After the success of their inaugural retreat at Glyndebourne in 2023, Swap'ra is partnering with Britten Pear Arts to hold their next retreat here at Snape Maltings in March 2025.

An inspiring residential course, providing support , training and skills development for parents who have given birth recently and who are facing barriers to returning to singing careers in the opera industry. This intensive course will provide a small group of participants the tools with which to improve physical and emotional wellbeing, rebuilding confidence to enable self-promotion for future professional opportunities, and to develop a community network of parents with similar lived experiences.

The carefully curated programme of activity includes:

• Sessions with a performance psychology coach.
• Group yoga sessions focussing on core strength rehabilitation.
• Individual coaching sessions.
• Informal discussions with peers who understand the precise pressures and obstacles faced by fellow opera parents.
• Masterclasses led by expert vocal and acting coaches.
• Vocal massage technique workshop.
• Professional recordings of two audition arias that can be used to support your return to auditions and professional engagements.

Applications are now open - apply here.

SWAP'ra (Supporting Women and Parents in Opera) was established to find ways to champion and generate more opportunities for women in senior and creative roles in classical music, and to dismantle outdated attitudes towards the compatibility of parenthood and a career in this sector.