Young Artist Programme

Our Mission: to support and develop diverse and talented young artists

2024 Update

Applications for the Waterperry Young Artist Programme 2024 will open in December 2023. Information will be posted on our website and social media once applications are open.

About the Programme

Led by Director of the Young Artist Programme, Rebecca Meltzer, and Head of Music, Ashley Beauchamp, the programme offers artists at the beginning of their careers the opportunity to develop their skills and hone their craft in a safe and exciting environment. The programme offers mentorship and training in contemporary opera practice and collaborative theatre-making. Young Artists will be mentored by festival staff and external practitioners throughout the programme, and singers will receive a number of coachings and performance opportunities.

The 2023 Programme

Our 2023 Young Artist Programme is generously supported by the Fidelio Charitable Trust, Nicholas John Trust, Doris Field Charitable Trust & Gerald Finzi Trust. We are incredibly grateful that their support allows us to continue supporting young artists, a core part of our mission here at Waterperry Opera Festival.

Our 2023 Young Artists Singers were an integral part of our headline production, Carmen. They also performed in two FREE Young Artist Galas on 17th & 19th August.

Meet Our 2023 Young Artists

This year we are thrilled to welcome five Young Artist singers to the company:

Soprano
Tesni Jones

Soprano
Yunna Jiang

Mezzo-Soprano
Daisy Mitchell

Tenor
James McIntyre

Baritone
Fraser Robinson

And we are also thrilled to welcome three Young Artist directors to the company:

Director (Opera)
Emily Beech

Director (Opera)
Maddy Trepanier

Director (Community & Education)
Maryam Noorhimli

If you would like to sponsor one of our 2023 Young Artists, please email us at info@waterperryoperafestival.co.uk . All sponsorship goes towards music coaching, masterclasses, workshops, accommodation, and supports the development and career of the Young Artist.

WOF Young Artist Alumni

2022 Young Artists

Singers
Charlotte Jane Kennedy - Soprano
Caroline Blair - Soprano
Rachel Barnard - Mezzo-Soprano
David Woods - Tenor
Charles Murray - Tenor

Directors
Aïda Lahlou - Director

2021 Young Artists

Singers
Madeleine Todd - Soprano
Bethan Terry - Soprano
Hugh Beckwith - Tenor
Christopher Willoughby - Tenor
Rebecca Anderson - Mezzo-Soprano
Maria Willis - Mezzo-Soprano
Stephen Whitford - Baritone
Christopher Head - Baritone

Directors
James Gillett - Musical Director
Callie Nestleroth - Director

Creatives
Sofía Escobar - Design Assistant

2019 Young Artists

Singers
Caitlin Bell - Soprano
Caitlin Goreing - Mezzo-Soprano
Eleanor Westbrook - Mezzo-Soprano
Harry Jacques - Tenor
Jamie Woollard - Bass

Directors
Emma Doherty - Director
Lily Dyble - Director
Rory Johnston - Musical Director

Creatives
Phoebe Schenk - Creative Producer
Rhiannon Merrifield - Creative Producer
Georgia Smithers - Designer
Manuela Fleming - Designer
Inayah Thomas - Stage Manager
Jack Firman - Stage Manager

2018 Young Artists

Singers
Chloe Jackson - Soprano
Charlotte Collier - Mezzo-Soprano
Phil Durrant - Tenor
Louis Wilson - Bass

Directors
Crispin Lord - Director
Trojan Nakade - Music Director

Creatives
Beatrix Swanson Scott - Festival Ass.
Bronte McFadyean - Designer
Victoria Rodriguez - Designer

Previous Events

2022 Programme Events

YOUNG ARTIST GALA
YOUNG ARTIST MASTERCLASS WITH NICKY SPENCE

2021 Programme Events

YOUNG ARTIST OPERA SCENES PERFORMANCES
YOUNG ARTIST MASTERCLASS WITH MARK WILDE

2020 Programme Events

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the programme was unable to run. Many of the Young Artists selected for 2020 returned for the 2021 programme.

2019 Programme Events

ABRAHAM & ISAAC (BRITTEN) PERFORMANCES
'DREAM' (DEVISED WORK) PERFORMANCES
YOUNG ARTIST MASTERCLASS

2018 Programme Events

A HAND OF BRIDGE (BARBER) PERFORMANCES
YOUNG ARTIST MASTERCLASS