Gareth Hancock

After graduating from Cambridge University with an honours degree in Music, Gareth studied piano accompaniment at the Royal Academy of Music where he won numerous prizes and was awarded the prestigious Recital Diploma, their highest performance award. He subsequently started his professional career as trainee répétiteur at English National Opera before working for Glyndebourne Festival and Touring Opera companies, Scottish Opera, Opera North and English Touring Opera. Conducting highlights include Der Rosenkavalier and La damnation de Faust (Glyndebourne Festival), Madama Butterfly (Glyndebourne Tour/Opera North) a CD of Puccini highlights (Philharmonia/Chandos) and many performances at the Royal Albert Hall with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (La bohème/ Carmen/ Madama Butterfly/ Beethoven 9th Symphony).

 He has always combined a performing career as a conductor, pianist and vocal coach with his passion for teaching, being appointed to posts as Head of Postgraduate Opera and, more recently,  Director of Opera at the Royal Academy of Music. In addition he has coached on Young Artist Programmes at both The Royal Ballet and Opera, Covent Garden, and Glyndebourne Festival Opera.