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In this episode Divina de Campo shares her passion for performing and tell us about her love of opera and her journey as an artist. Divina is a British drag queen and singer who has been featured on national television programmes including The Voice, All Together Now and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. Her love of theatre led her to star in many stage productions. In 2022, she won 'Best Performance in a Musical' at the UK Theatre awards for her leading role in Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Divina will be in Leeds on Saturday 10th February for an intimate solo performance at the Howard Assembly Room.   Musical excerpt: Waving Goodbye by Divina de Campo.

In this episode, Kate Davy tells us about the work of a stage manager and shares her experience working backstage. Originally from Ilkley, Kate moved to London age 18 to study at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. She then came back to Yorkshire to work as assistant stage manager at Northern Ballet. Nearly 25 years ago, she joined Opera North where she now works as Head of Stage Management. Over the years, Kate has worked on over 100 opera performances. Musical excerpt: Trio 'O wind gently blowing' (Fiordiligi, Dorabella, Don Alfonso), Act 1, from Mozart's Cosi fan tutte

In this episode, BBC Young Musician finalist Phoebe Mallinson speaks about her passion for brass instruments and shares her experience and aspirations as a young player. Originally from Bradford, Phoebe started playing cornet at the age of eight before moving to flugelhorn when she was ten. In 2017, she gained a place at Chetham’s School of Music studying Trumpet with Tracey Redfern. In December, Phoebe will be performing as soloist with the Opera North Youth Orchestra at Dewsbury Town Hall as part of the Kirklees Orchestral concert series. After her A levels, Phoebe hopes to join one of the leading conservatoires to further her studies in music performance.  Musical excerpt: Janáček's The Cunning Litte Vixen (Finale) performed by the Orchestra of Opera North.

In this episode, tenor Xavier Hetherington shares his passion for operatic singing technique and foreign languages. He provides useful advice for young singers and shares what it's like for a performer to engage with young audiences. He also tells us about his experience working on Opera North new production of Masque of Might. Xavier started singing at an early age as a boy chorister in Salisbury Cathedral. He then went on to study classics at Cambrige University where he was a choral scholar at St John's College. In 2018, he studied a postgraduate degree at the Royal College of Music in London. Since then, he has been performing on concert and opera stages in the UK and across Europe. Musical excerpt: Masque of Might: 'So when the glitt'ring Queen of Night' (Seer) sung by Xavier Hetherington.

In this episode, Jamie Saye reflects on his career as a sound and lighting technician, and offers great tips and insights for anyone interested in working backstage. He also opens up about his motivation to change career and the work he has been doing with Sustainable Arts in Leeds (SAIL). Jamie worked as Technical Manager at the Howard Assembly Room before becoming the General Manager at SAIL. He is the Opera North Green Champion and has been advising the company during the development of their Green Season. Musical excerpt: 'Ulibambe' by Abel Selaocoe (composed as part of the Opera North Walking Home project - sound journeys from lockdown)

In this episode, Rakhi Singh reflects on her journey as a musician and her work with Manchester Collective. She also shares useful advice about freelancing as a musician. Musical excerpt: 'Pierrot Lunaire' by Arnold Schoenberg performed by Manchester Collective

In this episode, Emma Black reflects on her career so far and the work she has done at Opera North over the years. She speaks about the forthcoming Youth production of Eugene Onegin and shares useful advice for aspiring artists and directors. Musical excerpt: 'Mi Chiamano Mimi' From La Boheme by Puccini

In this episode, John Savournin gives us a glimpse of what the rehearsal process for Ariadne auf Naxos has been like and reflects on his career so far, combining singing, directing and writing. Musical excerpt: Finale Act 1 from Cosi Fan Tutte by Mozart

In this episode, violinist Byron Parish recalls how he got into classical music and shares his motivation to inspire the next generation of musicians. Byron has been a member of the Orchestra of Opera North since 2015 and will feature as soloist in Walton's violin concerto alongside the Opera North Youth Orchestra in December 2022. Musical excerpt: 'Te Deum!' from Tosca

In this episode, Textile Artist Natalie Needham tells us about her work as part of the costume department at Opera North. She also introduces Stitch Away the Stigma, a creative art programme she created to support anyone who loves or cares for someone with an alcohol/ drug use disorder or gambling addiction. Musical excerpt: 'Papagena!' from The Magic Flute

To open the second season of Artistic Futures, Manoj Kamps recalls their first musical encounters, growing up in Sri Lanka, and speaks openly about the challenges of being a queer conductor. Musical excerpt: 'Brindisi' from La traviata.

In this episode, Anna Pool tells us about all the different aspects of her work. As director, composer, writer and performer, she reflects on what drives her creations and shares advice for those particularly interested developing multi-disciplinary artististic careers. Musical excerpt: ‘Da tempeste il legno infranto’ (Cleopatra) from Handel’s Gulio Cesare sung by Lucie Chartin.