Call for applicants to Opera North's female conductor traineeship

Opera North's female conductor traineeship scheme offers training and support for upcoming female conductors, centred around the activities of the Leeds-based opera company.

The course will include two dedicated conducting workshops and one-on-one discussions and lessons, with established names such as Garry Walker (music director of Opera North), Antony Hermus (principal guest conductor), and Sian Edwards (head of conducting at the Royal Academy of Music).

Participants will also have access to preparations for Opera North’s forthcoming productions of Rigoletto, Alcina and Carmen in Leeds, as well as opportunities to assist in education and outreach departments. 

Garry Walker, Opera North’s music director, said: 'We think that the Female Conductor Traineeship is unique in terms of the breadth of experience that a successful applicant stands to gain, from Opera North’s mainstage opera and orchestral programmes to our work in education and the community.

'By offering invaluable one-on-one mentorship from seasoned music staff and guest artists, as well as the support of the wider Opera North family, we hope to encourage more female artists to see opera and orchestral music as a viable career path, and to ensure that our Company and the industry at large is drawing on the widest range of professional conducting talent, now and in the future.

'We are looking for someone with outstanding musical and communication skills, who may or may not yet have had much conducting experience, but wishes to explore a pathway into conducting by means of this immersive programme.'

The traineeship will take place over ten weeks of Opera North’s Winter 21-22 season, between 29 November – 17 December 2021 and 4 January – 18 February 2022, and will require residency in Leeds during that period. A bursary of £350 per week + expenses will be provided.

Candidates are invited to submit video footage of between 5 and 15 minutes showing exceptional musicianship and communicative skills (performing or conducting), preferably from a live event; a short video introducing themselves and explaining why they have applied for the programme; and letters of recommendation from at least one, ideally two, professional musicians. These should be sent with a CV to felicity.dunk@operanorth.co.uk. They should also complete a diversity monitoring form.

The closing date for applications is 10am on Monday 9 August. Interviews for shortlisted candidates will be held in the week commencing Monday 30 August.

For more information click here.