- OperaWorks
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OperaWorks Established 1987 Type Summer Program, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. President Ann Baltz Academic staff 16 Location Northridge, California, United States Website OperaWorks.com OperaWorks is the registered trademark for an acclaimed opera training program, founded by program director Ann Baltz, and conducted in Northridge, California.
Contents
Description
OperaWorks is a world-recognized training program for singers and instructors working in the field of classical music. Accepting a limited number of students selected each year from up to eight cities across the United States, the program operates from the beginning of June and runs through the end of July, annually. OperaWorks was founded in 1987[1] by classical pianist Ann Baltz as a response to what she saw as the myopic tendencies of conventional operatic training. Baltz envisioned a new approach to the training of vocalists, in which the "total instrument" would be addressed, not just the voice itself. Over the years, her program has expanded to include instruction in movement, Yoga, acting, visualization, conducting, improvisation and the Alexander technique, as well as career management. [2][3]
Borrowing to some degree from teaching techniques long utilized in contemporary theatrical training, OperaWorks strives to free the individual vocal artist in such a manner that the physical conventions and artifice of opera performance can fall away, hopefully revealing something altogether truer to life itself. Recognizing the uniqueness of each individual artist, OperaWorks endeavors to develop singers from the inside out, thus enabling them to trust their own instincts – musically, emotionally, dramatically.
In 2006, Baltz invited independent filmmaker Brad Mays to spend an entire summer filming the various classes and events at OperaWorks. The results are to be seen in the documentary feature film SING*ularity.[4]
Notable alumni
- Grammy Awards: Hila Plitmann, Priti Gandhi, Jessica Rivera
- Metropolitan Opera: Julie Makerov, Jessica Rivera, Rebecca Ringle, Michael Chioldi, Ashley Emerson, Robert McPherson
- New York City Opera: Raymond Ayers, Randall Scotting, Priti Gandhi, Basia Revi, Rebecca Ringle
- Los Angeles Opera: Michael Chioldi, Erica Wueschner, Priti Gandhi
- Solo Pop recording artist: Arden Kaywin
References
External links
- Official website
- Ann Baltz in residence at AU’s School of Music at Anderson University (Indiana) (14 November 2007)
- IndiWire article about "SING*ularity" (OperaWorks)
- OperaWorks at answers.com
- SING*ularity at Turner Classic Movies (TCM)
Categories:- Opera organizations
- Vocal music
- Singing
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