A week-long institute for singers and voice teachers that includes lessons, master classes, and acting and pedagogy classes, culminating in a semi-staged program of opera scenes. Instructors are W. Stephen Smith, Professor of Voice, with scene direction and acting classes by Gene Roberts. Singers:
A variety of voice types will be chosen to populate a program of opera scenes from the standard repertoire for the ending gala—a semi-staged performance in formal attire of approximately one and a half hours of music (9-12 scenes/ensembles). Each singer participant will receive two private lessons and perform in two of the four master classes during the week. Each singer will be featured in at least one scene and will possibly perform in one or two others. The repertoire for the gala will be chosen ahead of time, so the singers will come with the music learned. The repertoire for the lessons and master classes will focus primarily on four or five arias of the singers' choosing. Singer applicants should have completed a least three years of collegiate level voice training. Teachers:
There will be five two-hour seminars focusing on voice technique and pedagogy for the voice teachers. The seminars will be in a lecture/master class format. The teachers will be the singers in these classes. The teachers will also have the opportunity to participate in the acting classes to observe the singers' four master classes and as many lessons as desired. Teacher applicants should have collegiate level voice teaching experience.
