Mezzo-soprano Dame Sarah Connolly has joined the RCM’s Vocal and Opera Faculty and will commence one-to-one teaching in September 2024.

As an alumna of the school, Connolly’s relationship with the Royal College of Music spans many years and was made a Fellow of the College in 2008. She has also given masterclasses to vocal and opera students as well as performed as a soloist with the RCM Symphony Orchestra.

In a statement, the mezzo said, “I am thrilled to be back in the arms of my Alma Mater, the Royal College of Music as a vocal professor. I remember too well the anxieties around achieving high standards as a student and I look forward to encouraging my students and starting exciting new journeys.”

Nick Sears, Head of Vocal and Opera, added, “We are honored to have Dame Sarah joining the RCM Vocal and Opera Faculty as a vocal professor. Dame Sarah’s artistry and beautiful singing are enjoyed and respected across the globe, and we have all enjoyed her mentorship of young RCM artists in masterclasses in recent years. We are absolutely delighted to develop our relationship with such a consummate artist and look forward to welcoming Dame Sarah back to the College as she joins our exceptional team of professors and coaches.”

Connolly is one of the most prestigious singers of her generation, having performed at the Metropolitan Opera, the Royal Opera House, the Paris Opera, La Scala Milan, Bayreuth, and Glyndebourne, among others. She is an Honorary Member of the Royal Philharmonic Society.