Photo credit - Elise Bakketun
“I cannot overstate how much this course helped me. For dramatic singers, the chance to sing to our peers in a friendly, supportive, and professionally rigorous setting is so rare and so valuable, allowing us to learn from colleagues with a huge range of experience. Performing to them is a massive benefit; hearing them sing, and watching Alwyn work with them, makes the benefit even greater. It’s a truly healthy musical environment.
Spending a full day this way is such a boost. Participants make new contacts, encounter new repertoire, open up new paths of work. Alwyn’s coaching is just so skilful, both on technique and on performance, and she fits the coaching to the singer, letting widely different voices learn from each other’s development. It’s serious learning, with a lot of laughter along the way.
This course is pretty much unique in our area of music. Long may it continue!"
Cressida
“Alwyn is an absolute master of her craft; being under her supportive guidance and witnessing her expert knowledge of the voice and the repertoire was fantastic! The supportive group dynamic was enabled by her.”
Helen
“It has been an absolute pleasure to work with Alwyn, both for individual lessons at her studio in Cardiff, and at group masterclasses. Alwyn is so incredibly knowledgeable, she has given me so many technical thoughts that I have been able to apply to my singing and see immediate improvements. I love how she combines technical work with the importance of character and text. Most of all, Alwyn creates a warm and supportive environment where I feel able to take risks and attempt new things. She is able to use her wealth of knowledge as a first-class performer to inform everything that she is passing on. In the masterclasses it was incredibly valuable to watch her work with other singers and see from ‘outside’ how much she was able to transform everybody’s singing.”
Madeleine
“Really positive, highly informed and supportive leadership from Alwyn, and an engaged set of students made this a really encouraging group.”
Sophie
“The small voice workshops are invaluable for those singers who find themselves transitioning into the dramatic fach. Whether one is working on a specific role, seeking repertoire advice or technical help, Alwyn creates a safe space to explore the dramatic world and share ideas and performances in front of supportive peers. Most dramatic voices come later in life when singers are holding down portfolio careers, raising children or caring for parents, and it can be difficult and costly to find the right support. The workshops bridge the gap between private study and auditions, and enable singers to feel prepared and nurtured as they bravely strike out in a new direction.”
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Nina
"Alwyn's course was highly beneficial for an emerging dramatic voice. The opportunity to perform challenging arias in a safe and supportive environment, receiving feedback from both Alwyn and my peers, was both helpful and encouraging. Observing Alwyn work with the other singers also offered plenty of insight into the technique involved in singing this demanding repertoire, as well as inspiration to learn and perform, and forming lovely connections with colleagues was an added bonus."
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Claire
“I highly recommend Alwyn Mellor as a singing teacher and dramatic repertoire coach. Not only is she an incredible singer, but she is also kind and generous with her time, creating a supportive and nurturing environment. Her knowledge of vocal technique and
dramatic repertoire is unparalleled, especially as it’s rare to find a teacher with such extensive experience performing this demanding material. Alwyn’s expertise and firsthand insight make her an invaluable guide for any singer pursuing dramatic roles.”
Eimear​
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“It’s a great privilege to be able to continue to develop as a singer within a masterclass environment and to learn from professionals. Alwyn’s masterclass series for larger voices delivers a safe and welcoming environment to work on all aspects of repertoire. With her warm and collaborative approach and extensive knowledge she also invites excellent repetiteurs to accompany the singers; who also contribute to the singers development. Definitely worth the investment.”
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Marrianne Town Smith​
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“Alwyn is replete with knowledge and focus, especially when it comes to the German repertoire. We worked on Wagner's Alberich and she offered lots of wonderful insights with regards to the character, as well as the music itself. The most memorable thing, however, was the warmth with which all this was delivered. She always treats you as a colleague, even when she's mentoring.”
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Aleksi​
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“I went into the One Day Course not knowing what to expect, and frankly I was nervous after a long break away from singing. I needn't have worried. Alwyn has created the rarest of things: a truly supportive, warm and safe environment in which to learn and grow.
That one day gave me more confidence in my singing than I've had in years, and has spurred me on to do another one soon - and take more risks this time!
Alwyn's vast knowledge and experience was inspirational to witness. She treated every artist with kindness and respect, asking thought-provoking questions and drawing something special out of everyone. Of particular note was the camaraderie between the participants, which added a delightful touch to an enjoyable and fruitful day of learning.
I cannot recommend these courses more highly, both for those who are beginning to dip a toe into the dramatic repertoire, or those who have jumped in with both feet."
Laura
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“I attended this course as a last minute space became available, not knowing anyone else
attending. From the first email contact with Alwyn and throughout the day I was struck by the warmth of the whole process. It is incredibly valuable to be part of other singers journeys, realising that whatever stage we are at we all have stuff we are dealing with and this very safe space allowed vulnerability and growth. This coupled with Alwyn’s incredible knowledge of both the voice and the repertoire is amazing. I highly recommend the experience and look forward to returning for more!"
Jon​
“I highly recommend Alwyn Mellor's one day courses for dramatic voices. Alwyn is a truly lovely teacher with a wealth of knowledge and experience that she shares joyfully and kindly. Watching Alwyn work with a group of singers was a lot of fun, and I learnt so much just from watching others work with her. Alwyn created a supportive atmosphere within the group, and I felt comfortable and confident to work with her in front of others. The communication within the groups was always positive and we all learnt together. It was nice to be able to share my strengths and struggles with a group of singers with similar voice types. The day was well planned with enough time to work as well as discuss within the group. I have booked in again and I am really looking forward to it!"
Lorna​
"I thoroughly enjoyed Alwyn's recent one-day course for dramatic voices, and found it a superb resource. It was a day full of constructive insight, details, and support, and it was a joy to work with Alwyn and Peter alongside my fellow participants. Already looking forward to the next time!"
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Caroline
"I attended Alwyn's one day course for Dramatic Voices at the end of February - I found the supportive environment created by Alwyn, Peter Selwyn and the other participants to be very conducive to trying out new pieces. It is often difficult to stand up new repertoire and/ or old repertoire with a new technique in front of colleagues, but I found the atmosphere created made everyone more willing to try things out. Both Alwyn and Peter (Selwyn) were very knowledgeable and made great suggestions not only for myself but for other participants, and so the sense of learning from each other was strong. Highly recommend and would do it again."
Grainne
"I thoroughly enjoyed the one day course with Alwyn Mellor. She created a safe, supportive, but energised environment in which all were valued and listened to. She had an enormous amount of technical expertise and experience of the opera and oratorio world to draw on, and each person was given time and appropriate constructive feedback. We went away with plenty to work on, but feeling good about our performances which is a delicate balance to achieve. I would highly recommend these one day courses for serious singers."
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Anna
"My one-to-one coaching session with Alwyn was incredibly inspiring. Her insight into dramatic voices is exceptional; it's a rare privilege to work with someone who understands not just the voice, but also the repertoire and the unique demands of each role.
She helped me connect my top notes to the breath in a way that felt extremely freeing, and we explored how my body could work harder but also more efficiently as a whole, to generate the breath energy needed, in order to meet the demands of the dramatic repertoire that I'm singing. Her enthusiasm is infectious - it gave me the courage to experiment and trust the process and the results were really exciting!
I left feeling uplifted and motivated, with a real sense of direction. I'm excited to dive into new repertoire and can't wait for my next session."
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Erika