We’re highlighting summer programs throughout this month and next. If you would like your program to be highlighted, email alex@classicalsinger.com.
It is a rare gift for highly accomplished performers to bring the same magic to their teaching as they do to the stage, but singers at the 2014 WNO Opera Institute at American University had the great fortune to experience such magic in action. This year, students at Washington National Opera’s selective summer program for high school singers were able to work with a range of master class teachers including Harolyn Blackwell, Richard Stilwell, Ron Raines, and Elizabeth Bishop. In addition, Harolyn Blackwell and Richard Stilwell served as Guest Artists-in-Residence during the Institute, providing one-on-one sessions for each student. Giving advice on vocal technique, presentation, interpretation, crossing genres, and making it in the tough world of performance, these renowned performers truly gave their all to students during their time at the Institute.
Working with the master class teachers and Guest Artists-in-Residence had a profound effect on the students:
- “The singers were really open and seemed to enjoy what they were doing. The input they bring is very much needed for us.”
- “With this one lesson [with Ms. Blackwell] I felt like I learned how to sing right for the first time… Everything she said just clicked.”
- “I felt that some of the most valuable lessons that I learned were during the master classes… I really enjoyed working with Mr. Raines because the career path that he has pursued is exactly the one that I would like to pursue.”
- “Mr. Stilwell had so many artistic ideas that I could apply to my art song. His comments that could be applied to my story telling were especially helpful.”
- Ms. Bishop “was fun and easy to work with and had brilliant insight into my voice.”
- “Maybe because of the talent and professionalism of the presenters, the master classes were extremely helpful, even when I wasn’t performing.”
- “It was really helpful to work with someone who has had a big career because it makes you realize that they have such a great understanding of technique.”
Learning from major professionals in the field is only one aspect of Washington National Opera’s Opera Institute at American University. The selective three-week summer program for high school singers interested in pursuing a career in opera gives students a taste of life as a college music major. In addition to master classes, voice lessons, and coachings, students take courses in ear training and sight-singing, Italian diction, acting, and opera history, and attend workshops on topics such as vocal health, resumé-writing, and the professional world. Performance is also central to the program, and students participate in three recitals of Italian art songs and opera scenes. For more information, please visit www.kennedy-center.org/operainstitute or email operainstitute@kennedy-center.org.
