North East Opera (NEO) works with performers who range from those who have experienced homelessness, substance-abuse issues, those at-risk, the neuro-diverse, asylum seekers, and refugees in Middlesbrough. NEO began life as part of the multi-award-winning arts company Streetwise Opera. Due to the pandemic, they had to end its work in the Northeast. Not deterred by this, we reformed and became North East Opera, obtaining our charitable status in January 2023.
Based at Middlesbrough Town Hall (MTH), NEO run weekly workshops there and and at the MIddlesbrough Intitute of Modern Art (MIMA) in partnership with the Methodist Asylum Project (MAP) Middlesbrough. We have two workshop leaders and a wellbeing coach. Through innovative and inclusive teaching methods, we sing all styles of music from 80s power ballads to musical theatre, folk songs and opera. We offer exciting opportunities for performers of any age and all backgrounds through workshops, rehearsals, concerts, music videos, and theatrical productions at Middlesbrough Town Hall and around the Northeast.
Middlesbrovians are known for their resilience and ‘down to earth’ attitude and North East Opera is providing an outlet for people on the margins of society to be heard, to give them a voice and confidence to enrich all aspects of their lives. We aim to combat loneliness and bring communities together that would otherwise not integrate including people recovering from alcoholism and substance abuse, people who have experienced homelessness, the neurodiverse and asylum seekers and refugees. We have an open-door policy, and everyone is welcome to our sessions. The process of creating, rehearsing and performing a piece of music with likeminded people forms a sense of unity, solidarity and support. Everyone is wanting to achieve the same result and from this position of common ground friendships can form, communities can unite, and feelings of loneliness can be reduced. Making music builds empathy, trust, and social bonding and with this, positive change can flourish.
We have been working in the heart of the most deprived areas in Europe for the past two decades devising and delivering specialist community arts programmes. We have witnessed the desperate need for a creative outlet for people living on the edges of society. This type of work is vital and should be present in any urban and rural environment throughout the country.
We have seen the life changing benefits to individuals and communities given regular opportunities to take part in cultural pursuits in a supportive environment. Like the ‘Sing for Health’ GP referral initiatives piloted 18 years ago, new likeminded initiatives need to be developed and implemented. Given the opportunity, we share our experience, evaluation and documentary evidence to influence policy making and wider practice. People need more than just to barely survive, we all need a way of contemplating and expressing ourselves in ways that bring meaning to all those taking part, performer and audience member alike.
As well as having an open door policy, we are always on the lookout for volunteers. We don't specify what we need from volunteers apart from a desire to take part in sessions and to be ready for anything when we perform, record, or in shooting for films and videos. We strongly believe that everyone has something of value to offer and that rehearsing and performing together positively empowers both the individual as well as the community.
Our Opportunities
Come and join North East Opera! We are always on the lookout for enthusiastic volunteers to join our workshops, performances, recordings, and film making opportunities.