Sarah Tynan

Vocal Studies professor

British soprano Sarah Tynan is widely regarded as among the most exciting and versatile singers of her generation. Nominated by the Evening Standard as one of the UK’s most influential artists in music, she has built an international career spanning baroque, classical, contemporary and bel canto repertoire.

Known for her expressive artistry and technical precision, Sarah’s career encompasses over 60 principal operatic roles in major opera houses across the world including English National Opera, Teatro Real, Glyndebourne, the Bolshoi Theatre, La Monnaie, and the Salzburg Festival. Notable performances include Mozart’s Pamina, Elvira, Susanna and Ilia; Handel’s Cleopatra, Romilda, Semele, Partenope and Ginevra; Britten’s Governess and Tytania; world premieres by Dai Fujikura, Philip Glass and James MacMillan; Henze’s Manon and Adams’ Pat Nixon; Lehar’s Merry Widow; Rossini’s Rosina and Fiorilla; Donizetti’s Adina and Lucia di Lammermoor.

Sarah is also a sought-after concert artist and has performed much of the soprano repertoire with leading conductors, ensembles and orchestras. Her recordings include Carmina Burana with Hans Graf and the LPO and The Creation with Harry Christophers and the Handel & Haydn Society.

Alongside her performing career, Sarah is a passionate and dedicated voice teacher. She believes that successful singing relies on two equal parts: a strong technical foundation based on pedagogy, anatomy and psychology, and development of each student’s unique artistic instincts. This includes careful attention to the text and a deep understanding of dramatic interpretation. By combining these elements, Sarah equips her students with both the technical and artistic skills they need for their careers.

Alongside her position as a voice professor at the Royal College of Music, Sarah regularly gives masterclasses, adjudicates competitions, consults and frequently serves as external assessor at conservatoires. Her students have gone on to great success with companies and young artist programmes across the UK and Europe, including the Royal Opera House, ENO, Strasbourg, Aix-en-Provence, Glyndebourne and Bayerische Staatsoper.

Faculties / departments: Vocal Studies