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Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and operatic tenor Dennis O’Neill launch the University's International Academy of Voice

21.06.2011

Dame Kiri Te Kanawa officially launched the University of Wales Trinity Saint David International Academy of Voice last Saturday, during a break in her schedule as a judge in the thrilling Cardiff International Singer of the World competition of which she is also a patron.

The Wales International Academy of Voice, under the directorship of its founder, Welsh tenor Dennis O'Neill CBE, will be based in Cardiff and Lampeter and will open its doors this September.

A passionate supporter of new operatic talent, Dame Kiri, who is also the Academy’s Honorary President, said

“I am delighted to be closely involved in the Academy and to have the opportunity to bring innovative ideas to the development of singers for the profession. I am keen to support the Academy every step of the way and I congratulate the University on its development”.

The Academy will provide advanced voice coaching to young professional opera singers from all over the world in the early stages of their careers. The MA Advance Vocal Studies course involves instruction via individual coaching and master classes and all vocal recitals by the Academy's students and will be open to the public.

Professor Medwin Hughes, Vice-Chancellor with Dennis O’Neill, CBE

Dennis O'Neill is one of the world's leading operatic tenors explains:

"The Wales International Academy of Voice will provide world-class teaching and give students an unrivalled opportunity to learn from the greatest and most experienced figures in opera, including renowned singers, directors and producers."

"Frequent public concerts and performances will ensure that audiences both locally and internationally are able to see future opera stars in the making and share in their career development. The performances will also give our students valuable stage experience and introduce many of them to the demands of performing full-scale productions."

The Vice Chancellor, Professor Medwin Hughes says:

"We are delighted to be working with Dennis O'Neill on the development of this truly international conservatoire for the voice. The new Wales International Academy of Voice is based on developing excellence and it will nurture outstanding early-career opera artists with the aim that they will go on to achieve international success and perform in opera houses around the world.

“The University of Wales Trinity Saint David has developed a reputation for its bilingual education and training within the creative and performing arts. The establishment of the Academy with Dennis O’Neill as director and Dame Kiri Te Kanawa as honorary president attests to our strong commitment to the development of the arts in Wales."

Note to Editor

The University of Wales Trinity Saint David is working with Swansea Metropolitan University, Coleg Sir Gâr, Pembrokeshire College and Coleg Ceredigion to create a dual sector university. This means that the institutions will work as a group to provide progression routes and choices for students as well as programmes of study that respond to the needs of employers in the region
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