Singing courses led by Alison Wells with an annual residency in Arjac in the Aveyron, southwest region of France.

The Singer as Artist

Welcome to the Singer as Artist’s new website. Explore our courses and get in touch via the contact page if you would like more information.

You’ll find upcoming course dates, pictures of previous courses, and quotes from alumni of our courses.

I look forward to welcoming you to the Singer as Artist Community,

 
 
  • Hilary Cronin - Winner of The Handel Singing Competition 2021 - Arjac Alumna 2019

    “I had the best time in Arjac! The course reignited my love of singing and really helped to build my confidence as a performer. The lessons, coachings, collaborations with other singers and group discussions all contributed towards a very productive learning experience.

    We were so well looked after by our generous hosts and enjoyed delicious food in an idyllic setting. It is certainly worth doing this course if you can!”

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The Singer as Artist - course dates

Course 1: 3rd September - 10th September 2024

Course 2: 11th - 18th September 2024

Two residential masterclasses for singers in vocal colour and technique at the Mas d’Arjac in South West France led by Alison Wells, Vocal Studies professor at the RCM.

The Singer as Artist

I decided on this name for my own courses a few years ago, as it reflects how important I consider the use of the imagination in singing, to aid interpretation and also technical work.

All singers need a solid physical basis to their technical work, but I have found through many years of teaching, that visual imagining of that physical reality can really help a singer find a holistic way of using muscles and releasing tension.  Additionally, different students will react to different images, and so having different ways of explaining things will help a student find the way to trigger the right reaction in the body.

The use of visual imagination in interpretation may be more easily understood.  Just like a painter must see what is to be painted before putting brush to canvas, when we see the scene we are singing we always find more colour in the voice.  If we let the text lead us, we shape our phrases more successfully. That’s the starting point for the courses which involve singing tuition, coaching, movement work and group sessions.

We have an annual residency at the wonderful Le Mas d’Arjac in the Aveyron, southwest region of France, with legendary hospitality and wonderful food. I’m joined there by Nigel Foster, Director of the London Song Festival, as coach and pianist; and by Peter Bramley, Director of Pants on Fire Theatre Company as movement and drama teacher. There is a weekend at Jackdaws in Somerset every year where I will be joined this year by Nigel Foster, and next year I hope to announce another exciting collaboration – watch this space…

Arjac Course Leaders

Alison Wells - Singing Teacher

Nigel Foster - Pianist and Coach

Peter Bramley - Director

Please get in contact using the form below