Horizons to broaden as Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts teams up with the elite Manchester music school.

A new initiative is underway to formalise a partnership between Edith Cowan University’s Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) and the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) in Manchester, UK. On August 29 in Perth, RNCM’s principal Professor Linda Merrick signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will pave the way for collaborative research and performance opportunities, as well as placements and exchanges for the staff and students at both institutions.

On the same day, in a lecture she delivered as ECU’s Vice-Chancellor’s Distinguished Oration for the year, Professor Merrick outlined the importance of the performing arts in our changing world. Artistic and educational collaborations, Merrick believes, are vital to ensure that institutions like her own provide the best opportunities to those involved.

^{Professor Linda Merrick and Professor Steve Chapman}

“The RNCM is constantly seeking to enhance the experience it offers to both students and staff,” she said. “Professional partnerships with other providers who share our passion and ethos are integral to realising this ambition.”

ECU’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Steve Chapman is positive about the experiences students will gain through the association, anticipating fruitful knowledge-sharing as well as access to RNCM’s internationally renowned teachers.

“[The partnership] also opens the door for students from Perth and Manchester to study at either world-class school and broaden their horizons,” Professor Chapman said. “We pride ourselves on giving all of our students real-world experiences during their studies, both in the UK and internationally. Our new partnership with WAAPA will help us develop this important work, incentivise student and staff mobility, share best practice and create mutually beneficial projects and initiatives.”

The relationship between the two institutions is already close – RNCM’s Professor of Saxophone Rob Buckland will perform Andy Scott’s double concerto Dark Rain with WAAPA’s Matt Styles and the Symphonic Wind Ensemble on Saturday at All Saints’ College Centre for Performing Arts.

WAAPA presents Dark Rain at All Saints’ College Centre for Performing Arts on September 2.

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