Pegasus Opera Company have announced the names of twelve singers who are taking part in its 26/27 Opera Mentoring Programme, which offers aspiring and emerging artists of global majority heritage a bespoke programme of coaching and mentoring opportunities. The programme was set up in 2020 to hone the skills and build the confidence of classical singers from diverse backgrounds.
The twelve singers will receive individual coaching sessions and mentoring from world-class global majority opera singers, including sopranos Maureen Brathwaite and Alison Buchanan; and bass Jonathan Lemalu.
The singers selected for the 26/27 cohort are:
- Haein Choi, soprano
- Lizzie Bett Estrada, soprano
- Isabelle Haile, soprano
- Leoni Malewezi, soprano
- Tiana Oberoi, soprano
- Kiara Wickremasinghe, soprano
- Josephine Amankwah, mezzo-soprano
- Gabriela Comeau Gort, mezzo-soprano
- Salome Siu, mezzo-soprano
- Bradyn Debysingh, tenor
- Khaled Issa, baritone
- Saul Leighton, bass-baritone
Glyndebourne has partnered with Pegasus, supporting four singers for each of the past five years. The Glyndebourne mentees this year are Haein Choi, Tiana Oberoi, Gabriela Comeau Gort, and Bradyn Debysingh.
The participants mentored by Glyndebourne have a unique, bespoke experience that includes opportunities to observe rehearsals and shadow established artists at the 2026 Glyndebourne Festival. They also receive opportunities to perform for key artistic staff with feedback to aid their development and are introduced to other departments at Glyndebourne to gain insight into the full range of career opportunities in opera. Representatives from Glyndebourne attend Pegasus Opera auditions and showcases to help spot emerging talent who can be encouraged to audition for the Glyndebourne Chorus, a proven launchpad for a professional career in opera.
The other eight mentees are sponsored by Pegasus and Laidlaw Opera Trust. These mentees will be offered masterclasses with Danielle de Niese, Alison Buchanan and other industry leading performers, as well as opportunities to attend opera productions and receive input and feedback from industry leaders, including agents, communication specialists and dramaturges.
Additionally, Laidlaw Opera Trust is enabling Pegasus to offer more targeted support to help all current and previous participants to overcome the significant challenges faced by them as they build their careers, and tracking the long-term success of the programme.
Melvin Claridge, talent director at Pegasus Opera Company, said: “We are thrilled to welcome a new cohort to the sixth year of our annual mentorship programme, which offers aspiring and emerging global majority artists a bespoke programme of coaching and mentoring opportunities. It is an honour to be able to work with these talented singers and do something tangible to advance their career opportunities. Pegasus exists to create an equality of opportunity for global majority classical artists and to support the talent development of emerging artists. This Programme helps us to broaden and deepen the pool of talent available to opera companies to diversify representation on our stages. We truly appreciate all who are making this happen … especially Glyndebourne for the continuing partnership, the Laidlaw Opera Trust for financial support of this Programme, and the casting & talent development team at English National Opera for guidance and access to dress rehearsals.”
Stephen Langridge, artistic director at Glyndebourne, said: “We’re really pleased to be continuing our partnership with Pegasus Opera. Each year, we’ve been able to deepen the relationship and find new ways to support each other. The feedback from last year’s mentees was again incredibly positive and our wider partnership helps support our commitment to a fully inclusive and diverse workplace culture at Glyndebourne.
Kate Roberts, chief executive officer at the Laidlaw Opera Trust, said: “Laidlaw Opera Trust is delighted to congratulate the singers selected for the next cohort of the Pegasus Mentorship Scheme. Pegasus offers a rare blend of high‑calibre mentoring, practical career insight and long‑term support through its Encore Programme, creating an environment in which artists can grow with confidence and ambition. We are proud to support a scheme that continues to nurture exceptional talent and to invest in the people of global majority heritage who will help shape the future of opera in the UK.”
Marie Cayeux, 25/26 mentee, said: “Being a mentee this season has given me invaluable opportunities to perform, take part in masterclasses, and engage with inspiring mentors from the industry, such as Danielle de Niese and Roderick Williams. I have also had the chance to attend many outstanding productions at ENO and Glyndebourne, and to build relationships with these prestigious companies. Above all, it has been a deeply rewarding human experience: I truly feel I have found a supportive and caring community among my fellow mentees. Pegasus not only plays a vital role in promoting diversity in opera and bringing it to wider audiences, they are also great at bringing people together! I am incredibly grateful to be part of it.”
About Pegasus Opera Company
Pegasus is a professional opera company with a family of widespread international artists, participants and supporters. We produce high-quality performances and balance this with a focus on artist development, with an eye to promoting the talents of emerging artists of global majority heritage and bringing this onto eminent platforms of note and significance.
For 30 years, Pegasus Opera Company has been the home for singers, composers, instrumentalists and directors predominantly, but not exclusively, from diverse global majority backgrounds.
Established in south London and grown from solid and credible roots, we still work out of our home in Brixton. The Company has held true to our founder Lloyd Newton’s credo of ‘harmony in diversity’. We have inspired many to love opera; and we celebrate the music of rich African, Asian and Caribbean diasporas whilst weaving this into the fabric of the British performing arts, using creativity to challenge and advocate for positive change.
Previous cohort (25/26) after a masterclass with Danielle de Niese. L to R: Kamilla Arku (pianist), Danielle Kamilah Williams, Bonnie Liu, Brennan Alleyne, Danielle de Niese (Soprano and Pegasus Patron), Claudia Chin Haussmann, Marie Cayeux, Melvin Claridge (Pegasus Talent Director).
Pegasus Opera Company Contact
Melvin Claridge (Talent Director) – melvin@pegasusoperacompany.org
Antonia Thwaites (Programme and Talent Manager) – antonia@pegasusoperacompany.org
Our Opera Mentoring Programme is in association with Glyndebourne and generously supported by Arts Council England, Laidlaw Opera Trust, Katie Bradford Arts Trust, Scops Arts Trust, Idlewild Trust and Thriplow Charitable Trust.
