On Sunday, 1st December, Colet House is proud to present -- in conjunction with The British Opera Academy and Music Mind Spirit Trust -- a very special concert, ‘The Faces of Passion’, at 6:30 pm in the Top Studio of this historic building in London to celebrate the opening of the holiday season and the 20th Anniversary of the Music Mind Spirit Trust.

The programme will be hosted by special guest-International Opera Star Tenor Allan Glassman, who has thrilled audiences singing leading roles in opera centres across the world in New York, Chicago, Santa Fe, Dallas, LA, Montreal, Frankfurt, Israel and Paris. Hailed as the Otello of his generation: “Glassman is a full-on Verdian tenor.”

Along with Mr. Glassman and acclaimed pianist Craig J White, the concert will feature hand-picked international singers from top conservatories in the UK, including the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Royal Academy of Music, Royal College of Music and Royal Northern College of Music.

The varied programme of well-known favourites from the standard repertoire will include supratitles.  Allan Glassman, who will lead a master class for the singers that afternoon, will also sing in the concert.

Admission is free, but donations will be gladly accepted so that more concerts and programme events can be supported in the future by MMST for these outstanding young musicians. 

Doors will open at 6 for the 6.30 pm concert and there will be the opportunity to meet with the artists over a glass of wine following this free event. Here is the link to the concert on the Colet website.

Dr Chika Robertson and Prof Mark Ross Clark delivered a training workshop to Spokane Symphony musicians, inspired through the excellent leadership of their Music Director, James Lowe, and by MMST Trustee Prof Nigel Osborne This unique programme will benefit seniors and families in Spokane, including those living with dementia and other age-related diseases.

An informative and delightful lunch in Bloomsbury with leading soprano Jennifer France was followed by her brilliant Masterclass for the talented British Opera Academy singers K Patrick Bittner, Madelyn Jones, Ashley Leparik and Tanya Matteo Glintchevskaia. This was a truly magical day everyone will always remember!

Cranleigh Arts Centre is proud to host international rising stars from the British Opera Academy, with its award-winning director Prof Mark Ross Clark from the Music Mind Spirit Trust. Returning to Surrey by popular demand, BOA will bring beloved stories from the world of opera and musical theatre to life through memorable scenes from Cinderella, the Marriage of Figaro, the Magic Flute, Showboat and other popular favourites.

“To Life!”: An Inspirational Evening with The British Opera Academy

Back by popular demand, the talented singers of the British Opera Academy will be performing at the magnificent ‘Colet House’, London’s largest studio space, on Sunday 23rd June at 6.30 pm.

Doors will open at 6 for this memorable evening of opera favourites and musical theatre treasures.  Wine and nibbles will be served at the interval.  The evening will be hosted by award-winning director Dr Mark Ross Clark and Metropolitan Opera tenor Alan Glassman, with Dr Chika Robertson of the Music Mind Spirit Trust. 

There will be no admission charge, but donations will be received to support scholarship opportunities for the young singers from the UK and abroad.  BOA pianist/coach Aleksandra Myslek of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama will assist.

Jazz aficionado Dominic Alldis and young professional singers from across the world of MMST’s British Opera Academy will evoke musical memories as they take you on a fascinating trip down Memory Lane. Enjoy this delightful programme of familiar tunes from the library of Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Rodgers & Hart and Noel Coward over a glass of wine and cheese, cabaret style, or from the balcony if you prefer.

Join Alastair Sutherland and his Merry Band on Saturday for a fun-filled evening of Sea Shanties and Fish & Chips at the fabulous Fox Inn (Bucks Green, West Sussex RH12 3JP) Tel 01403 822 386. Children’s programme: 5-6 pm and Adults and All to Sing Along from 7-9 pm. Free - no admission charge. Donations accepted to benefit student scholarships through the Music Mind Spirit Trust. INFO@FOXINN.CO.UK

This fascinating conference highlighting the importance of ‘Soft Power’ brought together musicians, artists and other cultural leaders from both sides of the Atlantic. MMST’s newly published ‘Musical Steps’ project was introduced by Dr Lyudmila Nurse, Dr Chika Robertson and Elizabeth Nurse. This was followed by a stimulating interactive ‘Singergetics’ workshop by Prof Mark Ross Clark.

Royal Academy of Music Presentation: Dr Chika Robertson and Dr Lyudmila Nurse – ‘Musical Steps: Reinvigorating Latent Musicianship Across the Generations’ (Friday 29 Sept - 18.00-20.00).

UNLEASH YOUR CREATIVITY THROUGH THIS INNOVATIVE EVENT in the Royal Academy of Music’s beautiful Angela Burgess Recital Hall or via Zoom!

There was no charge to the general public for this exciting live and virtual hybrid event, which featured live performances by MMST’s talented Young Artist Musical Ambassadors from Primary Academy, Junior Academy and the Royal Academy of Music. Performers included Sapphie Johnson, Elizabeth Kirov, Libi Winterstein and Amalia Young.

https://tickets.ram.ac.uk/sales/categories/friday-series/musical-steps-reinvigorating-l

MMST’s Young Artist Musical Ambassadors Sapphie Johnson, Elizabeth Kirov and Joe Steele were invited to perform violin solos by J S Bach and Massanet at the Scientific and Medical Network’s glorious 50th Anniversary celebration at the St Brides Centre, London. It was an inspirational day for the young musicians, as they were able to hear David Lorimer’s eminent international speakers from the scientific, spiritual and cultural domains.

Talented musicians from across the world - Jenny Perry, Laura Ash Strickland, Maria Hemphill, Joshua Fullerton,  Nathan Reynolds, Triss Wright, Francesca Lauri and Dr Theo Vinden - performed staged and costumed (by American costumier Margaret Hall) scenes and arias from well-known operas in this celebratory concert. This marked the launch of the BRITISH OPERA ACADEMY, Music Mind Spirit Trust, directed by Mark Ross Clark in partnership with Conservatoire Concerts' Opera Festival 2023.

The faculty and students of the British Opera Academy would like to thank the following for their invaluable assistance:

Rosie Brenan 

The Guildford School of Acting, University of Surrey.

Colet House, London.

Conservatoire Concerts and Godalming Baptist Church.

The Royal Academy of Music.

The Marylebone Theatre.

Godalming Baptist Church.

Margaret Hall.

BOA Masterclass and Workshop presenters: Dominic Alldis, Jamie Barton, Caroline Dowdle, Jenni France, Allan Glassman, Mark Ross Clark, Duncan Rock.

‘Nutrition for Singers’: DUNCAN ROCK of the Metropolitan Opera and the Glyndebourne Opera delivered a fascinating practical presentation to the British Opera Academy singers at the Guildford School of Acting, Surrey University, about how they can incorporate scientifically-supported new and traditional nutritional principles easily into their busy lives.

Caroline Dowdle (Piano/Vocal Coach: Jette Parker Young Artists Programme, Covent Garden, Royal Opera House) led a dynamic masterclass on June 23 at the Guildford School of Acting Studios, sharing her invaluable practice and performance tips to the British Opera Academy singers with sensitivity, wisdom and style.

Dr Chika Robertson and Prof Mark Ross Clark explored the theme of 'Light' with leading tenor from the Metropolitan Opera House, Allan Glassman, as he inspired the next generation of international singers from the British Opera Academy of the Music Mind Spirit Trust.  This fascinating event took the form of a Masterclass at Colet House, 151 Talgarth Road and was heard live and via Zoom.

The Music Mind Spirit Trust and the Study Society invited guests to a relaxing evening of fine wine and popular arias, sung by rising stars from across the world of the British Opera Academy.  Doors opened at 6 pm with a glass of wine before the concert in Colet House’s beautiful Top Studio. 

A former student at the Royal Academy of Music, JENNIFER FRANCE is known everywhere for her extraordinary performances, including Zerbinetta in Ariadne auf Naxos. Jenni delighted musicians from MMST’s British Opera Academy at the Royal Academy of Music as she shared her fascinating experiences, wisdom and insight about how to achieve a balanced work/life relationship with a busy and successful career in opera today.

A masterclass by the great tenor of the Met, Allan Glassman, with international singers from the British Opera Academy, was aired throughout the world in celebration of Make Music Day UK 2023! The broadcast presented a special bird’s eye view of Allan working with Australian singer actor Maria Hemphill at the Guildford School of Acting, University of Surrey.

In celebration of Make Music Day UK and this week’s exciting launch of The British Opera Academy of the Music Mind Spirit Trust, inspirational master improviser Dominic Alldis, jazz professor from the Royal Academy of Music, worked with talented university-trained young professional singers from the UK and across the world.  In this live class the musicians of the British Opera Academy learned how well-known pieces of music can be turned into especially catchy tunes as they sang great songs by Cole Porter, George Gershwin and Rodgers and Hart from ‘The American Songbook’.     

British Opera Academy founders Prof Mark Ross Clark, international opera director, and Dr Chika Robertson, CEO of the Music Mind Spirit Trust, introduced the session from the Guildford School of Acting Studios at the University of Surrey.

Guests will be able to enjoy the beautiful gardens and fine acoustics of the music room at Colwood House. 

BOA’s award-winning director Prof Mark Ross Clark will be joined on the day by three young stars in an enchanting programme of musical favourites ranging from Mozart’s Don Giovanni and Bizet’s Carmen, to Kiss Me Kate and Gigi:

Alexandra Stevenson, Soprano: a Classic FM soloist for the King's Coronation

"Beautiful, expressive voice" – Classic FM;   "Glorious" – Catherine Bott  

Alistair Sutherland, baritone: Opera Holland Park "In this gift of a role Alistair Sutherland uses his expressive face to the full to give an hilarious turn and solid vocal performance" – Jonathan Lennie: Time Out

Francesca Lauri, piano: Trinity Laban Conservatory for Music and Dance and Royal College of Music Prizewinner.

Email musicmindspirit@gmail.com or call 07973 113171 to book tickets. Pre Booking is essential for catering purposes and reserving your seat.  

There will be no admission charge for this concert -- any donations will be greatly appreciated as they will provide scholarships for aspiring young and talented UK and international students from diverse backgrounds to be able to attend the British Opera Academy. https://musicmindspirittrust.com/boa

Directed by the award-winning American director Mark Ross Clark, the fabulous voices of Tilly Goodwin, Alistair Sutherland and James Schouten — with the wonderful Liz Hayley on the ivories — set the perfect tone to bring in the new year in style!