Determine your goals
1. What is your ultimate goal?
2. What are the secondary goals that will be the stepping stones towards your ultimate goal?
3. What steps do you need to take to reach your next goal?
Evaluate your skills
1. Do you need to work on diction?
2. Is there one particular language on which you need to focus, such as Italian, French or German?
3. Is your vocal technique good but you feel inhibited when performing?
4. Areas to consider include breathing techniques, Alexander Technique, tone quality, voice production, tension release, legato, line, flexibility, agility, expansion of vocal range, character development, body movement, improvisation/interpretation, audition techniques, or managing anxiety.
Determine what the program offers
1. What is the repertoire?
2. What is the language emphasis?
3. How comprehensive are the classes?
4. Does the program have a special musical emphasis?
5. What performance opportunities does the program provide?
6. Are these public performances?
7. In what kind of venues are the performances held?
8. Are the performances recitals, concert versions, costumed, staged scenes, or operas?
9. Are the performances with piano or orchestra?
10. How many roles will you be able to sing/perform?
11. Are there other curriculum opportunities?
12. Will you receive a contract to guarantee the number of performances?
Some suggested questions to ask regarding potential programs
1. How long has the program existed?
2. Who is sponsoring the program?
3. How long has this institution or non-profit organization existed?
4. How are participants chosen?
5. Who is on the faculty?
6. Do the faculty members have extensive professional opera and professional backgrounds with performance experience?
7. How long has each faculty member been with the program?
8. Is the faculty there for the entire session or only for one day of master classes?
9. Is the number of participants limited, or could any number attend?
10. Who else will be attending?
11. What is their level of performance?
12. Who has attended in the past?
13. What is the daily schedule?
14. How much of your time is scheduled and how much personal time will you have, and when?
15. Will you have time for personal reflection on what you have learned?
16. Will you have time to practice, absorb and incorporate the techniques/skills?
17. How many opportunities will you have to get up and sing in front of others?
18. How much individual attention will you receive?
19. How many individual lessons and coachings will you receive?
20. Are lessons/coachings with a teacher and an accompanist?
21. How long is each lesson/coaching?
22. How much time is available for personal rehearsal?
23. Are pianos available for your personal rehearsal use, and how many per student?
24. What will you need to learn/memorize prior to arriving?
25. What materials will you need to bring?
26. What materials will be provided?
Questions about room and board
1. Is the program located on a self-contained campus?
2. If not, how far is it (distance, not minutes) from where you will stay to the rehearsal facility, classrooms, and performance venues?
3. Is transportation available to get you to and from places within the city and to the train station?
4. How much does local transportation cost?
5. How often does it run?
6. How late at night is transportation available?
7. Does the program provide transportation at night after a performance or rehearsal?
8. What kinds of accommodations are available: hotel, hostel, dorm rooms, private homes?
9. Are pictures of accommodations or virtual tours available?
10. Are the rooms air-conditioned?
11. Are there laundry facilities where you will be staying?
12. How many people will share a room?
13. Is the bathroom in your room or down the hall?
14. If the bathroom is outside the room, is it shared or private?
15. Which meals are included?
16. What are the meals like?
17. What does “complimentary breakfast” mean?
18. Are special dietary considerations accommodated, especially in foreign countries?
Supplemental program opportunities
1. Have they failed to mention any activities that are traditional to the program?
2. Are these included in the fee?
3. What is available to see and hear in the area?
4. Will you have time to visit surrounding areas?
5. Will you have time to hear other performances?
6. Will someone on staff act as a liaison to assist participants during the program?
7. If the organization purchases group tickets for an outside event, concert or trip, is there a surcharge for the service?
Consider the Cost
1. What is the value for your dollar?
2. Is what the program is offering worth the investment?
3. Is the amount of time you will be spending in the program worth the personal investment of your time?
