11am: ‘Music Moves!’ with Mark at Colet House in London (nr Barons Court tube)

A joyful blend of singing, movement, and breath to activate your body and voice. Rooted in the Alexander Technique, this session brings lightness, presence, and connection — no singing experience needed!

This refreshing session can be followed at noon by a creatively invigorating opportunity to unleash your songwriting skills in a playful and intuitive way with award-winning composer Calista Kazuko. Blend lyrics, melody, and emotion while exploring self-expression and creative flow—no experience needed.

On Thurs 30th October from 3 - 4 pm in Kentish Town, MMST’s Mark Ross Clark, Calista Georget and Chika Robertson will present ‘Music Moves!, a special Music and Movement session for Seniors at the Civic Action Lab, 2 Prince of Wales NW5 3LQ. There will also be fabulous free drop-in sessions from 12-4 pm offering Food and Drink, Tai Chi, Weaving & Knitting, Meditation, Arts & Crafts, Goal Setting Skills, Sound Bath, Occupational Therapy, Community Mapping, Dance & Movement. All are welcome to this wonderful new community event, hosted by Likewise, Castlehaven, The Zen Project, River of Hope and Mind in Camden.

Back by popular demand, Mark Ross Clark will lead his engaging and stimulating ‘Music Moves!’ session to offer seniors a fun and unique opportunity for Rest & Rejuvenation as they sing, move and share cherished musical memories within this beautiful private country setting in Surrey: ‘Westcote, The Common, Dunsfold GU8 4LB’ (If you need directions, ask at the Post Office in Dunsfold.)

Dr Clark is an internationally acclaimed professional musician and certified Alexander Technique teacher. All are welcome and no previous experience is required. Email Chika at musicmindspirit@gmail.com or text or call 07973 113171 for further details and/or to reserve a space, as places are limited.

11am: Synergetics with Mark at Colet House in London (nr Barons Court tube)

A joyful blend of singing, movement, and breath to activate your body and voice. Rooted in the Alexander Technique, this session brings lightness, presence, and connection — no singing experience needed!

This refreshing session can be followed at noon by a creatively invigorating opportunity to unleash your songwriting skills in a playful and intuitive way with award-winning composer Calista Kazuko. Blend lyrics, melody, and emotion while exploring self-expression and creative flow—no experience needed.

Feel free to stay on for a coffee or bite to eat with friends at the Colet Cafe at 1 pm.

MMST’s BOA was delighted to return for the 3rd season to the Conservatoire Concerts series in Godalming Baptist Church. British Opera Academy singers Eve Pearson Maxwell (full lyric soprano), Sofia Baghulo (soubrette soprano) and Thomas Lidgley, rising stars from the Royal College of Music and Royal Academy of Music, performed arias and scenes from popular operas in this varied and entertaining programme by internationally acclaimed stage director Dr Mark Ross Clark. Also featured was South African pianist Roelof Temmingh and BOA-faculty member, Prof Ron Ulen, who has enjoyed a long and distinguished career on 6 continents of more than 2500 performances.

A fascinating illustrated talk by international stage director Prof Mark Ross Clark at Rudgwick Village Hall RH12 3JJ at 10.30, with coffee from 10. There will be no charge for this event — all are welcome!

Celebrating both Creativity and Wellbeing Week and Mental Health Awareness Week, MMST was proud to offer an engaging interactive session designed to promote wellbeing and connection through music, movement, storytelling and imagination play. Fun for all ages, with dedicated activities by specialists Calista Kazuko (Boho Bambino), Mark Ross Clark (Music Moves) and Chika Robertson (MMST SongTrees) for children ages 0+ and seniors!

A Celebration of Spring and the Life of Peter Fenwick

Presented by the Music Mind Spirit Trust and Colet House

You are cordially invited to join us for this special concert on Bank Holiday Monday 5th May in the beautiful Top Studio at Colet House at 5 pm.  In honour of the eminent late neuropsychiatrist Peter Fenwick, the extremely talented members of the British Opera Academy and MMST’s Young Artist Musical Ambassadors (YAMA) will perform some of Peter’s specially selected musical favourites that celebrate the Spring season.  There is no admission charge for this concert, which will last for 1 hour and be followed by refreshments and more musical gems!  We particularly welcome Peter’s family, friends and colleagues, as well as all members of the general public to this uplifting event.

Our featured performers shall include British Opera Academy solo singers Eve Maxwell (soprano), Anastasia Koorn (mezzo-soprano), Justin Soriano (tenor) and Alistair Sutherland (baritone); Tadashi Imai (piano); YAMA soloists Joe Netley (violin), Alicia Li-Yan-Hui (clarinet and violin), Mayuchi Ono (cello), and YAMA violins/violas Sapphie Johnson, Annie Karas, Elizabeth Kirov, Jem Mossman, Annabelle Wang, Emma Wang, Libi Winterstein and YAMA Mentors including Rebecca Sewell, Chole Soriano-Bowers and Amalia Young; directed by Chika Robertson and Mark Ross Clark.

To reserve seats to this free event, email musicmindspirit@gmail.com.

The direct link to the Colet House website is: https://www.colethouse.org/whats-on#calendar-b32601c9-0ce7-48c2-bf2d-c3ee5f9c172f-event-m8n29e3o

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 have launched training workshops with Spokane Symphony musicians, inspired through the excellent leadership of their Music Director, James Lowe and Education Director Jason Moody; MMST Trustee Prof Nigel Osborne; and MMST Cultural, Scientific and Medical Board Advisor Prof John Zeisel. This unique intragenerational and intergenerational programme benefits 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.