- Course Dates
August 1, 2025 6:30 pm –
August 3, 2025 4:00 pm - Observer Pass
August 2, 2025
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Level: All abilities
Fee: £380
Opera Workshop
with Mary Plazas & Robert Chevara
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Mary is a powerhouse of creativity, a wonderful Artist and vocal technician.
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Robert is an award winning International Opera and Theatre director and has directed at many of the Conservatoires and Opera Houses in the UK, USA and Europe.
Mary and Robert explore physically and holistically the many aspects of preparation and performance for the music you bring.
Participants will explore the characters and their relationship to others within the story, the physical worlds and inner landscapes they inhabit and how to use this without compromising your singing, but actually enriching it.
Movement, style and technique will also be explored in context of being on stage or pared back for concerts and other platforms.
Combining individual sessions with Mary and Robert (some of which will be split and some with them both) as well as coming together as a group where they will help create something special and unique to the singer’s needs.
Whether a complete beginner or a young professional going into the business, or researching a role, they will help you find a safe anchor in discovering your voice, building a tool kit of skills, as well as building upon growth potential, through characterization, text and story telling within the music.
Participants have said they found it to be a meaningful experience, which was mutually supportive, beneficial and inspirational for everyone involved.
Prepare a minimum of two arias from any period.
A £70 deposit is required to secure your place on this course. The balance of fees, including accommodation, is due 3 weeks before the course start date.
You can also buy an Observer Pass for this course. The Observer Pass entitles you to attend on SATURDAY from 11am–1pm as an observer only and costs £10. This can be redeemed against a subsequent course booking. Places are limited. More info and terms and conditions here.
Venue: Jackdaws Music Education Trust
Venue Phone: 01373 812383
Address:Course Information
Is this Course right for me?
The answer is probably yes as we welcome musicians of all abilities and backgrounds on our courses but if you would like to find out more before you book please read about our course levels, or email or call our office manager Karolyn on 01373 812 383 / music@jackdaws.org and she will be able to offer further guidance.
If you are still unsure then maybe consider one of our “Try before you buy” Observer Passes which enable you to come and see one session in action.
Full Observer places may also be bookable for a whole weekend subject to availability. Call / email the office for more information.
Please see our General Course Information pages for further details and schedule information.
Our Courses are for adult musicians (except where stated) and take place at Jackdaws in Great Elm, near Frome in Somerset. The Course Fee includes all tuition, meals and refreshments at Jackdaws. Courses take place in the main studio, with Steinway piano, and generally follow a masterclass format. There are several practice rooms here, too.
Repertoire
For Voice, Piano & Wind courses; participants are usually requested to prepare 2 – 3 pieces in advance. We will ask you to provide a repertoire list for the tutor (& accompanist) ahead of the course.
For Ensemble courses; direction will be given by the course leaders.
Accommodation
If you require B&B, we can arrange that for you; accommodation fees are payable in addition to the course fee.
Meals and Refreshments
Lunch, Supper and morning/afternoon refreshments will be prepared on site by our dedicated Cooks. If you are vegetarian/vegan, or have a food allergy, you must let us know in advance, so that our cooks can plan the meals for the weekend accordingly. We are ‘allergy aware’, but we rely on participants letting us know if they have specific food allergies. Please also let us know if you carry any emergency medication.
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