THE NEW ZEALAND OPERA SOCIETY

The NZ National Singing School in Napier ( operating at the EIT campus in Taradale ) offered positions for Trainee Repetiteurs at the 2005 school and Catherine Norton and David Kelly were appointed to these positions. Both are now Dame Malvina Major Emerging Artists and perhaps without the experience of playing at the School, they would not have been appointed to this scheme.

The Trustees of the School recognise the importance of encouraging our young musicians and so it has been decided to offer in addition to the Trainee Repetiteurs, two positions as Trainee Tutors for the 2007 school. These trainees will work under the guidance of Flora Edwards [left] from Wellington and Judy Bellingham [right] from Dunedin, the Director of the School. Each trainee will observe Masterclasses taken by a variety of tutors, will be expected to make notes and evaluations of each class and will towards the latter part of the Course be expected to tutor students under the observation of either Flora or Judy or another member of the tutorial staff.

The Trust feels that it is important in a place as small as New Zealand to take every opportunity that comes along to improve one’s own professional knowledge and skills. We believe that being part of the Trainee Tutor scheme would give those with an interest in this field, an opportunity to work with many of New Zealand’s top practitioners and internationally acknowledged tutors, thereby learning new tools for diagnosing vocal faults and adding ways to encourage development of the voice. By observing the practice of others, they will be able to improve their own knowledge and skills as well as being exposed to new repertoire and pedagogy.

You would need to send a full CV listing your qualifications and teaching related skills and you would need to say why you think that becoming a Trainee Tutor is going to help you in your future as both a teacher and a singer. The course is pretty comprehensive as language skills, movement and drama skills, and an understanding of both vocal technique and interpretation are also given to the students.

Life is not a Dress Rehearsal... you only get one chance. This is your chance to pause....think... and then take what could be the most important step for your future. So if you feel that this is what you would enjoy and would gain from and would like an application form, please contact Diane Hopson by email infosinging@clear.net.nz or by phone 06 8354584