Synne Vinje, opera singer

Even at the age of three, Synne Vinje dreamt of becoming an opera singer. How she would go about it was never a question.

Portrait photo of opera alumna Synne Vinje — Photo: Karl-Magnus Fredriksson

Tell us a bit about your background.

– It turned out that my path to this profession would take many unexpected turns. After completing my bachelor’s degree at the Norwegian Academy of Music, I found myself standing before the SKH admissions panel and felt, somewhat taken aback, that “this is exactly where I belong”.

How did you find your time at the school?

– Fantastic, with inspiring teachers and coaches, challenging projects and the opportunity to delve endlessly into various subjects. At the same time, we were encouraged to develop a sense of self-assurance and to trust that every singer has their own unique path. After a rich and rewarding bachelor’s degree at SKH – including an internship at the Royal Swedish Opera, an exchange programme at the Oslo National Academy of the Arts and fantastic courses in Vilnius – I took an incredible network with me as I moved on to a Master’s programme at SKH.

What did you do straight after obtaining your degree, and what are you doing now?

– I signed with an agency and went on auditions. My first roles as a freelancer were Musetta (La Bohème), the Foreign Princess (Rusalka), Marguerite (Faust), Cio-Cio-san (Madama Butterfly) and Liza (The Queen of Spades). Suddenly, I was given the chance to perform as a soloist in churches, and today many of my most wonderful engagements are there. The time since completing my education has given me a wealth of experience and, not least, has meant that I constantly feel humbled by this tough industry.