PROGRAM INFORMATION
There is a severe shortage of large, dramatic voices in the opera world today, especially for the great roles of the Verdi, Strauss and Wagner repertoire. A dramatic voice is one large enough to be heard over these composers’ heavy orchestration. Lighter, lyric voices are often pushed into these dramatic voice parts to fill this void - often shortening their careers as a result. The Institute for Young Dramatic Voices aims to remedy this situation by finding, nurturing and inspiring the next generation of Wagner, Strauss and Verdi singers, so that these unique talents may reach the world’s great opera stages.
Now in our 3rd year, we have developed an innovative 3-week intensive summer program that gives young singers with large or unusual voices the opportunity to study with leading coaches and voice teachers who understand the nature of an adolescent voice unfolding in a growing body. Too often the singers with the greatest voices and musical talent are lost in the shuffle because their development is misunderstood. What makes our program unique is that we specialize in addressing this problem and offer a solution. Part of that solution is individual one-on-one training from experts in opera. Too often students receive very little individual attention save for their voice teachers, and are left to their own devices to figure out what they need. It is our goal to find these young singers before they are discouraged and misinformed in their musical quest.
Singers receive careful instruction from seasoned professional coaches and voice teachers who understand the nature of an adolescent voice unfolding in a growing body, and who understand what kind of skills a professional singer really needs to survive an operatic career. Classes include voice lessons, music fundamentals, Italian and English diction, and acting. The program culminates in a final concert of opera scences. All students will have the opportunity to receive private and class instruction from such notable professionals as Dolora Zajick, Joel Revzen, Ben Terry Lusk, Anthony Manoli, Kathryn LaBouff, Jacob Will and Daniela Siena. All students will be guaranteed classroom instruction as well as voice lessons with Dolora Zajick. (For a complete list of all coaches and instructors and their bios, click here.)
Preference will be given to large or unusual voices. We are looking at all levels of development and are primarily looking for singers with musical and voice potential, and communicative instincts. We are interested in beginners with no experience as well as those who have had considerable training. Students who gain or have the proper skills will be assigned roles of increasing importance in an advanced program that will include an opera scenes program and more intensive instruction.
Dates of the 2010 Program
The Institute will be held in Orem, Utah from July 12 - July 31st in 2010. Students should plan on arriving no later than the afternoon of July 11th, and should not plan on leaving earlier than late morning of August 1st. Housing for students will be in BYU approved apartments, and three meals a day will be provided, except for Sundays.
PROGRAM LEVELS
Discovery Level Ages 15-20 inclusive (Tuition fee $300; room and board cost approx. $1,000)
This is our newest program which has multiple purposes. One is to provide a place for beginning students with the qualities we are looking for a place to "discover" opera, and see if this is something they would like to pursue. Another is for us to see if a student is really what we are looking for in our Introductory Program. Another is to allow local students an opportunity to participate. Students in this category receive all the same instruction opportunities that the other levels receive, but they are sometimes in group lessons.
Introductory Level Ages 15-22 inclusive (No tuition fee; room and board cost approx. $1,000)
Preference will be given to large voices. We are looking at all levels of development and are primarily looking for singers with musical and vocal potential and communicative instincts. We are interested in beginners with no experience as well as those who have considerable training. Singers who don't qualify for the Introductory Program may be accepted into the Opera Discovery Program (see below) dependent on openings.
Intermediate Level Ages 23-29 inclusive (no tuition fee; room and board cost approx. $1,000)
Intermediate students must already have some musical and linguistic training, experience is preferable and more is expected of an older singer than a younger. Application for this program is by referral only from someone at the Institute, or a professional in the business such as a conductor, professional coach or teacher, or a person who holds a music administration post such as the head of music staff in an opera company
Advanced Level Ages 27-34 inclusive (no tuition fee; room and board covered by Institute)
Singers at this level have management and or contracts or are usually in their final years of training in a major residency or equivalent. They have already had experience and come to refine their skills. We do not accept beginners without experience or musical training at this level. Applicants must have a referral to apply for this program
Singers in the Introductory Program and Intermediate program will participate in a culminating concert which include a scenes program.
OTHER PROGRAMS
There are several possibilities available to audit the program. Auditors are allowed to observe classes and lessons as posted each day, including the daily warmup with Ms. Zajick. Auditors will receive no personal instruction. If time is available, auditors may request private lessons from the faculty for a fee. Auditors will be charged $50 per day, or $500 for all the days allowed. The days open to auditors in 2010 will be July 14 - 16th, 19th - 23rd, and the 26th - 29th. Our concert will be on the evening of the 31st, and all are welcome to attend. We do limit auditors to no more than 10 a day, so please send your requested days as soon as possible to reserve a place. Auditors will be responsible for their own transportation, room, and board. If you are interested in auditing, please contact Sarah Agler at sagler@instituteforyoungdramaticvoices.org.
Click here for Application Requirements
For more information, please email Sarah Agler at sagler@instituteforyoungdramaticvoices.org
|