Meet the finest young classical singers in our region as our new Samling Academy cohort share their passion and talent in an afternoon of song and opera, accompanied by Samling Artist pianists George Ireland, Francesca Lauri, Leo Nicholson, Harry Rylance, Jo Ramadan and Jonathan Ware.

The singers you’ll see this afternoon have been selected by audition from secondary schools and universities from the Tweed to the Tees for a unique programme of intensive coaching in classical singing. They’ll be sharing a selection of solos, duets and ensembles including popular classics and new discoveries.

This concert follows six days of intensive coaching during which these extraordinary young singers have worked with leading vocal teachers, opera singers, pianists and stagecraft specialists under the direction of Caroline Dowdle, vocal coach at Royal Opera and Ballet.

Samling Academy Leaders 2025

Caroline Dowdle Music Director
Joan Rodgers soprano
James Garnon actor
Desireé Kongerød, movement coach

Samling Artists 
Miranda Wright vocal teacher
Katherine Aitken mezzo-soprano
Nick Pritchard tenor
Jonathan Ware piano and vocal coach
Jo Ramadan piano and vocal coach
Alfred Fardell piano
George Ireland piano
Francesca Lauri piano
Leo Nicholson piano
Daniel Peter Silcock piano
Harry Rylance piano