SWAP'ra was established in 2018 to redress unconscious gender bias and to provide a supportive platform to effect positive change for women and parents in opera.

We aim to be a catalyst for change by opening a significant dialogue with artists and administrators at both grassroots and organisational level.

To achieve our mission, we focus on three key pillars of activity:

Advocacy and research

Mentoring and peer support

Performance

The ultimate aim is to foster an environment in which a female CEO, Music Director, Artistic Director, Conductor, Composer or Librettist is no longer noteworthy.

SWAP'ra (Supporting Women and Parents in Opera) was established to find ways to champion and generate more opportunities for women in senior and creative roles in classical music, and to dismantle outdated attitudes towards the compatibility of parenthood and a career in this sector.