Returning to RDAM

Since the lockdown started in the middle of March, 3rd year bachelor voice students Louise McClelland Jacobsen and Niklas Emil de Fries have been putting in the work at home and making the most of the situation.

Niklas: “Practicing at home has gone really well, but I had to coordinate with my neighbour, because my singing ended up on some of his conference calls, and it became a habit to not really give it a 100%. That is actually something I need to un-learn now."

Louise: "I couldn’t practice with accompaniment, but on the upside, I have joined a project called 'Courtyard Arts' (Baggårdskunst) where we do these 20 minutes concerts in courtyards in Copenhagen, and it has really helped my motivation. I have to practice and do my exercises and I get to perform, which is great."

Since April 28, Niklas and Louise are among the graduating students, who have been allowed back in the academy for some crucial lessons that just can’t work as well online.

Niklas: “Practicing with accompaniment has really been missing, but having to do lessons with no music to support my singing has made me up my game and be even more prepared and focused. Now that I can have lessons with accompaniment again, I have kept the mindset, so the lockdown has actually improved my approach and my singing is better for it.”

Louise: “Coming back was so nice but also surreal. It is still quite empty like during the Christmas break. And you only hear the same few people practicing. Also, I am one of those, who tend to practice all the time, when I am studying from home, so for me it is great that I can go to the academy and practice and have actual free time at home.”

The last couple of months have left an impact on most people’s lives, jobs and priorities and for a classical music student it has also been an eye-opener.

Niklas: “I have always believed that culture and the performing arts depend on a healthy and financially stable state, and the corona crisis has really confirmed that for me. The arts are vulnerable, and we need to strengthen our position and branch out as much as we can, so we don’t depend on just one skill or one way of performing. And I have learned to appreciate the magic of playing music together. All clever online efforts to mimic a choir or a band making music together will never replace the feeling of being in the same room and creating music together in the moment.”