Early bird: bookings at a discounted rate of £570 until 1st March
“The traditional mechanistic view of anatomy, as useful as it has been, has objectified rather than humanised our relationship to our insides.”
– Thomas Myers
Descartes described the human body as a ‘soft machine’. As singers, we know this to be true on one level, but the machine analogy very quickly becomes inadequate. How can we find working methods that genuinely connect the machine to our sense of self, and allow both vocal competence and artistry to flourish?
How to apply
Our course is for advanced, serious students of voice, whether they are following a professional journey or not. Participants will be selected by cv and a simple live recording/phone clip. Please complete the application form below
Cost: £625
Location: Telegraph Hill Centre and the Barefoot Studio, SE4
6 day course, with a simple healthy lunch, refreshments
Early bird: bookings at a discounted rate of £570 until 1st March
25% deposit (non refundable) to be paid once confirmation of your place on the course has been sent to you, followed by the remaining balance to be paid by the 7th May 2025.
About the Course
Guided by our expert team of professional singers, movement specialists and coaches, our six- day Intensive Course offers enjoyable group workshops in responsive breath work, physical theatre techniques and somatic movement practice – as well as solo opportunities in varied masterclasses.
Each day begins with Barefoot’s signature Body Voice and Movement group workshop, and includes a solo masterclass with a voice tutor or coach, and either a movement or drama workshop.
Singers are invited to bring at least two pieces of their own choice to work on throughout the course, and will participate in an opera scene to be prepared during the week and performed on the final day.
You can expect :
- Exercises to free your sense of your body in space and action
- Generous individual time in masterclasses
- Detailed acting classes and text work
- Co-creation of opera scenes with your group- with expert direction
- Individual feedback and consultation
How will it benefit you?
- Your whole body will feel more comfortable
- Your breathing will feel more sustainable
- Your tone quality will improve
- Your body language will successfully reflect your intentions
Themes of the week
- ‘Getting back in’ – after a break
- ‘Theatre work for singers’ – matching your work to directors’ expectations
- ‘Prepping for auditions’ – how you come over to a panel
- ‘Relaxation and effort’ – what is the balance?
- ‘Creative play’ – liberating imagination and voice
About Barefoot Opera
Barefoot Opera aims to help you find your classical voice by offering experiential exercises that support traditional bel canto work.
“Responsive breath”, reaction and action, is the keystone of Barefoot’s work, refining and evolving into singing and the operatic tradition.
Re-aligning ourselves to well-balanced, fully functional body, breath, movement and sound, we reconnect with basic human responses: laughing, sighing, calling – the elemental tone qualities that signal our human interaction with our environment. We explore how to link those responses with the sophistication of classical sound.
