There are no third level programmes for rehearsal pianists/accompanists or opera singers in Northern Ireland, so NI Opera, as the national opera company and an arts charity, provides professional development opportunities to classical musicians based in the country. Without fully-trained, experienced pianists, it is difficult for us to rehearse and to put on smaller concerts and events, so increasing the pool of pianists with this specific skillset will help us expand our reach and audience too.

We will hold auditions to identify pianists who have the ability to become accompanists or rehearsal pianists but who lack training and performance experience. Over the course of six months in 2027, we will provide coaching with opera professionals and repetiteurs, experience in the rehearsal room for our main stage opera and smaller performance opportunities working in concert settings with our emerging opera singers. This also provides the pianists with valuable networking opportunities.