“It is really a wonderful course, run by true professionals and seriously one
of the best clubs my daughter has ever done”“My child really loved their time and I can see them start to build
confidence. The team that run it have an amazing energy and worked
brilliantly with the children. It is great to expose the next generation to
Opera.”-parents of Youth Chorus members
Applications for the Chorus are currently closed. If you’d like to be added to the contact list to find out when applications open, please email youthchorus@operahollandpark.com.
About the Youth Chorus
Over the course of the 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.
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 11 sessions starting on 22nd September to 8th December. There will be no session on 27th October.
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!”
Louisa Kataria – Youth Chorus Supporting Singer
Louisa Kataria is a multi-disciplined musician and graduate of the Royal College of Music, where she studied saxophone, clarinet and flute as a Leverhulme Arts Scholar.
Classically trained, Louisa has played with organisations such as the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Pegasus Opera Company, and for Tête-à-Tête productions.
Additionally, she is in demand as a woodwind ‘trebler’ on the musical theatre scene, having made her West-End Debut with the London Musical Theatre Orchestra, and later played on the Red Carpet at Vogue World 2023 and at OVO Wembley Arena. Recent show credits include Cinderella (Hackney Empire, 2025), White Christmas (The Mill at Sonning, 2024-25), Hairspray (Epsom Playhouse, 2023), Merrily We Roll Along (RCSSD, 2024), to name a few.
An accomplished singer and former ex-chorister of St Albans Cathedral, Louisa made her solo debut as guest soloist with London Pro Arte Choir, directed by Tom Winpenny. She has performed, recorded, and been broadcast on TV and radio with professional ensembles such as St Martin’s Voices, the Lerion Consort, and Stellina, an all female classical-crossover group who have had repeat appearances on BBC Songs of Praise. Louisa was a choral scholar at St Martin-in-the-Fields for the 23/24 season.
Louisa is a passionate educator and is committed to inspiring the next generation. She is the woodwind peripatetic teacher at Orchard House School, and is the clarinet/flute tutor for LMTO’s outreach programme: Upbeat since 2023. She is thrilled to be part of the team at Opera Holland Park’s Inspire Team as Youth Chorus Supporting Singer.
Oliver Barker – Youth Chorus Supporting Singer & Assistant Chorus Manager
British Baritone Oliver Barker is currently studying towards a Masters Degree in Vocal and Operatic performance at the Royal College of Music, where he is a Stephen Catto Memorial Scholar, generously funded by Miss Uwins. Taught by Russell Smythe, he enjoys a career on the operatic, concert and choral stage, alongside work in music education and outreach. Notable recent performances include his soloist debut with the Philharmonia, where he was thrilled to play Larry King in Laura Karpman’s opera, ‘Balls’ performed at the Royal Festival Hall under the baton of Marin Alsop. He has also worked with celebrated companies including Opera Holland Park, the CBSO, the Birmingham Royal Ballet, Buxton Opera Festival, Ex Cathedra and Armonico Consort. He is a singer with the Josephine Baker Trust, a previous Waterperry Opera Festival Young Artist (2024) and a National Opera Studio Academy singer (2024-2025). He takes great pride in working in Opera learning and Participation and outreach, previously giving workshops and performances for Opera Holland Park/ Waterperry Opera Festival, the National Opera Studio/ Chickenshed and soon, Longborough Opera Festival, where he will be a 2026 Emerging Artist.
FAQs
Is my child suitable for this?
If your child is in school years 4 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 be added to a list to find out when applications open, please email inspire@operahollandpark.com.
