Welcome to our weekly series where we highlight the great work that RBC alumni are doing in the field of music education. Each week our guest will reveal insights such as what led them to do what they are currently doing, the projects they have been involved in since graduating, what inspires them on a daily basis, and what advice they would give to any music student considering working as a music educator in the future, whether full-time or as part of a rewarding portfolio career.
Episode 16: Chloë Pardoe
Years studied 2012-2016
Course BMus (Hons)
First study Vocal
I studied at Birmingham Conservatoire between 2012 and 2016 for a BMus (Hons) with the Vocal and Operatic Department. Throughout my time at the Conservatoire, I took various outreach modules and in my final year, was offered a job at one of my placement schools. Since then, I have worked at numerous independent schools and now I work at Kings High School for Girls and Warwick Preparatory School. I am also the vocal coach to choristers at St Mary’s Church in Warwick and run my own teaching studio in both London and Birmingham. I regularly take part in music outreach with opera companies such as the Welsh National Opera and Opera Holland Park.
I was always interested in music education as I had such a wonderful music teacher myself back at school who inspired me to pursue a career in opera. I set up my teaching studio at quite a young age and taught local children to sing and play piano in order to fund my studies at the Conservatoire.
It is hard to pinpoint a most rewarding point of my career in music education so far, as there are so many. Once, I witnessed a class of Year 2 students spending their break time staging their own version of The Magic Flute while trying to sing along. Recently, a student of mine who strongly disliked classical music when I started teaching her two years ago told me that she was now ‘obsessed’ with opera and was listening to a new aria every day.
I have always taught alongside my performing career and would definitely encourage it. I remember being taught in my first week at the Conservatoire to establish a ‘portfolio career’ for myself as a singer and I honestly think that was the best advice I could have received. The life of a performer is an amazing but challenging one and teaching has been a breath of fresh air throughout my performing career.
If you are one of RBC’s alumni and would like to take part in this feature, contact Interim Vice-Principal (Learning and Teaching) Luan Shaw, Head of Pedagogy Dr Adam Whittaker or Head of Learning and Participation Richard Shrewsbury.
