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The Tunbridge Wells International Music Festival is hosting a performance masterclass at King Charles the Martyr Church on Saturday 11th October 2025. The masterclass will be led by Julian Black, a former professional repetiteur and conductor who has worked at the Royal Opera House, English National Opera and the Hamburg State Opera House.
The opportunity is open to about 5 performers, to come and be coached by Julian for about 20-30 minutes each during the afternoon of the Saturday, followed by a small concert in the evening.
To apply or for further information, contact info@tunbridgewellsfestival.co.uk
Successful applicants will be enthusiastic musicians with a minimum standard of Grade 8. Pianists will be able to use the church's beautiful, well-maintained Yamaha grand piano, and other performers are welcome to bring their own accompanist, or else we would be happy to provide an accompanist by arrangement, either Julian or another experienced musician. Alongside improving their performances, the focus of the masterclass will be to help our performers really connect with the emotional element of the music and play from the heart.
There will also be a small fee for taking part, although allowances will be made for people on lower incomes.
About Julian
Julian Black read Music at Christ’s College, Cambridge, where he was assistant conductor to the Chapel Choir. He conducted the university symphony orchestras, and music-directed several operas including Hansel and Gretel, Les Mamelles de Tirésias and Gianni Schicchi.
After leaving Cambridge, Julian went on to study on the Repetiteurs’ Course at the National Opera Studio, working with artists including Susan Bullock, Richard Armstrong and Nicholas Cleobury. He founded his own opera company, Ardente Opera, in 2009, producing and music-directing four professional opera productions in London.
Then followed a year studying conducting with Paul Brough and working as a freelance opera pianist in London. Highlights included working with Sir Antonio Pappano on Keith Warner’s Ring Cycle at the Royal Opera House, as the Assistant Conductor to Ollie Gooch for the world premiere of Tarik O’Regan’s opera Heart of Darkness at the Linbury Theatre, and accompanying performances for the English National Opera’s Young Artists scheme. Julian then took up a full-time repetiteur’s position at the Hamburg State Opera House, playing on productions including Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, Falstaff and Don Carlo.
Having decided to leave classical music as a full-time profession at this point, Julian has spent the past years bringing together his classical background with his skills as an improviser and a love of meditation and spirituality. Alongside his work as a musician, Julian has a private craniosacral therapy private practice in Tunbridge Wells.
