Our CS Music Community is not one that is stagnant. We are made up of real musicians who offer diverse perspectives and experiences; even more importantly, we pay it forward to keep our wonderful art form alive.
Nyla Watson, who was last year’s winner of our Emerging Pro Musical Theatre Competition, and Andréa Ochoa, an advancing competitor in our Classical Competition on multiple occasions, are two CS Music Community members who exemplify this mission.
The dynamic duo, along with Tyler Dobies (this year’s 2nd place Emerging Pro Musical Theatre winner) and other talented staff are launching the inaugural year of their virtual summer camp: Building Voices of the Future (BVOF). This camp is truly an opportunity that any-and-all school students (and those who have just graduated high school) should plug into immediately!
BVOF’s focus is described as, “a voice intensive for high school students, focused on cultivating well-rounded and impactful artists. We are Building Voices of the Future.” This program aims to set the stepping-stones for its participants so that they can eventually know WHY they are doing what they do and make mindful decisions while navigating their chosen artform. BVOF goes beyond just acting and vocal technique, although there will be much of this knowledge imparted as well; students will work on “Finding Your WHY” and finding their voice as an artist, cultivating beyond their role as a choir member/group member. BVOF will give focus to each individual as a soloist.
Andréa Ochoa (https://www.andreaochoasoprano.com) and Nyla Watson (www.queennyla.com) are both recent graduates of NYU’s dual-degree program and run active private studios, both receiving a Master of Music in their current genre of focus and a specialized, post-Masters Vocal Pedagogy certificate. Ochoa is an active auditionee and performer of opera, and Watson has been afforded the opportunity to be a swing for the Church Ladies of The Color Purple National Tour and understudying Madame Morrible in the touring production of Wicked. What makes their work with BVOF so special is that they love what they do and want it to survive, by investing their expertise into the excellence of future artists. They have spent a great deal of time researching the demand for what high school students are lacking, and they, along with the other instructors of BVOF, have created the type of program they longed for in high school.
Each Friday of the camp will include industry professionals working with the students, including the following exciting lineup:
- Amanda Jane Cooper (15th Anniversary Glinda in Wicked)
- Ciara Renée (Broadway’s Last Elsa in Frozen and Leading Player in Pippin, original witch in Big Fish)
- Rebekah Bruce Parker (Conductor for Mean Girls Broadway and National tour)
- Stephanie Scuderi (Founder, CEO, and Lead Director for the Spotlight Arts program in NY)
High School Students, whether you would like to sing and be coached or just observe, sign up and dive into this summer intensive! The deadline has been extended for the CS Community until July 6, with a 10% Discount Code: CSMUSIC10 . Find additional program details below.
Be Seen. Be Heard. CONNECT! #CSMusicCommunity
BVOF Virtual Camp Info
Ages: Rising high school freshmen to recent graduates of high schools (generally 14-18)
Application Requirements: Short application and a performance video (A representation of current ability/strengths, not an audition.)
Application Deadline: Extended to July 6, 2020
Dates: July 13-31, M-Thur, 11am-6pm EST and Fridays 11-8 EST
Cost: $375 (about $25/day)
Duration: 3-weeks
Observer’s Option (observe everything except the individual coaching or lessons): $150
*1 Piano Apprentice spot is available for a student pianist who will shadow the camp’s pianist: Cost is $200
Website: https://www.andreaochoasoprano.com/bvof
Program Features
Weekly voice lessons
1-on-1 Coaching
Acting through song
Genre-specific masterclasses and lectures
- Disney
- Classical music
- Contemporary Music
- Musical Theatre
Daily masterclasses; Each genre will have a lecture one day, followed by an application masterclass the next day
Industry professional masterclass each Friday that will have Q&A and coaching components
Connect with BVOF:
Instagram: @buildingvoicesofthefuture
Tiktok: @BVOFMusic
Facebook: @Buildingvoicesofthefuture
