Over the course of 10 sessions, participants will learn what it’s like to be part of an opera chorus, through a fun, accessible and inclusive environment. Focusing on being able to produce high quality singing whilst story-telling, this new initiative will be delivered by a specialist OHP musician and guest teachers.

Applications to join the Youth Chorus in the Summer Term are now open. To apply, please complete this form.

The Opera Holland Park Youth Chorus will be held at the Chelsea Theatre on Mondays, 4.15-5.45pm during term time. There will be 10 sessions starting on 28th April and finishing on 14th July. There will be no sessions on 5th May or 26th May.

Opera Holland Park is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Staff running our Youth Chorus have undergone enhanced DBS checks, and have been safeguarding trained.

The Team

Joe Cummings – Youth Chorus Musical Director

Joe is a musical director, pianist, composer, vocal coach, and animateur, with a passion for collaborating with others to make music and theatre. He trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music and the Royal Academy of Music, holds a PGCHe in Higher Education Teaching, and is currently training to teach Estill Voice Training. His versatile piano improvisation skills are a hallmark of much of his work.

As a repetiteur at the Royal Ballet and Opera, Joe works with the Youth Opera Chorus. He also teaches singing at Bird College on the BA Musical Theatre Course. In his role as Creative Director of LMTO Upbeat, Joe leads a program that transforms UK secondary school students—many with no prior musical experience—into concert performers in just eight weeks. The program establishes an orchestra in every school it visits, with West End musicians guiding students from their first notes to a final performance for friends and family.

Joe also works with renowned institutions such as English National Opera, Royal Shakespeare Company, Matilda The Musical, and Wigmore Hall. His compositions have been performed at prestigious venues, including the Royal Albert Hall, Festival Hall, and Royal Academy of Music

“It’s a really exciting journey! As well as learning singing and acting skills, together we’re writing our very own musical pieces, scenes and eventually maybe even a whole opera!”

Amy Porter – Youth Chorus Supporting Singer and Assistant Chorus Manager
Amy graduated from Durham with a First-Class degree in Music, where she held a Vice Chancellor Scholarship for the Arts. She currently works as a Create and Sing Artist at the Royal Ballet and Opera, a Supporting Singer for Opera Holland Park’s Music for Dementia programme and Opera Holland Park’s Youth Chorus and the Vocal Lead Trainee for Music for Life’s Singing with Friends programme at the Wigmore Hall.

Amy is studying for her Masters in Vocal Studies at The Royal Academy of Music (2024-2026), learning with Catherine Wyn-Rogers and Richard Berkeley-Steele. As a member of Samling Academy (2017-19) and Glyndebourne Academy (2023), Amy has been fortunate to experience high quality training and masterclasses.

Stage credits include: Hermia in Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Royal Academy of Music Opera Scenes), Hansel in Humperdink’s Hansel and Gretel (Royal Academy of Music Opera Scenes), Mercedes in Bizet’s Carmen (Royal Academy of Music Opera Scenes), Hermia in Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Durham Opera Ensemble), Second Lady in Mozart’s The Magic Flute (Durham Opera Ensemble). She performs as a soloist in oratorio and concert repertoire and has been fortunate to sing in some of Britain’s finest venues such as The Royal Albert Hall and St. Paul’s Cathedral. She was honoured to sing with the award-winning chamber choir Tenebrae in Perth, Scotland, and Bremen, Germany, under the direction of Nigel Short.

 

Joshua Gordon – Youth Chorus Supporting Singer

Joshua is a baritone currently studying on the Masters of Performance course at the Royal Academy of Music. He completed his undergraduate studies in Classical and Operatic voice at Birmingham Conservatoire, where he also worked with their Learning and Participation department, alongside the Birmingham Opera Company. Alongside his operatic career, Joshua also enjoys gospel and contemporary performance and has performed on Strictly Come Dancing, Britain’s Got Talent and the Great British Bake-Off with London Community Gospel Choir.

FAQs

Is my child suitable for this?

If your child is in school years 5 to 8 and is enthusiastic about singing and performing then yes! We just ask that participants are willing to work with others, follow direction and are able to attend the full 10 sessions.

How is this different to a choir? 

The Youth Chorus will focus on classical singing whilst story-telling. Participants will learn what it’s like to be part of an opera chorus covering key elements including movement, direction and staging.

Who will run the sessions?

Our specialist and highly-experienced OHP musician will be running these workshops alongside invited guest teachers.

How much does this cost?

Nothing! At Opera Holland Park we believe that every young person should be able to access high quality music and drama opportunities no matter what their background.

As such, we are offering places on our Youth Chorus for no cost to the parent/carer. As this is a fully funded programme with no cost, students from low income backgrounds/pupil premium students will be prioritised.

How do I apply?

To find out when applications open, please complete this form. If you need support with this, please email inspire@operahollandpark.com.