Some roles still available for 2013 Halifax Summer Opera Workshop

Posted by admin on Feb 19, 2013 in 2013 Workshop, Auditions | 0 comments

Are you interested in performing in Halifax with the Halifax Summer Opera Workshop or with the Yorkshire Opera Workshop in England this summer? We’re looking to fill a few places. While there are offers out on some of these roles, if the individuals don’t respond, or respond negatively, we want a possible backup  Apply now (application fee waived – scholarships available in some cases)

INFORMATION HERE: http://halifaxsummeroperaworkshop.com/?page_id=476

Yorkshire Opera Workshop – May 5 to May 25 in Saltburn, Yorkshire, England

***We need one or two tenors – for Scorpio in Seymour Barab’s Mushroom Pizza  and for the Sailor in Dido and Aeneas – we are willing to offer a full scholarship for a tenor for this place as well as a nice place to stay for the first successful applicant.

Sorceress in Dido and Aeneas (mezzo) – one role available

Aeneas/Count Formaggio (baritone) – one role available

Halifax Summer Opera Workshop – July 22 to August 18 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Le nozze di Figaro – with orchestra

Antonio (bass baritone) – 2 roles available

Les dialogues des carmélites – with piano

Marquis de la Force (baritone) – 1 or 2 roles available

The Jailor/Second officer (baritone)– 2 roles available at chorus price ($600)

Chorus members – 1 role available at chorus price ($600)

A Little Night Music – with piano

Madame Armfeldt (contralto) – 1 role available.

Mr Erlanson (tenor)– 2 roles available

Mrs Nordstrom (mezzo)– 1 role possibly available

Petra (mezzo) – 1 role possibly available

To apply for any of these roles please fill in the form on the HSOW website.  You’ll be given an opportunity to upload files, send us links or mail in your materials, and you’ll also be given access to a scholarship form you can fill out.

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Blair Salter named Music Director for A Little Night Music with Halifax Summer Opera Workshop 2013

Posted by admin on Dec 21, 2012 in 2013 Workshop | 0 comments

I’m so happy to announce that collaborative pianist Blair Salter will be joining us as the music director for Stephen Sondheim’s A Little Night Music next summer!

Blair is a recent graduate of the University of Western Ontario’s Master of Music program in Collaborative Piano where she studied with John Hess and Mark Payne. Her credits include work with the Canadian Operatic Arts Academy, Opera NUOVA, La Musica Lirica in Novafeltria, Italy and UWOpera’s productions of La Griselda in 2011 and Die Fledermaus in 2012.

Welcome to the faculty, Blair!

Nina Scott-Stoddart
Artistic Director

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Audition Update – Friday and Sunday are Full, Saturday still has some space

Posted by Marja on Nov 8, 2012 in General | 0 comments

Hello Everyone,

Just a quick update on the audition tour.  Our Wednesday auditions in London are over. Thanks to everyone who auditioned there – some very fabulous singers!

Friday night auditions in Toronto are full, though there may be some last minute cancellations.  Let me know if you wish to be added to the cancellation list.

Saturday (also in Toronto) still has a few audition spaces left, mostly around 5:00 pm.

Sunday in Montreal is full.  If you haven’t been able to book your audition, but have paid for an audition slot, please email me, and I will manually book you a time.

Tuesday in Halifax still has some slots still available.

If you are suffering from illness, or are unable to attend your audition for any other reason, let me know as soon as you have a chance.  You are permitted to switch your audition type to a distance application if you wish – the deadline for distance applications is November 30.

Regards,

Marja Ernst
Administrator & Producer
HSOW

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Announcing HSOW “Extras” for 2013

Posted by Marja on Nov 6, 2012 in General | 0 comments

At HSOW, we strive to keep your tuition low, and realize that many programs charge far more than participants can afford to spend, especially as attending one usually means giving up on a summer job. Unfortunately, this means that our budgets are quite limited, and we can only afford to provide so many services.

However, we also realize that you may be able to afford more than the base tuition. If this is the case, you may wish to take advantage of our list of ‘extra’ offerings, which can be purchased separately from your base HSOW tuition.

Please comment and tell us what you think of our extras, and let us know if there is anything else you would like to see added to the list!

WHAT YOUR TUITION COVERS

Stagecraft 101 Classes:
Taught by Nina Scott-Stoddart and Ed Franko during the first two weeks of the workshop, these classes are designed to introduce you to the basic stagecraft that all actors and singers should know: starting with the basics of working on stage with Ed and leading to how to act for singers with Nina. Through the use of group exercises and libretto work students will get coaching and feedback to help them bring authenticity to their performances.

Vocal Coaching:
Each of our productions has an associated Vocal Coach, with whom you will work for for the first two weeks of the workshop. During the first two days, they will sit in on the music rehearsals, see where you are vocally, and determine where you most need work. Later, you will have two one half hour sessions working on what they deem most necessary to enable you to perform your role to your fullest potential.

Masterclasses:
HSOW offers a variety of masterclasses, from diction and singing to acting and auditioning. You are encouraged to attend all masterclasses, and are guaranteed one masterclass performance slot.

Production:
Provided you come with your role well rehearsed and memorized, you will perform in two performances of your show’s production, and may be asked to sing in our “A Night at the Opera” (public concert) or “Thanks from HSOW” (private concert for fundraisers, sponsors, and donors) concerts.

EXTRAS PACKAGES

Alexander Technique:
Series of nine 45 minute classes: $90
For the sum of $90, you can attend a series of nine structured Alexander Technique classes offered during the first two weeks of our workshop.  These are offered by Tasha Miller of Alexander Technique Atlantic, who is also a singer, and has taught Alexander Technique for over 20 years. Classes will be held at the Dalhousie Arts Centre, and private one-on-one tuition is available should you wish to continue your studies following the first two weeks of classes.

Waltzing 101:
Two one hour classes: $25
Every opera singer should know the basics of dancing, and the waltz is one of the most used in the operatic field. Join Andrew Pelrine as he offers two one hour workshops in this fun and useful form of dance. The cost is only $25 to participate. This will be especially beneficial for those in A Little Night Music.

Vocal Coaching:
2 extra coaching sessions:  $70
4 extra coaching sessions:  $120
8 extra coaching sessions:  $200

You are guaranteed two half hour vocal coachings with your production’s vocal coach as part of your base tuition. However, should you wish to continue with more in-depth vocal coachings, you can purchase one of our extra vocal coaching packages. These come in quantities of two, four, and eight, and each session is one half hour of vocal coaching. When you sign up to for one of these packages, please specify whether you would like to exclusively study with your production’s vocal coach, or whether you would like the chance to study with any of HSOW’s other fine coaches as well

Advanced Vocal or Dramatic Studies:
Book an extra slot with one of our guest masterclass leaders. These have very limited availability, so please book early to avoid disappointment! Their rates will vary.

Lorna MacDonald – voice
Jessica McCormack – voice
Andrew Pickett – voice
Anthony Radford – voice and acting
Nina Scott-Stoddart – acting
Edward Franko – acting
Lucy Hayes-Davis – voice and diction

Should you be accepted into HSOW, you will be sent a form detailing these extras in your acceptance package, and you can choose to opt in or not.  Have any questions?  Email Marja

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Application deadline extended — Friday Nov. 9 auditions in Toronto totally full

Posted by Marja on Nov 6, 2012 in 2013 Workshop, Auditions | 0 comments

WE WILL ACCEPT APPLICATIONS FOR IN PERSON AUDITIONS AS LONG AS WE HAVE AUDITION SPOTS AVAILABLE — at the moment only Toronto on Friday November 9 is totally booked — there are some spaces available at all other auditions.

APPLICATIONS for distance auditions, uploaded digitally, will be accepted until November 30.

The Friday night auditions are booked to the max, but there is still room on Saturday afternoon.  If you’ve applied, and are having trouble scheduling a slot, do contact us and let us know!

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Leaving for audition tour today

Posted by admin on Nov 6, 2012 in 2013 Workshop, Auditions | 0 comments

I’m leaving for the airport for the 2012 Audition Tour for HSOW and YOW.

We’re accepting applications right up until auditions are full this week.  We’re close, but still have some times available.

If you need to make changes or ask questions, please contact Marja Ernst, our Administrator and Producer, at marjae@eastlink.ca. If you have to reach me, personally, I’ll be on my mobile. Text, emails or calls — 902 521 8577  There will be long periods of time when I cannot answer, because I’ll be in a plane, or listening to lovely singers, or driving :)  Text messages might be best!

Can’t wait to see you all!

Nina

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