Wilma MacDougall

Alongside her work at RCS, Wilma leads vocal workshops and seminars (Association of British Choral Directors, Association of Teachers of Singing, National Youth Choir of Scotland, Sistema Scotland) and teaches on singing courses throughout the UK and Europe. She previously taught at both Glasgow and Napier Universities. She was the vocal tutor for the Royal Scottish National Orchestra Junior Chorus for sixteen years, as well as teaching at the National Youth Choir of Scotland, National Boys Choir and Ulster Youth Choir summer courses. For fifteen years Wilma directed the Vocal Inspiration Residential Singing Courses in the UK and the south of France.

Born in Scotland, Wilma graduated BA (Hons) in Music followed by a PGCE in Music and Mathematics from the University of Cambridge. There she studied singing with Nigel Wickens and Laura Sarti, sang with Jesus College Chapel Choir and performed regularly as a soloist in oratorio and recital. She returned to Scotland to study singing with Patricia MacMahon at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (now RCS). Winning a number of scholarships, awards and competitions, she graduated with a Masters of Music.

Wilma has worked regularly as a recitalist and soloist, performing with many orchestras and ensembles including the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Dunedin Consort, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Northern Sinfonia, Ulster Orchestra, Avison Ensemble, Edinburgh Quartet and Paragon Ensemble. She has recorded and broadcast on BBC radio and television in repertoire ranging from Bach’s Cantata No.51 Jauchzet Gott through to contemporary repertoire. Operatic work has included Musetta La Boheme, Michaela Carmen, Grainne An Turus (William Sweeney), Venus Venus and Adonis (John Blow) and Queen of the Night Magic Flute.

A keen recitalist and concert performer, Wilma has performed in Germany, France, Denmark, Italy, Czechoslovakia, and throughout the UK alongside conductors including Sir Charles Mackerras, Stephen Cleobury and Christopher Bell.