Description
South East Area Professional Development Day
From Song to Speech and Speech to Song: A collaborative Vocal Journey Elevating the Classical Performer with Barbara Houseman and Raymond Connell.
Sunday 4 May 2025
9.30am–5pm
Guildhall School of Music, London
We invite you to a dynamic and interactive day focused on exploring the synergy between different vocal disciplines. This unique event will feature back-to-back masterclasses with Professor Raymond Connell from the Royal Academy of Music, and acclaimed spoken voice coach and author, Barbara Houseman.
Throughout the day, you’ll observe advanced classical vocal students as they work with these two distinguished professionals, navigating the complex balance between sung and spoken voice techniques. Witness firsthand how different coaching methods can complement each other in developing a well-rounded and versatile performer.
The day will culminate in a lively discussion on the power of collaboration between singing and spoken voice coaches, exploring how this integrated approach can unlock new potential in student performers. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in a Q&A session with both the masterclass students and the teaching experts, ensuring a deeply interactive and thought-provoking experience.
Barbara Houseman has worked in theatre for over 45 years. She spent six years in the Voice Department at the Royal Shakespeare Company, then was Associate Director at the Young Vic. For the last 26 years she has been freelance. Among other clients she coaches Cush Jumbo, Jude Law and Daniel Radcliffe (including on How to Succeed in Business and Merrily We Roll Along). She was Season Associate Director-Voice & Text at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre from 2014 to 2022. She has worked on numerous shows in the West End including Endgame and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead -Old Vic; Macbeth, Richard iii and Dr Faustus – Jamie Lloyd company; Natasha, Pierre and the Comet of 1812, Fear of 13, Macbeth, The Human Body, All Female Trilogy, Coriolanus, Les Liaisons Dangerous and St Joan – Donmar; The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night time and The Ferryman – Gielgud. She is a visiting lecturer at the University of Connecticut, author of Finding Your Voice and Tackling Text and Actor Food Masterclasses “Developing Your Voice” and “Bringing the Text to Life”. She runs Acting for Singing and Singing for Actors Masterclasses with New York based singing teacher Katy Wolfe.
Raymond Connell is an internationally recognised voice specialist, teacher of singing, and pedagogue with thriving private studios in London and Zurich. He is a Professor of Singing at the Royal Academy of Music, London, and has held esteemed teaching roles at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music, University of Queensland, Melbourne University, and the Victorian College of the Arts. In 2024, Raymond was honoured with an Honorary Associate of the Royal Academy of Music (Hon ARAM) for his outstanding contribution.
Renowned for his holistic approach, Raymond specialises in rehabilitating injured voices, correcting technical faults, and training singers, repetiteurs, and vocal coaches. His unique integration of structural integration therapy into voice training fosters resilient and versatile performers.
A trusted advisor and coach for Hollywood films, television, and recording artists, Raymond’s students perform at leading opera houses worldwide, including The Royal Opera House Covent Garden, English National Opera, Paris Opera, Bayreuth Festspielhaus, Deutsche Oper Berlin, The Metropolitan Opera New York, San Francisco Opera, Opera Australia and the Vienna State Opera.
Raymond is a passionate advocate for multidisciplinary voice training, empowering singers to achieve artistic excellence and technical mastery.
Do contact your Area Representative Emily Gray if you have any questions: s[email protected]
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Date: Sunday 4 May 2025
Time: 10am–5pm
Venue:
Lecture Recital Room
Guildhall School of Music and Drama
London
EC2Y 8DT
- Early bird rate for AOTOS members until 30 March – £45
- AOTOS member plus guest (non-member) – £90
- Standard rate – £70
- Coffee and tea provided. Delegates bring their own lunch.
There is one bursary place available for each Area Day event if the cost is prohibitive. Bursary applications must be received by 30 March 2025. Please contact [email protected] for an application form.
CANCELLATION
As a charitable organisation, we regret that AOTOS is unable to refund any bookings once made. AOTOS reserves the right to cancel an Area Day from one month prior if insufficient bookings are received. A full refund will be made for any pre-existing bookings in this case.
