The English bass, Patrick Ardagh-Walter, studied at Peter Symonds College in Winchester, Hampshire (Class of 1984). Being a violinist, studied ancient history at Royal Academy of Music, London (1984), and continued his studies at Queen's College, Oxford (Class of 1988). As a singer, he trained at the Royal College of Music in London, and then in Baroque opera at Studio d'Opéra Baroque de Versailles, Paris with Florence Daguerre de Hureaux (1992-1993).
Patrick Ardagh-Walter sang roles at the Opéra Comique and Opéra de Metz and recorded sacred music and opera with some of France’s foremost baroque ensembles. A lasting enthusiasm for new music brought work with the Ensemble Intercontemporain and Electric Phoenix and as a soloist for BBC Radio 3, Radio France, Swiss Radio and London Sinfonietta. As the bass voice of the Swingle Singers, the a-capella vocal group, he sang at La Scala Milan and the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, whilst also fulfilling a busy calendar of international tours and recording. He now sings primarily in film, concert, oratorio and opera, and in the recording studio. Like all professional singers he continues his studies, working with David Jones in New York and Cathy Pope in England.
Patrick Ardagh-Walter has been teaching other singers for more than a decade, working mostly with adult and late-teenage students, both professional and amateur. In 2006 he was invited by David Jones to become an Associate Teacher of the David Jones Voice Studio in New York. The Swedish-Italian approach to vocal technique that he teaches offers a clear, healthy and secure technique that has kept many of the world’s best singers in good vocal form right through into old age. He is also a qualified and STAT-registered teacher of the Alexander Technique, a skill which supports his teaching approach, ensuring vocal health, longevity and efficiency. He works from his studio at home in Oxfordshire, teaching with a friendly and accessible approach and is happy to discuss lessons with students of every level. All lessons are recorded on a CD for the student to take with them. He currently lives in Saint Albans |