Testimonials from our alumni and teachers
Carlos Wagner – Directed ‘The Rape of Lucretia’ in 2002 and 2023 for the IOA
“The magic is that they (the IOA students) are new and so keen to learn, so you get a 150% dedication, willingness to try things out.”
Martin Wölfel – Vocal Coach (current)
“Everything here at the IOA is concentrated on the aim going on an opera stage and showing and teaching you everything you need to become a professional.”
Kadi Jürgens – graduated in 2022
“My time at the IOA was literally a live-changing experience for me. To be so nurtured as an artist and so believed in, that’s all that every young singer needs to find its potential.”
Elisa Soster – graduated in 2019
“The IOA taught me to be a strong independent person and artist – to fight for my ideas that would often clash with those of other people, but at the same time to keep an open mind towards them.”
Eline Brys – graduated in 2017
“The IOA hasn’t merely given me an enormous amount of practical experience, but has probably been the main reason why I already have a job as a repetiteur since my graduation in 2017.”
Denzil Delaere – graduated in 2015
“In my 2nd year at the IOA, I had the opportunity to be rehearsal cover for Don Ottavio in La Monnaie’s production of ‘Don Giovanni’. Rehearsing 3 weeks with Barbara Hannigan as Donna Anna, under the wings of stage director Krzystof Warlikowski was highly inspiring – 1 of the many unforgettable experiences at the IOA that led me to being the arstist I am today.”
Peter Brathwaite – graduated in 2011
The IOA (then ‘Flanders Operastudio’) gave me extra time to grow. I found it hugely beneficial to have 1 foot still in training and the other in the profession.”
