Richard Berkeley
singing teacher and English language coach

 

 

I have a music education degree from the University of London and an advanced singing diploma from The Guildhall School of Music where I studied for 5 years. Later I studied privately with Margaret Lobo, Arwel Morgan and Diane Forlano. Whilst a student I co-founded the Meridian Chamber Orchestra with Stephen Dagg.

 

I lived in Italy for 12 years where I worked with many leading Italian Baroque specialists, including Paolo Pandolfo, Fabio Biondi, Enrico Gatti and co-founded Concerto Italiano with Rinaldo Alessandrini.

I gave numerous concerts in leading Italian venues including Rome and Turin Operas.

 

In London I have taught singing at leading drama academies including the School of the Science of Acting, LAMDA, and the Mountview Conservatoire. I founded the International Music Theatre Summer School at the Royal Academy of Music. My patrons and teachers included Andrew Lloyd-Webber, Dame Judi Dench, Julia McKenzie, Jeremy Sams, Ken Russell and Janie Dee. I was Sir Mark Elder’s specialist researcher on the award winning BBC documentary, “Verdi.”

 

In Warsaw I have taught singing at the National Theatre Academy, the Chopin Academy and other institution in Poland and abroad.

I co-founded Fundacja Nowa Orkiestra Kameralna of which I am chair and direct Chor Warszawski which I founded. I have sung at the Warsaw Opera Kameralna and many other venues in Warsaw. 

 

As an actor I have made a number of films in Italy, England and Poland. Most recently I was in Iwan Vyrypraev’s Iran Conference with Agata Buzek.

 

As a public speaker and coach I have made a number of TEDx talks.

I coach public speaking in businesses and corporations throughout Central Eastern Europe. I specialise in start-up pitches.

 

As a broadcaster I have presented and / or written for RAI TV and Radio, BBC, Canale 5, Channel 4,  TVP 1, Polskie Radio and others.

 

All musicians must be able to connect with their audiences not only through music but words. The most commonly used language of the musical profession in every sector is English. The ability to express ideas in English is essential for every musician. I will  prepare people of all ages for  public speaking in English.  I also teach basic singing technique and interpretation. My specialist repertoire is Baroque and Musical Theatre.