Summer Voice Intensive

Program Overview: 

• Daily classes and workshops will introduce a variety of skills and strategies for song preparation, developing confidence in solo singing, building vocal technique, and exploring one's personal artistry
• Every day includes a morning movement class, a master class, and a performance workshop, as well as lessons or coachings and practice time
• Students will be supported through voice lessons, coachings and practice time throughout the week
• Carefully selected repertoire will be assigned to each student in advance
• All singers will perform informally on the first day of the program as a kick off and starting point for the work of the week
• Singers will have an opportunity to share performances and receive feedback regularly throughout the week in lessons and coachings, as well as workshops and master classes
• Students will present a final showcase performance of their new repertoire on Friday evening
• Day and boarding options are available for this program.

Our robust one-week program includes:

• Two 45-minute Private Voice Lessons, to focus on technique and artistry through vocal exercises as well as repertoire work
• Two 20-minute Private Vocal Coachings, to focus on language, diction and rehearsing the piece for performance preparation
• Movement for singers
• Masterclasses
• Workshops presented by experts on topics such as
  • Acting the Song/Singing the Story
  • Intro to lyric diction for song and text preparation
  • Anatomy of the Voice and Breath
  • Vocal Health
  • Great Performers and Great Rep
  • Effective Practice Strategies
  • Audition Skills
  • Crossing Over (singing multiple genres and making it work!)

Enrollment Process:

1. Complete and submit application in Slideroom by March 1 with all required attachments (see below).
2. If your application is accepted, you will receive an acceptance email with a link to enroll and submit tuition. Enrollment must be completed within 2 weeks of acceptance or a spot in the program is not guaranteed.
3. Later in the spring, all enrolled students will receive music assignments and a welcome packet with arrival, boarding, staff, and schedule information.
4. If at any time you have questions about the program or the process, please contact Denali Kikuchi, Director of Auxiliary Programs & Rentals at dkikuchi@walnuthillarts.org.

Audition Requirements:

• Two audition songs from memory. You may perform with live piano or an accompaniment track.
  • One classical art song in any language.
  • One musical theater or operetta piece written before 1970, or “Golden Age.”
• A short personal introduction video to help us get to know you a little bit better. Tell us who you are, what you love about singing, and what you hope to gain from attending our program.

Audition Guidelines:

Video:

• You can use a smartphone.
• Please record in landscape mode. Try to frame from above your head to below your hands in the frame (about ⅔ of you). Make sure your face is well lit so we can clearly see your expression.
• Make sure the accompaniment (piano or track) is loud enough to support your singing, but is not louder than your voice. We want to hear YOU.
• You may submit videos of live performances if the repertoire meets the requirements, and as long as there has been no significant change to your voice since the time of recording.
• Sound engineering, edits, or enhancements to the audio or video image, such as reverb, autotune, or any AI processing of any kind are not acceptable. Submissions edited in this way will be rejected, and you will be asked to submit videos that meet our guidelines before fully considering your audition.

Repertoire:

If you are working with a voice instructor, they should be able to help you select appropriate repertoire to best reflect your level, voice and artistry. Below are suggestions:

• Classical art song: from standard 17th and 18th century classical vocal literature, such as songs from the “24 Italian Songs and Arias” anthology. More recent classical repertoire is also encouraged, so long as the repertoire is intended to be sung in a classical style. Songs from underrepresented composers and poets (works by women, Black, Indigenous, Asian, Latine or People of Color, or other underrepresented groups are welcome and encouraged).
• Musical Theater songs: from standard “Golden Age Musicals”, such as works by Rodgers and Hammerstein, Lerner and Loewe, or from operettas by composers such as Victor Herbert, or Gilbert & Sullivan.
• Please do not submit: operatic arias from the 19th century or later (avoid Bellini, Puccini, Verdi, Donizetti, etc.), or pop, rock or other contemporary commercial songs.

Tip:
When recording, focus on one piece at a time. Aim to capture your performance no more than 2 - 4 tries, and choose your most beautiful and overall expressive performance. A tiny "mistake" is not a reason to record for the hundredth time or not to choose that recording, if overall it is your best - please don't wear out your voice to make these recordings! Then, submit your favorite and be proud of your work. Self-taping can be challenging, but you've got this! We want to see your joy and know who you are as a person and as a young artist.

Please contact Head of Voice, Teresa Winner Blume with questions about suitability of your repertoire: tblume@walnuthillarts.org 

Submission Deadline: March 1
Decision Notification: by March 15
Deposit Due: April 1

Apply Now

• Application Fee: $50
• Tuition: $1,500
• Room and Board: $1,200

All meals are included with day and boarding tuition.

Payment Terms

• Payment is due in full (less scholarships, discounts, and FA) at time of enrollment.
  • Payment plans are available. For more information email Denali Kikuchi, Director of Auxiliary Programs & Rentals at dkikuchi@walnuthillarts.org.
• Scholarships & financial aid
  • Need based financial aid may be available. Please email Denali Kikuchi, Director of Auxiliary Programs & Rentals at dkikuchi@walnuthillarts.org, for a financial aid application.
  • For an application fee waiver, please email Denali Kikuchi, Director of Auxiliary Programs & Rentals at dkikuchi@walnuthillarts.org.
  • Merit based scholarships may be available at program faculty discretion. Please reach out to program directors for information on scholarships.
• Withdrawal & refunds
  • Full refunds are only given in the case of withdrawal due to an unforeseen medical or family emergency, at the discretion of program administration.
  • Partial refunds may be available as follows:
    • Upon enrollment, 25% of tuition and room and board is non-refundable
    • From April 1st to May 15th, withdrawal 50% of tuition and room & board fees may be refunded.
    • From May 16th through 2 weeks before the start of the program, 25% of tuition and room & board fees may be refunded.
    • Tuition and room & board fees are not refundable within 2 weeks of program start date.

Additional faculty to be announced soon!