National Opera Studio

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The National Opera Studio was established by the Arts Council as a link between the music colleges and the six main UK opera companies. It was resident at Morley College in Lambeth until 2003, when it gained use for the first time of its own dedicated premises in Chapel Yard, Wandsworth. Its director is the operatic baritone Donald Maxwell, its Head of Music the conductor Roy Laughlin, and its General Manager Hugh Lloyd. It is responsible for the training of approximately twelve singers each academic year, as well as three piano repetiteurs. Its funding comes in part from the six main UK opera companies - The Royal Opera House, English National Opera, Welsh National Opera, Scottish Opera, Opera North and the Glyndebourne Festival Opera. Representatives from each company sit on the final audition panel for selection of each year's intake. The one-year course usually includes residencies at two of the national opera companies, as well as a London showcase towards the end of the year.