Off the Page and Onto the Stage

Develop your dramatic intention and character embodiment in this holistic course from expert coaches; soprano, voice and yoga teacher Madeleine Holmes and baritone, vocal coach and pianist Thomas Coltman, who together have a wealth of stage experience. The course is individually tailored to each singer, and focuses on how to embody your singing, exploring physicality, creativity, character, imagination, psychology and vocal expression. By workshopping your learned works with a focus on performance, you’ll be able to take your communicative power as a singer to a whole new level. We’ll playfully explore different possibilities in interpretation, set clear dramatic intentions and develop your communication skills on stage, so that you feel powerfully connected in your embodiment of your chosen characters.

By the end of the course you will: Challenge yourself to uncover new possibilities in your performance, feeling a deeper connection to your chosen characters, and new freedom of expression. Gain tailored advice from expert singers and vocal coaches, unique to you. Develop your performance style as a singer, with a focus on dramatic intention, stage presence, and communication. Leave with a new confidence, feeling ready for upcoming auditions and performances

We’ll work in a group workshop throughout, with time divided between morning masterclasses, afternoon movement, acting and individual coaching sessions and relaxed evening sharing sessions with additional repertoire to experiment with. For the evening sessions, we encourage you to collaborate with fellow course members for duets and trios, subject to available voices. Each day will begin with a grounding warm up, bringing in principles from yoga and somatic practice, to help balance the nervous system and bring your whole self into this work. Main sessions will focus on movement, communication and characterisation to bring your chosen pieces alive.

This course is for Confident or Skilful singers, as outlined in the Benslow Guide to Standards, who are looking to take their stage performance to the next level.

We'll be in touch about chosing your repertoire in advance of the course.