Students shine following an operatic masterclass

Singing students were in full voice when they were given a masterclass by Opera singer Graeme Danby.

Graeme, Principal Bass in the English National Opera, held a two day coaching session with students, who then gave a live performance at Middlesbrough College.

The talented students learnt and choreographed a trio of well known songs from musicals, including All That Jazz.

Following rigorous rehearsals, they went out and staged a surprise public performance, which was well-received by dozens of spectators. The students who took part were from the following courses:

• BA (Hons) Dance
• BA (Hons) Performance for Live and Recorded Media
• Foundation Degree in Performance Events Production.

Huge sense of fun and achievement

Graeme, who is originally from Consett, County Durham, said: ‘I thought the students were wonderful and it was a big, big, learning curve for them.

‘It was fun and that’s what I wanted it to be. The look on their faces at the end of All That Jazz, at the end of Razzle Dazzle, was this sense of fun, but also an overwhelming sense of achievement.’

Sharon Paterson, Assistant Dean (Curriculum Development, Educational Partnerships, Innovation and Opportunity) School of Arts & Media, added: ‘It was wonderful to see the students enjoying themselves so much and performing with such panache.

‘I think the quality of the work that has been produced is evidence of what happens to students when you raise their game. You expect that they will rise to the occasion and indeed they have.’

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