(UK) What qualification do singing teachers need to teach opera? Options

[svelte]

Hello, I am very keen to start opera lessons! I am actually 26.. is this too late? I know it can take a decade to master, so I would want to choose a teacher who is properly certified.. or is there any special certification?

I am extremely quiet and softly spoken with pretty bad social anxiety; but I have powerful lungs, I think the discrepancy between my future singing voice and speaking voice will be hilarious. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Thankyou for reading.

[Dugazon]

Hello, I am very keen to start opera lessons! I am actually 26.. is this too late? I know it can take a decade to master, so I would want to choose a teacher who is properly certified.. or is there any special certification?

I am extremely quiet and softly spoken with pretty bad social anxiety; but I have powerful lungs, I think the discrepancy between my future singing voice and speaking voice will be hilarious. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Thankyou for reading.

Hi svelte!

There is no such thing as a properly certified teacher if you want to study opera singing. Certain things will make it more likely you find a good match (like a teacher who performed in opera themselves, teaches at a Conservatoire, has teaching credentials and contacts), but ultimately, there are no guarantees. The profession is completely unregulated.

I had some of the most shocking teaching from the teacher with the highest credentials at Uni/Cons - if I hadn't noticed myself something was off, they would have wrecked my voice. They were an ex-performer with an international career, but they had no clue whatsoever how to teach.

I worked as a classical/opera singer for a few years before I switched to Musical Theatre, so I can definitely give you a few pointers/advice in case you need it (details in my profile, or feel free to drop me a PM).

26 won't prevent you from becoming a mature student if you have the makings of a good singer. If you want a serious operatic career, it is very late though if you have no previous knowledge. There are other careers in singing however, it really depends on what you want (and ultimately, if you're good and committed enough).

Many Conservatoires don't take you over a certain age in some countries (the cut-off line in Germany, where I studied, is between 24 and 26). Other countries don't do this out of some sense of political correctness, I'm afraid to say though that I don't think they do the student a service if they have virtually no chance to get an engagement after Cons. I'm not saying it's right, but the professional operatic world is tough, age gets increasingly important (much to the detriment of vocal development) - it is as it is.

You might also want to think about the fact if your social anxiety could become an obstacle at any point - it is really fierce out there. Talent and technique are one thing, but you'll also need a certain amount of elbows.

I don't mean to discourage you, but some people have a very romantic view of the life of an opera singer/performer, and I think it's important to be realistic. You can still make singing/teaching your profession - the world is your oyster. Starting to sing at 26 also doesn't make it impossible to have an operatic career, but the competition is immensely tough, and your chances are not exactly getting bigger once you are over 25 and have no previous experience.

The power of your lungs won't really make a difference btw, because it doesn't matter how much airflow you can produce - rather how you economise it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[owainsutton]

I had some of the most shocking teaching from the teacher with the highest credentials at Uni/Cons - if I hadn't noticed myself something was off, they would have wrecked my voice. They were an ex-performer with an international career, but they had no clue whatsoever how to teach

This is a tricky one. I could name very well-known violinists who have no idea whatsoever about teaching technique. However, they're wonderful when they work with players who already have those skills in place, at developing the deepest of musical awarenesses.

It's a rock and a hard place: imagine trying to introduce some accreditation system, expecting top performers to take months out of their schedule to get a certification. We'd lose those teachers who are doing that essential work with players of exceptional potential, as well as weeding out the more problematic ones such as you describe.

To the OP: no, not too late. I suspect there's people here who will be able to give you recommendations privately of teachers it might be worth contacting for consultation lessons - especially if you give us a rough idea of your location.

[Tenor Viol]

Whilst I have no aspirations to becoming an opera singer, I did want to sing and I puit it off until I was over 33. It's a matter of finding a teacher / tutor that suits you - and it may take several as you progress. I'm now a decent baritone, and can sight read to a reasonable standard and I've performed difficult music to a high standard. BUT and it's a big but, I'm happy to sing down to 2 to a part, but the moment I go solo, I tend to lose the plot. I'm better than I was, but I suspect it woudl need some intensive coaching to sort that out and I don't have the time (or the spare dosh!) to sort that out.

My teacher was a counter-tenor and had performed as a professional, but was mostly a teacher (you have to be very lucky to make a living as a soloist or opera performer).

Big lungs aren't the issue, it's controlling the flow of air....

Good luck finding a teacher - there are others here who could advise you in that direction.

[Dugazon]

It's a rock and a hard place: imagine trying to introduce some accreditation system, expecting top performers to take months out of their schedule to get a certification. We'd lose those teachers who are doing that essential work with players of exceptional potential, as well as weeding out the more problematic ones such as you describe.

Indeed. What I was meaning to say is that it really doesn't always matter what "formal" qualifications they have. They need the skill necessary to teach you something at your current level, and that doesn't necessarily go hand in hand with having "letters", or a career as a performer.

Just another thing, so there are no misunderstandings: It's NEVER too late to learn to sing opera (arias), even to a professional standard. That's not the same as being a professional opera singer though. Age is also a considerably bigger issue for beginning/graduating opera singers than for e.g. concert singers, or other instrumentalists.
From experience, I stand by my words: 26 is rather old if you are a complete beginner and still want a stage career. Possible: Yes, if you are an exceptional talent, have an unusual voice (rather true dramatic than artificially beefed-up lyric, and for a woman rather low mezzo or contralto than soprano), work your socks off and are extremely lucky. Likely: Much less so (especially not if you are a lighter soprano or soubrette).

[jod]

Dugazon is right about the fact the profession is unregulated. She is also right that just because someone is a fine singer does not mean they can teach.

Both the British Voice Association (BVA) and AoTOS Assocation of Teachers of Singing promote safe teaching of singing, and when talking to a singing teacher good signs are: having studied vocal physiology with a member of either of these associations at Undergraduate or Postgraduate level, having a book shelf full of relevant texts and clearly being able to teach, the singing teacher having a voice that does not sound like it has been thrashed to death.

Continued interest in physiology and being a good lateral thinker together with a sound knowledge of the repertoire and technique associated with Opera are the qualifications one should look for in a good teacher.

Trust your instincts.

Your teacher does not have to be built like a brick-out house. They can be very petite and still fill an opera house or theatre un-miced. Singing teachers come in all shapes and sizes.

As Dugazon said 26 is a little late for an absolute beginner, but not unheard of. You would have to do lots of stamina training. Pilates and Swimming will help build the core muscles and give you a head start on slow exhalation whilst being physical.

Vocally one needs to build up the amount of practise or else it is a rebuild time and that is not good.

If you smell a rat, there probably is one, so change teacher.

Good luck.

[svelte]

Thankyou for the detailed information everyone., this is a very helpful forum. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
My social anxiety is improving somewhat, I think it will not be a problem in the future.
I think I would really like to give this a shot, it would be fun to try to get to professional level, even if I cannot have a career.

I had no idea, exercise such as swimming could help with singing, I am pleasntly surprised. I have been powerlifting for around 10 years, which is good for core strength. I am really quite bad at it considering the amount of time spent, but I can still lift about 400lbs.. this is more maximal short burst stregnth than endurance though.. well I could start swimming again, it is also pleasantly easy on the joints. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Could anyone possibly message me any recommendations for the South West area, Plymouth in particular?
Thankyou. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[jod]

Thankyou for the detailed information everyone., this is a very helpful forum. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
My social anxiety is improving somewhat, I think it will not be a problem in the future.
I think I would really like to give this a shot, it would be fun to try to get to professional level, even if I cannot have a career.

I had no idea, exercise such as swimming could help with singing, I am pleasntly surprised. I have been powerlifting for around 10 years, which is good for core strength. I am really quite bad at it considering the amount of time spent, but I can still lift about 400lbs.. this is more maximal short burst stregnth than endurance though.. well I could start swimming again, it is also pleasantly easy on the joints. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Could anyone possibly message me any recommendations for the South West area, Plymouth in particular?
Thankyou. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

You have mail, and the teacher in question is expecting to hear from you.

Swimming requires controlled breathing, especially if you are doing crawl and for any distance. Controlled breathing using the tranverse and oblique abdominal muscles for stablisation (essential for 800-1600m worth of crawl if you are breathing on both sides) is also what is needed by a singer.

I rebuilt those muscles after a C-section to singing strength using a combination of swimming and Pilates. With the Power-lifting too, it will only be the gradual time build up for hours singing you will have to work on.

The concept of the singer-athlete is one many do not get. Even if we do eventually suffer from a bit of middle-age spread, the core strength needs to be there. Particularly if you have any desire to perform for more than 40 minutes and on the stage.

When I have had to act and dance whilst singing, I've been hoisted in the air, thrown around the place, horizontal, and still expected to fill an auditorium as I would do if I were static and in the ideal pose.

Delivering an aria, whilst dancing a waltz is a different beast that singing one whilst stationary (especially when spins are added, spot, or you'll fall over) There was an interesting article in the Independent about the difference between concert work and operatic work. Operatic work (I've not done that much) requires a level of fitness and body awareness above and beyond that required for singing oratorio or recitals. It is fun, but do not underestimate the physicality of it.