alumni spotlight: julia solomon

Julia took part in both both the Serena Fenwick and summer programme in 2024. She started her opera life in the Covent Garden’s Children Chorus and later went to the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland for a BMus and then MMus in vocal performance, graduating in 2022.

Julia really benefitted from the bespoke elements of the Serena Fenwick programme:

“One of the most personal elements of the SFP are the individual coachings we received. We could organise individual coachings around our own schedules directly with the coach – mine was an incredible mentor, providing repertoire suggestions, technical guidance and someone I hope to keep working with in future. And the cherry on top was that were held at the Royal Opera House – it really expanded my mind to what is possible in this career and was an incredible space to learn in through BYO’s connections.”

What’s next for Julia? Well…

“I am about to begin my studying on the Opera Course at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama! I am so excited to begin. Between BYO’s Serena Fenwick Programme, a summer festival chorus contract at Grange Park Opera, BYO’s summer programme and starting at GSMD - I have had an absolutely incredible year!”

And to anyone thinking of applying for the Serena Fenwick Programme:

Go for it! The more you give to the Serena Fenwick Programme, the more you get out of it. You receive the insights of a wide range of people in the business. Each workshop leader was so generous with their insights, you receive valuable advice from agents, personalised 1:1 coachings and on top of all that a really relaxed and enjoyable recording session (would you believe it!). I’d do it again if I could.