Monday, 14 July
Genesis Foundation announces two new appointments
Genesis Trainee Répétiteur at Welsh National Opera and Genesis Sixteen Student Conductor
The Genesis Foundation has extended the range of artists it supports with the appointment of David Doidge as Genesis Trainee Répétiteur at Welsh National Opera and Robbie Jacobs who joins Genesis Sixteen as their first student conductor.
John Studzinski, Founder and Chairman of the Genesis Foundation said:
“I’m delighted that the Genesis Foundation is increasing its support for two of its partners, The Sixteen and Welsh National Opera. Both are led by visionaries who are committed to enabling young artistic talent to develop their skills within their own organisations. This is a tangible example of the Genesis Foundation’s sustained nurturing strategy made possible through the strength of its partnerships. We look forward greatly to watching these gifted individuals progress under Harry Christophers and David Pountney’s leadership.”
New Genesis Trainee Répétiteur at Welsh National Opera
Welsh National Opera and the Genesis Foundation have selected David Doidge as Genesis Trainee Répétiteur. David will join WNO in September for two years and will start by working on Carmen followed by Chorus! and The Magic Flute. The Genesis Trainee Répétiteur role gives an emerging musician the chance to be mentored by WNO music staff.
David studied at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff both as an undergraduate pianist and on the postgraduate Opera and Vocal Studies programme. David is a frequent guest performer at La Mortella on the Italian island of Ischia (home of Sir William and Lady Susana Walton), and has also performed with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. He has worked with WNO previously, most notably during WNO’s 2013 performances of Berg’s Lulu where he was the on-stage pianist.
David says:
“I’m really excited to be joining WNO, having already worked on and off with the Company over the last four years. I’m really looking forward to being a part of the music team and to this fantastic opportunity to work with world-renowned musicians and singers.”
This new role is the next stage in WNO’s partnership with the Genesis Foundation, which began in January 2013 with the appointment of Polly Graham as Genesis Assistant Director with WNO. During her apprenticeship with WNO, Polly has worked on a range of repertoire from Lulu in 2013 and a world stage premiere of The Fall of the House of Usher in 2014, to the acclaimed WNO Youth Opera production, Paul Bunyan.
New Student Conductor for Genesis Sixteen
A graduate of King’s College, Cambridge, Robbie Jacobs is currently studying for a Masters in Choral Conducting at the Royal Academy of Music in London. He will participate in all four Genesis Sixteen courses during 2014/15 and will conduct some public performances. Speaking about the effect of Genesis Sixteen on singers who are now regular members of his own vocal ensemble ‘Reverie’, Robbie said that the scheme has had a “transformative impact on their musical perspectives and increased the scope of their career aspirations”. His choral experience, including work with London Youth Choir to date encompasses a wide range of activities including vocal coaching in Kigali, Rwanda, and he said that he was excited at the prospect of being a part of Genesis Sixteen and working with Harry Christophers and Eamonn Dougan.
Genesis Sixteen is The Sixteen’s free young artists’ scheme which aims to nurture the next generation of talented ensemble singers. During the course of a year, a series of week-long and weekend courses are led by key figures from The Sixteen, including Founder and Conductor Harry Christophers and Associate Conductor Eamonn Dougan. Participants receive group tuition, individual mentoring and masterclasses run by some of the industry’s top vocal experts. Thanks to a close partnership with the Genesis Foundation participants not only receive free tuition but also a bursary to cover all additional costs.
Notes to Editors
Genesis Sixteen will perform on Saturday 19 July as part of ‘Sounds Sublime’ – a free day-long festival celebrating young choral talent.The festival includes pop-up performances in the National Gallery, concerts in St Martin-in-the-Fields, come and sing events and family workshops.
http://thesixteeneducation.com/sounds-sublime-festival/
For more information please contact George Chambers at Albion Media, george@albion-media.com / 0207 3077 4942