Ignite Music artistic director Sue Moore: 'What you offer is unique – celebrate that'

How did you start off in the arts?

I joined my local church choir aged six and then got involved with amateur dramatics events at the church, leading to more theatre-based performances, musical theatre, operetta and opera.

What instigated your move into teaching?

During the pandemic my work became even more youth-focused. I moved a production online with Hackney Music Development Trust (We’ll Meet Again), wrote the script for and directed two films featuring young people with W11 Opera (Jukebox, It’s Your Move). In the second lockdown I ran my own online programme, Acting Through Singing.

What is the best piece of advice you have for drama students and graduates today?

You are a one-off. People will try to put you in a box and compare you with others. Only you can do you. What you offer is unique. Celebrate, showcase and channel that.

What would you change about the industry?

An end to valuing what someone looks like over their talent. 

What is the best part of your job?

Getting to be creative with lots of incredibly talented people, learning new things every day, and subsequently understanding more about myself.

And your least favourite?

How much the scales are tipped against people from working-class families. I am only here because talented, kind and generous people helped me along the way.

Which practitioners do you admire and would recommend students learn about?

Someone I quote on an almost daily basis is my own singing teacher, Sue McCulloch. She taught me that we are human first and a performer second. It’s easy, when your body is your instrument, to turn inwards and focus everything on ‘the voice’. We, as educators and an industry, have to focus on looking after the whole person.

What is the one skill that every successful theatre professional should have?

Being able to listen and learn from others. Listen, watch and soak up all that knowledge and experience.