Female and Non-Binary Conducting Scheme

We’re seeking emerging conductors who identify as female and non-binary, based in the UK for our intensive ten-week training scheme aimed at addressing the gender imbalance within classical music.
We will be able to offer two dedicated conducting workshops under the guidance of Opera North’s Music Director Garry Walker, who will provide first-hand experience of conducting our award-winning Orchestra. Over the course of our 25-26 Winter Season, Opera North’s Head of Music David Cowan, together with Oliver Rundell and Annette Saunders of the Company’s Music Staff, our Chorus Master Anthony Kraus and visiting conductors will give the benefit of their experience in one-on-one discussions and lessons.
You will be a part of the first musical rehearsals with soloists and conductor, through coaching sessions, Chorus and production rehearsals, right up to stage and final rehearsals with our orchestra and singers.

The Female and Non-Binary Conductor Traineeship will take place over ten weeks of Opera North’s 25-26 Winter Season, between 24 November – 19 December 2025 and 5 January – 13 February 2026 (with the option to stay for an extra week if of interest), and will require residency in Leeds during that period. A bursary of £3500 and subsistence payment of £1500 will be provided (paid weekly).

Interviews for shortlisted candidates will be held on Thursday 24th April in Leeds.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview and audition with members of the Opera North Music and Planning Departments. As part of this, you will be asked to conduct a repetiteur and a singer in three short extracts. Please prepare to conduct:
1. The First movement of Mozart’s Symphony No.36
2. A soprano, plus accompanist, for ‘Donde lieta usci’ from Puccini’s La bohème.
3. The ‘Marche du soldat’ from Stravinksy’s Histoire du soldat.
We expect the whole session to last around 30 minutes.