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 are currently closed. To be notified when applications open, please complete this form.
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!”
Ellen Pearson – Youth Chorus Supporting Singer
Ellen Pearson is a mezzo-soprano from Kent.
Ellen is currently an Opera Prelude Artist, an Artist on the Wigmore Hall French Song Exchange programme, an Oxford International Song Young Artist 2024/2026, a Samling Artist, a Shipston Song Rising Star as well as a Britten Pears Young Artist. Ellen was an Opera Holland Park Young Artist for their 2023-24 Season and portrayed the role of Rosina in the Opera Holland Park Young Artist production of Il Barbiere di Siviglia by Rossini.
Ellen recently won both the Nigel Beale First Prize and the Anthony Lowrey Audience Prize at the Hurn Court Opera Singer of the Year. She also recently won both the First prize and Best Duo prize with Archie Bonham in the Ashburnham English Song Competition.
She graduated with a Master’s of Music degree with distinction from the Royal College of Music, under the tutelage of Alison Wells. Previous to this, she obtained a Bachelor’s of Music with First Class Honours from the Royal Northern College of Music.
“Having benefited from countless subsidised music services, choirs and clubs throughout my childhood, I am delighted to be part of providing an inclusive and fun musical education for the next generation. The OHP Youth Chorus is a wonderfully safe space for young people to have fun while gaining confidence in singing, musicianship, composition and drama! I can already see the budding opera stars of tomorrow in our wonderfully talented group of students.”
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.
