(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.

[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).