Young Artists Programs, Universities, Schools

Opera and Musical Theater – 3-5 day immersion experience

Students and artists will be exposed to a more comprehensive method of preparing and performing music selections. It addresses the skills that allow a singer to better communicate the text, the emotional component, and the human connection between themselves and their audience. Behind this approach is the idea that the trained voice is not the end-product, but rather, it serves as an instrument to communicate the explicit and implicit meaning determined through this process. Sessions are most effective as a group experience because feedback from colleagues is supportive, immediate, and honest.

Artist-in-Residence

Provides benefits beyond introducing the process as described above. Students or artists will be able under supervision and repetition to utilize and build layers of this process into their preparation of new material, pre-existent material. It will serve them throughout their career. This format also provides the additional option of staging a scene program.

Individuals and Group sessions

 Opera and Musical Theater

NOTE: Because this is a process rather than a one-shot master class or single coaching, there is no distinction between beginners or experienced performers.  The list below follows a sequence of learning and mastering the components of this process.

Class #1 (available live and on Zoom) – After singing one or two selections of your choice, we will work the text.  We will determine what the song is trying to say or accomplish.  Without the music and the vocalism, we will be able to fully commit to the lyrics. Later on, we will analyze the music to determine why there’s a high note, why there are changes to dynamics or intensity and we will incorporate that information into our spoken rendition of the song. Five sessions.

Class #2 (available live and on Zoom) – You will prepare a new song of my choosing applying the techniques of the first session and then adding the dimension of singing to that foundation. The new song is free from past habits and the experience will be different. Five sessions.

Class #3 (live group sessions only) Adding the dimension to the previous work of focus.  To whom (NOT THE AUDIENCE) are you delivering the song?  By pairing with a partner, you establish a real listener or character that’s part of the scene. Your relationship to that character will greatly affect your deliverance of the song.  When we remove that ‘helper’, you will have a muscle and emotional memory to carry you forward. Creating a scenario that you believe with conviction and an active subtext will contribute to the final product. Five sessions.

Class #4 (live group sessions only) – Taking all the skills appropriate for solo singing/acting, we now add the dimension of duets and scenes that require active listening, active response by both performers.  We will determine what each performer needs to progress from one thought or motivation to the next. Five sessions.

Class #5 (live individual sessions) Expanding on all the previous work, we can use these skills for character development of a complete role. Does the character evolve? How? What choices will demonstrate it?  Does he/she remain unchanged? Why? How can you use your new skills to demonstrate the range of the character you’re playing. Sessions as needed.

Class #6 (format TBA) – Upkeep.  Honing your skills.  Facing challenges of new material or new role.  Finding truths in the director’s concept. Sessions as needed.