoting opera in education and the community, he also teaches singing and gives stagecraft masterclasses.
Lynn Boreham (Alexander Technique)
Lynn is an Alexander Teacher with a particular knowledge and interest in working with singers and musicians. Since qualifying in 1996 Lynn has gained wide experience working with musicians, sportsmen and women, in adult education, county music services, in the corporate sector and in education. She is also involved in the training of Alexander Teachers and runs the stress in performance sessions on the professional development courses run by the Royal Schools of Music.
Mary Harris (Yoga)
Mary has many years experience of practising and teaching a meditative form of yoga. She holds the British Wheel of Yoga and Viniyoga teaching diplomas. She also practices Indian head massage. This very effective therapy is both relaxiing and revitalising, reducing symtoms of stress, such as neck and shoulder tension and headaches. Course participants have found that the combination of this treatment and the practice of simple yoga postures linked to breathing is an invaluable support to their art.
