Masterclasses in interesting locations

I got back last week from doing master classes on auditioning in Novafeltria, Italy at La Musica Lirica.  I did two days there with singers with a wide range of experience, and it was great to hear singers on their various career paths.  It's interesting to see that some of the same issues tend to be universal as challenges -

1.  Having a good grasp of what the "right repertoire" means for auditioning
2.  Being fully ready to present the audition - meaning being comfortable with those presentational elements of an audition that go beyond vocal technique, musicality and correct pronunciation.

This week, I am off to Brazil to direct The Tales of Hoffman for the Festival of International Opera of the Americas.  I will also be doing some master classes there as well, and I hope to report "on location".

An interesting summer

In addition to taking a group of our Opera Company's patrons to the Santa Fe Opera this summer,  I am looking forward to a couple of experiences that have a direct relationship to this blog.
I will be in Italy, conducting master classes at the La Musica Lirica program in Novafeltria, and then soon after, will head off to Brazil to direct The Tales of Hoffman and also conduct master classes at the inaugural season of the Festival of International Opera of the Americas.
I look forward to sharing some thoughts and reflections after my time at both of these programs.

Stay tuned!

Repertoire, repertoire, repertoire

Before you go to do your next audition, you should in conjunction with your coach and teacher, spend time making sure that your audition rep, in addition to being absolutely right for where you are as a singer, shows all of the strengths you have as a performer - not just the voice itself, but what a particular piece allows you to show dramatically and interpretively.

From giving feedback over the past several months, I have learned that this does not happen enough.

Choosing your rep is a very important, strategic part of your audition - it's not just your "current five"
Keep that in mind!