Placements, masterclasses, internships, projects, tours and talks support learning and help equip students for their future careers.

Over 750 students each year participate in bespoke seminars and behind the scenes insights led by Opera North specialists. Students from schools as diverse as Business, Biological Sciences, English and Physics observe rehearsals, speak with creatives and learn about the business and operations of the Company from practitioners in areas including External Affairs, Finance, Music, Planning and Technical.

“It was the DARE experience that started it all for me. I did an undergraduate placement, then a postgraduate internship, which led to a job as Chorus and Orchestra Assistant.  I am now a freelance Director thanks to the DARE opportunity.” Emma Black, former DARE intern

“The conducting masterclass with Martin Pickard and Pettman Fellow Davide Levi was very informative. I managed to learn a great deal from the experts about conducting. I’m now interested in branching out with singing. Lots of skills learned to use when I start conducting a wind band come September.”
Undergraduate Music student.

“My paid DARE internship, in the Opera North Development department, was my first step in the arts sector, and got me my first job out of university. It has set me on a great career path, as a fundraiser at the world’s leading museum of art and design.”
Nick Watts, 2012 DARE Development intern

“Working on a live project brief is an interesting and challenging learning curve. Based on conversations with the Opera North team and access to their data, we’re pleased our report and recommendations for how the Company can grow its student audience were useful to the communications team.”
Glenn Naylor, MA in Music and Management 2017

“Giving students the opportunity to see behind the scenes at Opera North and to hear from specialists in the many functions that make up an opera company – both creative and administrative – provides a valuable context for their studies and an insight into the opportunities they might choose to pursue following graduation.”
Professor Ben Walmsley, University of Leeds

Other placements have been in areas including the General Director’s office, public relations, stage management, music, planning, operations, costume, and communications.