Opera on the Avalon: Last minute roles to fill

Opera on the Avalon in St. John's Newfoundland has experienced some singer emergencies leaving the following roles vacant:

Female Roles in Suor Angelica
Osmina
Mistress of the Novices

Male Roles in Gianni Schicchi 
Spinelloccio
Marco and the Notary

For more information, contact Katherine Tuck, Festival Coordinator at (709) 722-8124 or info@operaontheavalon.com ASAP!

UPDATE MAY 10:  Just received a message that that roles of Marco and the notary have been filled :)

Opera V Mana: Training Program in Montreal

I received this notice in my inbox this week from Montreal company Opera V Mana.  I had never heard of them but see that my University of Toronto colleagues Lorna MacDonald and Daniel Taylor are doing master classes this summer! 

Opera V Mana's mandate is an old story: provide a more training for singers....but they are upping the acting quota AND they have a cool name (V=Voice and MANA = supernatural force).  Check out their posting below:

AUDITIONS NOTICE(french below)

Due to a student strike in Québec, Opera VMana auditions in Montreal have been postponed to April 11th 2012 (April 12th if needed). You have until April 6th to send your application form and until April 12th to send your free Audio or Video recording application if you cannot attend the live auditions.

OPERA VMANA-Summer Program

The summer program offers a unique training on essential skills for opera singers that are not always taught in universities programs.

-    Acting (theatre, monologue, improvisation, stage combat and staged opera scenes)
-    Body awareness (dance, yoga, Feldenkreis, Alexander Technique)
-    Voice (coaching, french and Italian diction, masterclasses)
-    Career management (lectures on promotional material with a publicist, audition techniques, The Singer and the Conductor, The Business of Singing)

We will offer masterclasses with reknowned Canadian singers such as Daniel Taylor, Mark Pedrotti, Lorna MacDonald, Lyne Fortin (among others). We also offer optional voice lesson packages with our affiliated teachers, Lyne Fortin and Julie Daoust.

For further information and to apply to the program, please visit www.operavmana.com

Maude Brunet et Nadine Guertin
Founders and directors, Opéra VMana

VISI this summer announced!

Explore the new horizons of Art Song

SINGERS, PIANISTS, COMPOSERS, SCHOLARS, TEACHERS
ACTORS, DIRECTORS, CREATIVE WRITERS:

VISI merges tradition with explorations at the boundaries of Art Song studies. Our programs integrate groundbreaking innovation in interpretation, performance practice, production, composition, research, and new career paths for artists.
Innovation depends on inspired collaborations. Guided by internationally renowned artists, scholars, and other experts, enjoy dynamic and intensive masterclasses, coachings, workshops, lectures, collaborative retreats, and Art Song Theatre production. Explore the new directions of arts for social change. 

Take the stage at VISI and share your own powerful message and daring creativity.

Transform your views of Art Song and its contemporary relevance in the world.

“VISI is nothing short of a new model for exploration of the arts.”

VISI 2012 PROGRAMS

We are honoured to announce the participation of
SIR THOMAS ALLEN

and Professors MICHAEL MUSGRAVE, LORNA MACDONALD, MIRA ZAKAI,
in the VISI 2012 faculty.

We also celebrate the return of Mezzo-soprano SUSAN PLATTS and Professors MARGO GARRETT and SUSAN YOUENS to our distinguished group of artists and scholars.

Theatre of Art Song/Collaborative Piano 

SONGFIRE Theatre Apprenticeship
Interdisciplinary Song Scholarship and Performance

French Mélodie Immersion Studies
Art Song Lab
Arts of Conscience
Courses for the General Public

Choose the VISI programs that fit your career path and enjoy the converging events that weave all the strands together.

The Ontario Youth Choir turns 40!

This week the Ontario Youth Choir, in residence at the University of Toronto, turns 40!  Under the direction of Dr. Hilary Appfelstadt (Director of Choral Activities at UofT), 40 young singers between the ages of 16 and 24 spend eight intense days rehearsing music for a 3 day tour of concerts.

I have had the privilege of providing private vocal lessons to each of the 20 young women of the choir this week while my colleague Peter Barnes will spend the next 3 days working with the young men...and what a talented bunch!  I look forward to hearing these voices as they grow and mature.

If you are a singer that is interested in experiencing choral music at a very high level, check out the OYC website for information on how to join this exciting choir!

To catch this choir in action, you can hear them in Orillia this Saturday, August 27 at St. James' Cathedral at 8pm. In Toronto, they will be performing at the CNE on Friday, August 26 and again in McMillan Theatre at the Edward Johnson Building (UofT) on Sunday, August 28 at 2:00pm.

Natalie Paulin @ Camp Musical de Saguenay

This just in from the Camp Musical de Saguenay Lac-Sainte-Jean:

Soprano Natalie Paulin will be doing a concert and master class with young singers this summer! What a great opportunity to work with newly appointed University of Toronto Applied Voice Faculty (she has been teaching French Diction since 2008) AND immerse yourself in the French language and culture!

Check out the Camp for singers aged 20-35 at http://www.campmusical-slsj.qc.ca/

For more information on Natalie Paulin, please visit her website!

Places to sing in Southern Alberta...

Fifteen and twenty years ago there wasn't much for young singers to do in Alberta but things have changed!  Banff (always!), NUOVA, Mountain View Festival and now...SAVE (Southern Alberta Vocal Experience).  Run by the faculty at the University of Lethbridge for high school and university level singers, this is a great chance to keep your singing chops active during the summer! Check it out!