190 Educators providing Opera courses delivered Online

case (co-operative and social enterprise)

abram ward community cooperative

Abram Ward Community Cooperative

operationfit

Personal Training Manchester | OperationFIT - Diet & Exercise Personal trainers in Manchester. Functional fitness & weight loss indoors and outdoors. Book a complimentary consultation today

sonopera

Sonopera®CIC creates and produces innovative stage works and participatory music projects which tell stories about people, and the landscapes they live in, through the expressive power of music and sound.

blackshuckcooperative

oxford high school

elcome to our website and our history. Oxford High School (OHS) to its devotees is a place of scholarship and learning tempered by spirit, fun and community. Justifiably proud of its extraordinary academic outcomes, OHS is a place where young women are prepared for a world where they give back to others who have not had the same opportunities. A place where young women are prepared for the demands of the future, led by committed and dedicated staff absolutely devoted to their students’ wellbeing and achievement. The women who find their way here are curious, sparky and delight in challenge of any kind, whether it is joining the water polo club, singing opera for the first time or managing our very own hives of bees. Leadership opportunities abound and we are so proud that our students lead the school, put on world rivalling conferences, write to world leaders and enable opportunities for all those around us. We are also lucky enough to be in the heart of a city which thrives on curiosity and learning. That is reflected at OHS, where Academics come into school to demonstrate the accessibility of an academic career as well as share the excitement of challenging world constraints, whether forging ahead with a new vaccine (Dr Sarah Gilbert), working to ensure that everyone belongs in a diverse world (Aduke Onafowokan) or even managing a country in the middle of a pandemic (Jacinda Ardern). These are not leaders who speak to the school as requested by staff, but rather our students who are given the confidence and aspiration to put their dreams into action. Don’t make the mistake, however, of believing that OHS is purely academic; we, and the Girls’ Day School Trust, understand how high achieving women learn, thrive and flourish. The Trust enables our young people to access a network of over 25 other schools, conferences run by women for women across the country, and an astonishing alumnae network of over 70,000 former pupils who are extending a hand to help your daughter find her own place in the outside world. Our pastoral care nurtures our young women to ensure that they succeed at their pace. Despite being a bigger school, our staff are absolutely dedicated to the young women in their care, get to know them and their ways of learning and do all they can to support them. That does not mean we lower our expectations but rather extend the safety net to ensure they are lifted towards their dreams. Any website can only give you a flavour of what happens beyond the doors but I urge you to come in, meet me and our dedicated staff whether virtually or in ‘real life’, and, above all, enjoy the sparky, original, curious, lively young women who flourish and thrive here. I look forward to sharing with you the magic of opportunity, fun and spirit that pervades our school.

musica universalis organization

Award-winning conductor, pianist and composer, Claudio Di Meo has established himself internationally as an exceptional talent in orchestral and choral music, bringing clarity, integrity and dynamism to his interpretation of wide-ranging repertoire. Winner of the International Conducting Competition Westminster London with the London Classical Soloists, Claudio Di Meo began his musical life in Italy, where he studied piano, composition and conducting, winning First Prize at the Italian National Choir Conducting Competition in 2011 and First Prize at the Enrico Caruso International Competition in 2014. An ardent exponent of the music of Sibelius, Claudio is a member of the prestigious Sibelius Society Italia, whose Honorary President is Sir Antonio Pappano. Claudio Di Meo has performed regularly on the international stage, including appearances in Hungary (Olasz VendègKòrus Concert Hall, Budapest), Sri Lanka (A New Direction International Performing Arts Festival, Colombo), Mexico (Festival de las Almas, Valle de Bravo), Lebanon (Al Bustan Festival, Beirut), Singapore (The Silent Lines of Its Lips), Cyprus (Lefkoşa International Festival), France (La scene Parisienne), and the USA (2014 New Year Concert, St. John the Divine Cathedral, New York). Recent chamber music engagements include performances with soprano Olivia Robinson (BBC Singers), Nicholas Korth (Co-principal Horn BBC Symphony Orchestra), Selena Markson (Co-principal Clarinet of Goteborgs Symfoniker), Susanna Candlin (former Co-leader London Mozart Players) and Hans Adler (Principal double bass of Goteborgs Symfoniker). In addition to conducting, Claudio Di Meo is widely experienced in film music, musical theatre and thematic musical stage productions as both pianist and composer. A specialist in Italian film music, Claudio Di Meo won a composition award in 2013 from the Governor of the State of Mexico and the Director of the National Conservatory in Mexico City in recognition of his “great professionalism and future potential as a composer of music for cinema.” Recent highlights include a production of Maria Callas The Black Pearl, which premiered in a series of performances at the prestigious Esplanade Theatre in Singapore and subsequently in Paris and at Grange Park Opera in England, with Claudio Di Meo as Music Director and composer.. Claudio Di Meo’s discography as a pianist includes recordings of Ravel’s Ma mère l’Oye and Debussy’s Six épigraphes antiques, as well as his own compositions Oceano di cielo and most recently, Memories, a collection of 10 pieces for solo piano. This collection has also been published by Upper Esk Music, alongside Three Motets for the Virgin Mary, a collection of his choral music. Claudio Di Meo recognises the importance of music education and is highly skilled in developing the talent of young performers. Appointed Principal Conductor of Dacorum Youth Orchestra in September 2015, Claudio Di Meo continues to inspire a new generation of musicians with his infectious enthusiasm and commitment to achieving high levels of performance. In October 2018 he was appointed Principal Conductor of the Hemel Symphony Orchestra and, as a freelance conductor, has been invited to work with other London-based orchestras, including the London Classical Soloists, Trinity Orchestra Harrow, and Watford Symphony Orchestra, among others. In May 2020 Claudio Di Meo has also been appointed Principal Conductor of the Kensington Philharmonic Orchestra, in London.

paradigm arts

Over the last twenty years I have worked tirelessly to develop a methodology and an infrastructure for partner agencies, cultural organisations, artists, practitioners and schools, to provide children and young people with access to a high quality offer of Arts and Cultural experiences. I have developed arts and cultural strategy for local authorities, been responsible for the development and successful delivery of large arts and cultural events and I have advised national agencies on the development of strategic resourcing and programming, to encourage the widest possible engagement and impact from investment. I am passionate about the role that the arts and culture should play in the life of the child and I am determined to help the UK preserve its identity as one of the worlds creative powerhouses. Fostering links for young people with creative industries and ensuring that classroom based activity has a tangible and meaningful link with the world beyond the school gates is of paramount importance. My work across all sectors of education has been to try and bring together a framework of experiences and opportunities, designed to help children and young people translate early educational achievement into meaningful attainment and develop the critical and creative skills vital for their future. Sam Atkins Hi, I'm Sam and have been working within the media and education industry for twenty years. Following a successful career in TV production I was appointed the role of a broadcast journalist with the BBC. Whilst with the BBC (Nations and Regions) I was part of the development team that established the highly successful BBC News School Report and BBC Parachutes programmes working with young people to produce professional level news packages for BBC output. In 2008 I established C1 Media Ltd, a media in education business, and to date have engaged with over 6500 young people from primary, secondary special, college and higher education sectors. Within my first year of operation with the Arts Service at CfBT Education Trust, we also launched The Young Journalist Academy in 2008. This highly successful education programme provides professional level training for children and young people. Partnerships developed over the years for both the YJA programme and other projects include: The Royal Albert Hall, BBC, English National Ballet, RAF, The Guardian, Cirque du Soleil, National Theatre and Royal Opera House. Sara Bullimore I have been working in the arts and cultural sector for over 20 years and during this time I have developed not only my own professional skills but more importantly, created high quality opportunities for commuities to participate, learn and enjoy the role arts and culture play in our lives. Initiating, delivering and managing a vast range of artistic projects both as an independent freelance arts consultant and in previous roles as the Arts Development Officer at City of Lincoln Council and at National Dance Agencies in Nottingham and London, have helped me to understand the value and critical importance of collaboration and partnership working. In particular my personal passions are literature and dance - I fully believe in the transformative power meaningful participation in quality arts and culture can have on a person's life - regardless of age or ability! I have extensive experience working with mupltiple partners and funders on projects. Working for the City of Lincoln Council I created and managed the Cultural Sector Partnership - working with partners in the private and public sector, heritage, arts and sports to develop strategies, conferences and cross cutting artistic programmes and festivals. I have undertaken and continue to work independently with Lincolnshire County Council, Writing East Midlands, Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage, Shakespeare Schools Festival, Kazzum Theatre Arts, University of Lincoln, Lincoln Business Improvement Group and Arts Council of England to name a few. Living in Linclonshire I am passionate about helping to esnure that connectivity exists between national and regional activities - helping to promote the best connectivity between opportunities and links between organisations.

her next chapter

Tenacious. Terrific. Trustworthy. Truthful. And sometimes Trouble. When you ask my family, friends and coworkers about me, they will probably list these attributes. Or qualities. For good and for bad. I am the only child to my mother Grace and my father Ken who met in Blackpool, England during the Second World War, which means much of my family resides in England. Including my daughter who met my son-in-law during her junior year abroad at Oxford University. I grew up not knowing that my mother had an accent, never understanding the difference between English and American terminology so that even today I will say a word and people will look perplexed, and I realize I am using the English word and not the American one. I’m an only child because my parents decided traveling back to England would be very difficult with more children. My father made a point to keep me from being spoiled which was a double-edged sword because his lack of praise left me with a feeling that I had to try twice as hard as anyone else just to keep up. The end result is one very motivated woman, and I constantly seek continued learning and new challenges. My first words were undoubtedly “When are you going to give me a horse?” and thus Patience Prize and I became a team when I was 14. My father once again made sure I knew the horse was not to be taken for granted when he said, “Now you’ve got a horse, you’d better get a job. And you won’t be paid for mowing the lawn anymore.” My love of animals produced my first job at the local veterinarians cleaning up cages and feeding animals. One small dog had broken her two front legs, was terribly vicious, and no one could touch her. After her surgery she was crammed up in a corner while still asleep, and I moved her into a more comfortable position and, of course, petted her and spoke to her. After that I was the only one who could open her cage and touch her without getting bitten. She must have known my smell. Years passed and I became both a photojournalist and regular journalist with local Berkshire County Massachusetts newspapers. When I returned to college to complete my bachelor’s degree, my journalism provided me with life experience credits and thus I completed my BA in English. What to do next? I had student loans, so I needed either grad school or a second job. My daughter waitressed at a local restaurant open only on weekends and they said they needed a dishwasher, so she said, “My brother needs a job.” Then they asked, “So who else do you have at home?” and she said, “My mom.” Thus, I tried the second job routine as a waitress. We served wine in long-stemmed glasses and carried them on a tray. During one shift I was at a table of two women and the tray started to tilt, and I couldn’t stop it! So, I stood there and watched the wine glasses crash down on the table and splash everywhere. It was not a happy time for all involved. So, I said, “That’s it, I’m going to grad school.” I took my daughter and son to see Phantom of the Opera on Broadway, we ate at the Russian Tea Room, and I told them they couldn’t bug me for two years. The non-traditional program at Vermont College of Norwich University was a full-time program so I had a full-time job, a full-time grad school program, a son in high school and a daughter in college. During my internship I worked 7:00 a.m. to noon, drove to Albany, New York (a one-hour drive one way), worked at a public relations firm from 1:00 to 6:00 and stopped at the restaurant where my two offspring worked about 7:00 for a glass of wine and a light dinner. Then I realized I didn’t have time to clean the bathroom, so I hired a cleaning lady (very inexpensive in a small town back then) and decided that was an expense associated with grad school. That was a valuable decision. The downside of a small town is that a master’s degree doesn’t allow for many jobs at a living wage. I decided I would move. After networking for several years and finding a church in Washington, DC I moved to northern Virginia on October 2, 1999, never having lived more than 6 miles from where I was born. I got a job the second day. I bought a house that January and a horse, Sonny Madison, in January 2001 and have never regretted my choice or looked back. At some point in 2018 I found Her Nexx Chapter and started writing for them. It provides me with a chance to get in touch with my creative style since my most prevalent job has been a technical writer. Now I’m also the Editorial Project Director and a member of the Advisory Board. It’s a tremendous value to women everywhere, and I always enjoying learning something new and sharing my blogs with the community. So here I am. I’m still horseback riding and trying to keep fit. I try to look for the positive side of life even in times of turmoil – notice I said “try” because sometimes life gets to be a tad difficult. But that’s my story and I’m sticking to it!

invisible advantage ltd

It took us two years to find our company name! We realised that, when you work with us, you get a significant advantage. However, that advantage is ‘Invisible’. We believe that it is only the results of working with us that should be obvious, not the work itself. We all know people who’ve been to talks and training courses who emerge sounding like robots, or with a bunch of notes that just get thrown into a drawer. We never give scripts, or rules. We change people’s behaviour by inspiring them to think differently – so, ‘Invisible Advantage’! Our methodology is based on some simple, but extremely effective ideas: Entertainment and education go hand-in-hand. Every seminar, talk, workshop and training session should entertain at the same time as instruct. It’s the most fool-proof way of influencing people to take notice, to learn and to change their behaviour. The best teaching is easier to remember than to forget. We give people new experiences that will stay with them. Traditionally, delegates have been seen as passive receptacles for knowledge. We don’t believe this is effective – if you were only told how to ride a bike, you’d never learn, however once you’ve experienced riding a bike – you can never forget! On our courses, sessions and talks, attendees are active participants – engaging in learning ideas through enjoyable games, intriguing tasks and strategic exercises that make learning unforgettable and easy to apply. The best learning occurs when someone is presented with challenges, but in a supportive environment. We understand that taking on new ideas is an activity and does take effort, and this is difficult enough without added stress. Our content is carefully designed to become increasingly demanding while keeping the atmosphere fun, stimulating and ‘light’. Everything has to be related to the ‘real world’. Our way of working is designed to give people new skills and ways of thinking that are immediately useful. We keep theory to a minimum, and design our work around real-life role-play scenarios. Instead of talking about networking, we’ll re-create a networking event. Instead of discussing negotiation, we’ll get people negotiating. Instead of ‘presentation skills’ we’ll work with a real presentation. Working in this way means that people immediately see the relevance and are keen to try out their new skills. All the senses have to be engaged to create a rich learning experience. Learning really ‘sticks’ when someone enjoys it and is fully involved. Everyone learns in their own way, some people respond well to text, some to visuals, some to listening and reflecting, and some to getting up on their feet and trying things out on their own. We ensure that everything, from the invitations, through to the sessions and the follow-up, stimulates attendees in all these ways. Self-awareness is the key to change. If we want to develop, in any sphere, we have to know what we’re doing now – how we’re talking, how people react to us, how persuasive we are, how confident we appear, etc. Once we can see that clearly, we begin to see how to change. Woven throughout all of our work is the skill of developing self-awareness: physically, vocally and psychologically. Lee Warren Lee is co-founder of Invisible Advantage and delivers most of the public speaking engagements. He has spoken all over the globe at conferences, association events and internal meetings for many of the world’s largest organisations. He is the author of ‘How to Persuade Anyone To Do Anything (well, almost!)’ and ‘Grown-Ups Don’t Use PowerPoint’, two eBooks designed to help people who need to communicate more effectively in business. He’s currently working on a new book aimed at business presenters, due to be published in 2017. Lee has a strong background in sales, and is one of the U.K.’s most popular magicians – Prince William described him as ‘absolutely amazing’. He’s also a qualified Alexander Technique teacher and theatre writer. He’s written for The Almeida Theatre, The Royal Opera House and The Aldeburgh Festival. Lee is fluent in Spanish and good at playing the piano badly. Lee Warren “I’m passionate about the power of public speaking to create change. When I present, I try to bring the very best of the worlds of magic and business together to deliver something amazing that will also get results by speaking your language. I work hard to make sure that my sessions work for you. Starting with the outcome, I work backwards to design talks, seminars, keynotes & training sessions that are interactive, amazing and inspiring.” James Harwood James Harwood James was a co-founder of Invisible Advantage, and remains a Senior Associate. He advises on larger projects and strategy and delivers some of our training sessions and workshops. As well as a busy corporate trainer, James has been a professional West End actor and a teacher of The Alexander Technique. Matt Boardman Matt Boardman Matt is a presentation coach based in Madrid who also works on business development for Invisible Advantage. We’re convinced this makes us a global company! Matt is a graduate of Cambridge University, and was a leadership consultant at Deloitte. For five years he has delivered training in public speaking, building relationships and influencing techniques to charity volunteers in the UK, Kenya and Uganda. In his spare time he performs stand-up comedy. Our Associates We’re very lucky. Although we’re a small company, we’re connected to many of the leading experts in the fields of communication, PR, media, networking and sales. All of our associates are skilled at combining their subject knowledge with strong delivery and energy, which means that they can deliver the results you need through authentic, credible advice, delivered in a way which works. Our associates can work 1-2-1, with small groups or sometimes outside a learning environment – such as through Skype, teleconferencing and on-site presentation support.