University of Toronto Bound!

I am thrilled to announce that I have just accepted a part-time applied voice position at the University of Toronto Faculty of Music starting September 2010.  It is so exciting to return to the place that kicked off my musical journey and teach alongside people that have inspired and mentored my career.

In addition to the one day per week at UofT, I will continue my part time load at Queen's University while maintaining students at the Queen's Conservatory of Music in Kingston and Pinnacle Music Studios in Belleville.

I will keep you posted on the various events at both universities in addition to programs and events across the county.  I look forward to continuing to be part of excellent voice training in Canada!

Job Posting: Professor of Voice at Cambrian College

Employment Opportunity

Cambrian College

Sudbury ● Ontario

Professor —

Music Program (Voice)

School of Music

Competition #10-F-02

Cambrian College’s School of Music requires a full-time Professor to teach in the Music program, beginning August 2010. 

The successful applicant will teach basic music theory, voice majors and minors, performance, and voice pedagogy, as well as direct the Cambrian College Choir.

The position requires a dynamic individual who has a Master’s degree in Music, or equivalent. Previous teaching experience and experience performing as a soloist are necessary. Operatic training and performance and experience performing in national competitions are considered definite assets. Piano accompaniment skills would also be considered an asset.

The incumbent must be a team player who will collaborate with faculty members to teach, perform at recitals, recruit and retain students in the music area, and help build and expand the Music program at Cambrian College. Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, along with the ability to be an effective role model in the classroom, are also required. In addition, the incumbent must possess good organizational skills and be able to function in a busy environment.

Candidates selected for an interview will be required to perform a short recital, to demonstrate teaching ability through a mini-instructional session, and to conduct a pre-determined choral selection.  

Interested individuals may apply, by email only, with a covering letter, quoting the competition number, and a résumé, detailing education and experience, to:

Human Resources Department
Cambrian College of Applied Arts and Technology
1400 Barrydowne Road, Sudbury, Ontario, P3A 3V8
Email: humanresources@cambriancollege.ca

Closing Date: Friday, June 11, 2010, at 4 p.m.

While all responses are appreciated, only those applicants who will be invited for an interview will be contacted.

Committed to education and employment equity. Applications from qualified members

of designated groups are encouraged. 

Making the Cut: University of Western Ontario

The Don Wright Faculty of Music at the University of Western Ontario was represented by Vocal Coordinator and the President of the Ontario Chapter of NATS, tenor Torin Chiles. Torin is an eloquent speaker and outlined the following features of the Western program:

1. There are over 200 singers at Western; 40 of which are graduate students. This number will increase in 2010-11 when they roll out their new Doctorate program (DMA). This makes them the largest Faculty of Music in Ontario (and in the country I believe).


2. The undergraduate experience aims to nurture and challenge their singers in a safe environment. Students are encouraged to discover and evolve as musicians and human beings.


3. Their faculty features many well known Canadian performing artists including mezzo Anita Kraus (currently at the COC in Butterfly), baritone Ted Baerg, mezzo Sophie Roland (who, with her husband Todd Wieczorek bring DMA degrees from Indiana University) and recently hired soprano Laura Whalen.


4. They provide numerous master classes with visiting artists including Canadian soprano Adrianne Pieczonka.


5. Last summer they launched a summer program aimed at the emerging artist called Canadian Operatic Arts Academy (COAA) (check out their brochure - auditions for 2010 are in November!)


6. Their opera program has the benefit of a new facility with 3 productions for 2009-10. The operas are based on open auditions for undergrads and graduate students so everyone has a chance to learn a major role.


7. Their education stream is very strong with a Faculty of Education at UWO making a convenient transition after 4th year. Part of the strength of this program are the 5 choirs that provide training in choral singing and conducting.


8. UWO doesn't provide big scholarships as they chose to distribute their money evenly among students based on academic achievement as they feel this is a large indicator for success. You can be guaranteed $2000 if you enter with a 90% or higher and $1500 with an 85%!

In short, UWO is a big school and with that comes big opportunity, a plethora of experiences and of course, a lovely campus!

Making the Cut: University of Ottawa

It is always a party when Ingemar Korjus from the University of Ottawa is in the room! His ultra-resonant bass-baritone voice announced that UofO was a small but MIGHTY music school (while donning the Wagner helmet with horns)! Here are the highlights of the program as presented:

1. 1. Sandra Graham (his wife) is on faculty teaching Opera Workshop. Sandra is a mezzo that sang in Germany for years and brings a wealth of knowledge to her teaching.
2. They encourage the onus of study to be on the student asking "what do I (the student) have to offer as a musician?"
3. Singers outnumber the rest of the musicians at UofO. With a focus on helping students feel safe, they can take the risks necessary to learn more and get to the next level.
4. Opera Workshop is a major part of the program involving both undergrads and graduate students. In the past they have performed the Medium, Cosi fan Tutte, Don Giovanni, Carmen and this year will do Le Nozze di Figaro with orchestra.
5. There is a wealth of musical happenings in Ottawa and when major singers come to sing with the NAC Orchestra, UofO has them present master classes. Last year they hosted Russel Braun, Dalton Baldwin (pianist) and Edith Weins. Students also receive free tickets to many concerts.

Ingemar finished with a passionate speech encouraging young singers to "follow your heart and you will not go wrong".

Making the Cut: Brock University

Deborah Linton was on hand to outline some of the features of the 4 year BMus program at Brock University. Here are some of the highlights of the program as presented:

1. Location, location, location! Located in the lovely Niagara Peninsula, Brock University is surrounded by verdant fields filled with grapes, peaches and apple orchards. Niagara Falls is minutes away plus wine tastings, Shaw Festival Theatre and Fort George. The added bonus is that it is also only an hour from Toronto!
2. Brock University Department of Music is small with individualized attention. Faculty know students by name. They offer a 4 year Honours BMus, BA with Honours in Music, and BAs with music as a major or minor (see their website for details!). The translation? The program is flexible and tailor-made to your needs and interests.
3. Brock has its own Faculty of Education which makes the transition into the BEd program seamless.
4. The Music Department is part of the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts which includes drama and art which means a wide range of artist possibilities for courses.
5. They have recently been given a large endowment which will see new facilities, 6 new concert halls including a 1000 seat theatre and tonnes of scholarship money!
6. There are many opportunities to perform with opera excerpts, weekly master classes, and joint productions with the theatre department.
7. Courses included 1 hour weekly lessons, Diction and Pedagogy.

Making the Cut: The Glenn Gould School at the Royal Conservatory of Music

Jennifer Tung and Donna Sherman represented The Glenn Gould School from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. Here are some of the highlights of their program as presented:

1. The GG offers a 4 year BMus degree and a 2 year Diploma
2. They offer 90 minute lessons (These lessons can be split 60/30 voice and piano if needed or you can purchase extra lesson time on another instrument)
3. Performance opportunities include Master Classes with international singers. Last season was Ruth Falcon of Mannes College in NYC and Canadian baritone John Fanning; this season includes Frederica Von Stade.
4. They have 3 performance facilities including the brand new Koener Hall . Additionally their space has been newly renovated with new rehearsal and teaching spaces added.
5. They will help make you the musician you need to be to have a career as a singer! They feed into the COC Ensemble and have a working relationship with Opera Atelier.
6. This is a conservatory-style education where incoming grades are not weighed as heavily as they would be at a university.

Undergraduate Programs - a Review

For all of you who have requested information on applying to voice programs, here is a quick list of programs I reviewed last year:

Mount Allison University
University of Manitoba
University of British Columbia
Wilfrid Laurier University
Queens University

By no means is this exhaustive - it is obvious I have left out some of the big guns - UofT, McGill, Western - but do not despair! Watch for posts the first week of October after the NATS "Making the Cut" weekend for more reviews!

Making the Cut - Ontario NATS hosts Post-Secondary Info Session

Now on the NATS Ontario Chapter website:

MAKING THE CUT: a workshop for students who plan to audition for post-secondary music programs

Every two years, NATS Ontario presents this very popular workshop for students and their parents and teachers. A panel of representatives from most of Onatrio's university, college and conservatory music programs will speak about the opportunities they offer and their expectations of preparation and talent in the singers who audition for them.

The event will take place on September 27, 2009 at 2 PM at Unioville High School (201 Town Centre Boulevard, Markham ON The street runs north from Hwy 7, just west of Warden Ave.) The session will be followed by a meet-and-greet time for students to talk to the presenters.

Don't go to your audition without this valuable preparation. You could even meet the person who will hear your audition. There will be a nominal entry fee for students, parents and teachers or coaches who are not NATS members.

Come join us at the end of the month. I hope to be there with the Queens delegates!

Watch for it...

Sorry to all who have been waiting with baited breath for my final reviews of Canadian undergraduate programs. Its been a week of....stuff. Needless to say, being a parent can be a challenge as I discussed in a previous post! Will get back on the horse and finish my reviews and move on to other topics!

Enjoy the snow for those of you who got dumped on yesterday!

Undergraduate Programs for Voice in Canada: Mount Allison University

At the very centre of the maritimes sits Mount Allison University in Sackville, NB. With a capped undergraduate enrollment totalling 2,250 students in arts, science, commerce, fine arts and music, this liberal arts university boasts a tight-knit music community.

Why bother paying attention to this little school in "the middle of no-where"? Because somehow, they have managed to attract faculty that boast MMs and DMAs from some of the most prestigious universities in North America including my Alma mater, the Eastman School of Music.

Here is a list of necessary information for admissions and completion to their undergraduate programs in music:

1. Degrees: This is directly out of the course calendar: "The Department of Music offers instruction leading to both the Bachelor of Music degree (B.Mus.) and the Bachelor of Arts in Music. The former is professionally oriented, whereas the latter (B.A. Major or Honours in Music) is designed for the student with a more general interest in music. A Minor in Music is available to students in any program. The Bachelor of Music degree is offered without designated majors, and allows the student considerable latitude to put emphasis on any of the subject areas: Music Theory and Composition; Music History and Literature; Music Education and Performance. It is designed to develop well-rounded musicians in practical, theoretical, and historical areas, as well as to provide a sound education in the liberal arts. This versatility of approach is in keeping with the wide-ranging demands which are placed on the musician of today".
2. Admission: Like all music programs, admission is by audition. Singers are asked for four pieces including one in English representing different styles of music. You will also be interviewed by a member of the faculty and have to complete an entrance assessment exam which includes aural skills and musical skills.
3. Faculty: As mentioned earlier, this small school has managed to attract some serious scholars including voice teacher and opera workshop director Dr. Helen Pridmore and music historian Dr. Elizabeth Wells both graduate of the Eastman School of Music. In addition to Dr. Pridmore who is full time, the voice faculty is rounded out by part time instructors soprano Monette Gould and baritone Peter Groom.
4. Degree Requirements: Although Mount Allison does not offer a performance designation with the B.Mus Degree, they do offer a number of classes to support performing including History of Opera, Diction for Singers, Musical Theatre, Collaborative Keyboard (student pianists are paired with student singers and are coached together), and shared and full recital options in fourth year.
5. Ensembles: There are eight ensembles of which three are dedicated to singers.
6. Opera: Dr. Pridmore runs the Opera Workshop which performs regular concerts of opera scenes. They perform an annual tour of the maritimes and have created new operas including a Christmas 2008 opera titled "The Tailor of Gloucester".
7. Scholarships: Although Mount Allison doesn't boast a tonne of scholarships, they do have the massive Bell Scholarship - a renewable $9,000/year or $12,000/year award for top students. Additionally they have the Leta G. Hill Scholarship worth $40,000 over 4 years, and the Confederation Scholarships worth $5,000 annually.
8. Calendar of Events: One of the other reasons I was excited by the Mount Allison program was their impressive calendar of events. Looking at the 2008-09 academic year boasts an average at least 8 concerts per month including an early music festival, a symposium on the music of Oliver Messiaen, special events for Canada Music Week, a special concert for Convocation Weekend and a whopping 13 faculty recitals!

It is clear that Mount Allison University Department of Music provides an excellent perspective on the music making in North America and has positioned itself as the creative centre of the community. I would love to hear from alumni with your comments or stories of your time at Mount A!

Wednesday, January 21

Since posting this article about Mount A, I have heard from Helen Pridmore. She writes:

...We're proud of our small department -- even the fact that we're so small
makes us special, because it makes for terrific interaction between faculty and
students.

If you felt like adding a bit more info about us, I would love to have included the fact that I specialize in new and experimental music. We have a small new music ensemble here and a group of very active student composers, and we encourage collaboration and experimentation!

Thanks Helen for responding!

Undergraduate Programs for Voice in Canada: University of Manitoba

Ah Winnipeg - the cold butt of Canadian jokes. But what a city of arts and culture! The Faculty of Music at the University of Manitoba seems to be the hotbed for great Canadian Singers including colouratura soprano Tracy Dahl. This combined with the $20 million dollar donation given last year by Marcel A. Desautels for which the faculty is now named has allowed the school to leverage itself into the jazz world. According to the website they offer a "small conservatory atmosphere within a large university setting". I take this to mean individualized attention and training.

Here is a list of necessary information for admissions and completion to their undergraduate programs in music:

1. Admission: Singers must prepare three contrasting pieces including one in English and perform a live audition (DVD will be accepted if you live FAR away). Additionally you may be required to do some sight singing, a short interview, and a written theory test. They suggest that one must be singing at a minimum Grade 7 RCM level.


2. Degrees: UofM offers a general Bachelor of Music which options for performance after the 2nd year jury. Additionally they offer an "Integrated" Bachelor of Music/Education. Again, once must be admitted after 2 years in the BMUS program. This is different than the Concurrent Education programs (at Queens for example) that admit the student directly to both the Music and Education departments.


3. Faculty: The voice department is coordinated by well known baritone and Associate Professor Mel Braun who is also the director of the opera workshop program (more on that later). Additional full time staff include Dr. Karen Jensen who is currently serving as Dean of Graduate Studies, and vocal coach Dr. Laura Loewen. There are a whopping 8 part time faculty members of whom many have graduated from the UofM program. Those include Tracy Dahl, Valdine Anderson and Monica Huisman all former student prodigies of voice guru Mary Morrison.


4. Degree Requirements: The four year performance degree requirements require the standard courses in music history, theory and music skills as well as applied voice lessons. and third and fourth year recitals. Additionally, all voice majors are required to take the Vocal Pedagogy course to graduate. Electives specific to voice study include Opera Repertoire, French Diction, Italian Diction and German Diction courses.


5. Opera: The University of Manitoba has created a one year Opera Apprenticeship Program targeted at the post graduate singer. This program includes lessons and coaching and puts on two semi-staged productions per year as well as a school tour. Additionally the school offers a four week summer Com temporary Opera Lab run my Mel Braun.


6. Ensembles: Of the almost 20 ensembles offered, there are 9 that include singers including Vocal Master Classes, Opera Workshop, a Contemporary Ensemble, and early music Collegium and various choirs.


7. Scholarships: The Faculty offers a large number or grants and scholarships of which 11 are designated for voice studies. In September 2007, there were 75 Music Students awarded a total of $93,285.00, including 14 students who received $22,200.00 in Entrance Scholarships.

For a small school, the University of Manitoba`s Faculty of Music packs a big punch. High profile performers combined with a small student body, excellent course offerings and an opera workshop make for a great training ground for young singers. Many of my friends have come from UofM and have gone on to great things and still speak fondly of their days of personal instruction and personable faculty.

Undergraduate Programs for Voice in Canada: University of British Columbia

I am excited to talk about the University of British Columbia's School of Music Program. Not knowing anything about the program other than the Division Head Nancy Hermiston, I am pleased to report that their website is fantastic! It was very easy to find information with clear outlines for courses, expectations, scholarships and program requirements. I was also impressed by the number of courses and their high demands considering they are not a faculty but a School of Music within the Faculty of Arts. Obviously they have worked hard to make themselves relevant and integral to their University and to the community at large (case in point, the Chan Centre for Performing Arts).


Here is a list of necessary information for admissions and completion to their undergraduate programs in music:

1. Degrees: Bachelor of Music or a Bachelor of Arts with a major, minor or honours in Music. There are 4 main streams of study in the B.Mus Program - advanced performance, general studies (most students follow this stream), composition and music scholarship (entry in 3rd or 4th year with a focus on music history, theory or ethnomusicology).
2. Admission: As usual one must audition but UBC expects 5-6 pieces of standard repertoire which is on par with the larger faculties in the country. As well there is a Grade VI piano requirement that if not met upon entrance is worked on over the first two years of study.
3. Faculty: There are three full time faculty members including Division Head Nancy Hermiston and 9 sessional members.
4. Degree Requirements: This school takes their singers seriously and requires a first year Lyric Diction course, second and third year Song Repertoire classes, and a fourth year Song Interpretation class for piano and voice majors to collaborate together. In addition to these required courses, the school offers Opera Theatre Techniques, Vocal Techniques (Pedagogy), History of Opera, Opera Workshop.
5. Opera: UBC School of Music has become known across the country for their Opera department. Undergrads can take the Opera Workshop classes and be part of the main stage shows that are put on each semester. This is also a great way to advance through into the Young Artists Training Program that they offer.
6. Ensembles: UBC boasts and impressive 11 ensemble courses including Vocal Chamber Music, Contemporary Music (with Stephen Chatman no less!), Early Music Ensemble (which partners with Early Music Vancouver for master classes), a Vocal Jazz Ensemble and 5 different Choral Ensembles. Choral Ensembles are required for third and forth year voice majors and fourth years are required to register for a small and a large ensemble course.
7. Languages: There is a language requirement of 6 credits each of Italian, French and German study to graduate.
8. Scholarships: There seems to be a large number of scholarships that are given to incoming and continuing students based on faculty recommendation. Additionally there is a strong community support with much funding from outside the university.

I could go on and on about this program but the bottom line with UBC School of Music is that they are training PERFORMERS. They are willing to teach you the music skills you might lack in order to attract the best singers in the country. So far it seems to be working!

A new year brings new posts

Welcome to 2009! A new year with new ideas, new events and a re commitment to keeping up-to-date on teaching advances and information, events, programs and Canadian opera singers.

I will continue the undergraduate music program theme for another few weeks and will go across the county starting in the west with the University of British Columbia then the University of Manitoba. From there I will jump east and look at Mount Allison University then come back to the "centre" (don't hate me westerners!) with the "big three": McGill University, University of Toronto and University of Western Ontario.

I'll finalize the overview with a post of links to ALL the programs in Canada for future reference.

So...up next is UBC!

Undergraduate Programs for Voice in Canada: Wilfrid Laurier University

If great public relations and gloss were the only indicator of a great music program, Wilfrid Laurier University Faculty to Music would hold the prize. Their website is a testament to well publicized school events and student accomplishments. For example, their current home page has 5 headlines (press releases) and of them, three of them outline what the voice program and its students are up to.

Laurier has always had a great reputation for performance. Its steady output of students of quality students hit the roof with the current success of alumni soprano Jane Archibald who is a fixture at the Vienna State Opera. Other alumni include Daniel Lichti (now on faculty), Theodore Baerg (on faculty at University of Western Ontario), soprano Kathleen Brett, Steven Horst, and tenor Keith Boldt. Recently under the guide of Canadian mezzo Kimberly Barber, Laurier is now showing itself as a place to learn not just the skills to be a singer but by example, how to promote oneself to the world.

One cannot have a successful voice program without a great vocal coach and Laurier has that with Leslie De'Ath. He is the go-to expert on Diction by serving as an Associate Editor for Language and Diction for the Journal of Singing published by NATS.

All teachers are involved with the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) having recently hosted the Ontario General Meeting and Competition. Of the 23 Lauirer singers who competed, half finished in the top three of their respective classes...and out of 4 different voice studios. I would say they are doing something right!

Here is a quick link guide to the nuts and bolts of their program:

1. Faculty List
2. Bachelor of Music in Performance : a four year program with classes in diction, voice lessons and performance opportunities including studio classes and master classes.
3. Opera Diploma Program: a one year post-grad program focusing on continued voice training and stage craft in addition to increasing repertoire knowledge.
4. Intensive Studies in Voice Workshop: optional 9 week spring semester workshop run by the voice department and open to any undergraduate student who wishes to apply (that means from any other school of music!)
5. Audition Requirements: in addition to preparing 2 songs at a minimum of RCM Grade 8 level, those auditioning will write a theory entrance and do a piano proficiency exam.
6. And finally...money: looks like there are at least 9 named scholarships for entering and current music students including a $2000 Victor Martens and David Falk Scholarship in Voice Performance entrance scholarship named for two of the longest standing voice teachers at Laurier. You can do a more detailed search on their database here.

Undergraduate Programs for Voice in Canada: Queens University

'Tis the season for university applications to be finalized and submitted. Over the next few months, students will continue to polish their audition repertoire in preparation for undergraduate program audition season! Lets take a look at the various programs in Canada...




I thought we could start with smaller schools first and of course, I have to feature my own place of employment!

The Queens University School of Music has recently launched a new website. Their opening message tells it all:

Our programs have earned a reputation for being both comprehensive and flexible, allowing students to explore many of their interests. You may pursue courses in one or a combination of the following areas: theory/composition, music education, musicology/ethnomusicology, music technology and performance. It is also possible to combine music and education degrees in the very successful concurrent education program.

Queens provides a boutique music experience - you can tailor your program to suit your interests and needs and at the same time be part of the long-standing traditional undergraduate campus experience.

The voice faculty includes area coordinator and long time faculty member Carol-Lynn Reifel, soprano Dianne Baird, soprano Ewelina Kwasniewska, baritone Bruce Kelly, baritone Gregory Brookes, and myself.
In addition to studying voice as a voice major, once can take lessons for credit regardless of their program of study. I have a number of non-music and non-voice majors in my studio and find their commitment to their study to be excellent! Non-majors as well as majors must fulfill the bi-weekly studio class requirement as well as the year end jury.
Additionally there is the performance option for all majors. Once must be recommended for performance at their jury and then compete with all music students to be selected. If selected, you have the opportunity to do a recital at the end of the year in lieu of a jury and graduate with a performance degree.
Other courses that are offered include second year Lyric Diction (soon to be mandatory) and Lyric Theatre Workshop through the Conservatory program.

Queens has a thriving student run Opera Club that produces at least one show per year. Entry is by audition with the whole program run by students for students. This year they are producing Purcell's Dido and Aeneas.

Academically Queens only accepts students with a minimum high school average of 80%. Additionally once must do a successful audition for entry plus show keyboard and theory proficiency. The Concurrent Education Program is very difficult to get into with only an average of 10 spots per year (all instruments).

More information can be found on their website here or you can email me with direct voice questions at em47 (at) queensu (dot) ca.

Next program: Wilfred Laurier University