Biography

Philippa Anderson, mezzo-soprano, is Vocal Studies Leader at the Weekend School  at The Sage Gateshead. She is a lecturer in performing arts at New College Durham specialising in voice, musical theatre, pop and rock vocals and acting. Other appointments include teaching singing at Shotton Hall Theatre School. Pippa is a theatre director and a trouble shooter for vocal problems.

Pippa started her studies at Dartington College of Arts in Devon. She won a Lilian Baylis award to study on a vocational training course called ‘The Knack’ at English National Opera’s Baylis Programme in London and then went on to study on the Company Course at The Academy Drama School in London.

Tutors, to name but a few, have included singing teachers, creative director/mezzo - soprano Mary King and Alison Bidder. Acting tutors; Rufus Norris and William Kerley, and movement/dance choreographers Maxine Braham and Leah Hausman. More recently, Philippa was a pupil of John Pryce - Jones (founder Chorus Master at Opera North. Currently, amongst other posts, John is Music Director and conductor of Northern Ballet Theatre Orchestra).

Pippa’s studies have given her an excellent foundation for the life of a working performer, facilitator and teacher.
Performance experiences include; a Brecht/Eisler recital at the Royal Festival Hall, London, songs from music theatre at The Man In The Moon Theatre, Chelsea. Nana in Emile Zola's 'Nana' at Camden Peoples Theatre, London, The Gypsy in Alec Roth and Orlando Gough ’s debut performance of 'A Medicine for Melancholy'. Pippa rehearsed and then performed in the choir of professional singers who supported Rod Stewart at St James Park, the home of Newcastle United Football Club in summer 2007 (Stagecoach Newcastle). Pippa was a resident actor and director for one of the biggest companies in the UK, ImpAct Universal. She has also worked for Stagecoach Theatre Arts, Streetwise Opera and Frantic Theatre.