WoCo Gateshead
Since 2022, we have presented a significant new chapter of our Women Conductors programme. Having so far helped over 500 women nationwide to further their conducting skills at different levels, this phase is specifically for female conductors based in the UK and Ireland committed to making this their primary vocation, with some experience of conducting professional or high-level student/non-professional orchestras.
We present this opportunity in partnership with The Glasshouse International Centre for Music. It involves encounters twice yearly with the full orchestral forces of the Royal Northern Sinfonia, with residual support from the RPS and RNS, and dedicated mentoring from Alice Farnham, Founder and Artistic Director of the Women Conductors programme.
It is principally a chance for participants to spend quality rehearsal time with one of the UK’s foremost professional orchestras. At its heart, everyone involved spends time reflecting together on the age-old relationship between a conductor and an orchestra, considering fresh approaches to bring out the best in one another.
We are proud to announce the cohort taking part in 2024-25. They are:
Charlotte Corderoy
Constança Simas
Josephine Korda
Lada Valesova
Michal Oren
Oi Ching Chan
Peggy Wu
Sinéad Hayes
Tess Jackson
The conductors who have previously taken part in WoCo Gateshead are:
Hannah von Wiehler
Helen Harrison
Rita Castro Blanco
All are names worth knowing and we commend you to click each name to find out more about them. We particularly invite that orchestra, choir and opera managers, promoters and artist managers nationwide to follow their progress, and join us in helping them attain further opportunities. We are so pleased to tell you more about them, and further talents besides: there are indeed many more dearly dedicated and promising women conductors whom we couldn't offer places on this course who have met in our other courses over the last few years. Do contact us and we can tell you more.
“‘The opportunities and support I’ve received from the RPS over the years have transformed my career as a conductor. As a participant on this unique programme working with the Royal Northern Sinfonia, the constructive and insightful feedback from the players, my colleagues and Alice Farnham, is proving to be hugely powerful in my development in a way that is simply not possible in a one-off masterclass setting. So many musical doors have been opened to me thanks to the guidance and support from the RPS.’”
WoCo Gateshead is kindly supported by The Glasshouse International Centre for Music.