Magdala 'Train the Trainers' Summer School Programme

As Magdala's experience and effectiveness has grown, there has been an increase in the number of professional artists who want to develop their own skills in the way that Magdala's approach allows.

While Magdala continues to train its own leaders, through hands-on experience, we have been actively seeking ways to improve the skills transfer process and offer it to a range of individuals.

Magdala's leaders have first hand experience of working in training institutions all around Europe - most notably The Paris Opera Studio; JVR Opera du Rhin, Strasbourg, Birmingham Conservatoire; Royal Academy of Music, London; The National Opera Studio, London; The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and English National Opera. It is this experience, in part, that has helped to shape Magdala's own unique approach to learning by doing.

In 2004, Magdala piloted a voice programme in conjunction with the Theatre Royal, Nottingham. This was supervised by the Director and Artist-in-Residence and involved two potential trainers working under supervision and with extensive preparation and follow up support.

In summer 2006, Magdala initiated a week-long 'Train the Trainers' programme, led by Artistic Director Michelle Wegwart working with her professional pupils to create a skills transfer process funded by Arts Council England. In 2007 and 2008 years 2 and 3 of the programme offered continuing professional development, building on specific achievements of the 1st year's course.

The training has focussed on enabling each individual to identify and develop their own methods of vocal training which has involved work across all aspects - aural, visual, physical, and psychological

The courses have included:

• a required reading list in advance of the course
• investigative physiology
• assessing teachers agenda's during the vocal process
• hands-on work with singing students, representing a broad range of ability, from beginners to professional singers
• ½ day workshop with an education professional on developing skills in delivering effective CPD for teachers in schools

Due to demand in August 2009, Magdala plans to re-run Year 1 of 'Train the Trainers' programme for a new group of young teachers and a new course "Collaborative Teaching", focusing on more advanced physiology, working with a specialist laryngeal osteopath and identifying vocal problems at early stages. This will include participants from other countries in Europe building an international element to the course.

This new Inter-disciplinary Week will be a development of Magdala’s circular learning approach – watch this space!