Summer Programs Florence, Italy

Vocal Performance, Jazz and New Music & Dance in Florence, the heart of the Renaissance, is an ideal place to learn about the past and future of modern Europe. At NYU in Florence, you'll experience a different culture, acquire or improve your Italian language skills, and explore music at its source: NYU's Florence, La Pietra Study Abroad site.

New York University in Florence at La Pietra is situated on a hillside just north of the city center. Sir Harold Acton, a distinguished patron of the arts, bequeathed the estate to the University. Villa La Pietra, a 15th-Century, 60-room country home, is surrounded by several acres of historically significant gardens, rolling hills, and olive groves. There are four other villas at La Pietra: Ulivi, Natalia, Colletta, and Sassetti. Students in Florence can explore the illustrious legacy of this extraordinary place.

Classical and Music Theatre Vocal Workshop, June 2-15 2008, Taking the Plunge – The Classical Singer Explores Music Theatre

In the past several years the Vocal Performance Program at NYU Steinhardt has established itself as a national leader in the study of classical voice technique as a foundation for approaching music theatre repertoire. The graduate and undergraduate degree program attract students who want to acquire the necessary skills for music theatre performance without sacrificing their classical technique or abandoning the classical repertoire to which they still have strong commitment.

The La Pietra summer conference offers a unique opportunity for classical singers to begin to explore and experience the specific performance skills associated with music theatre repertoire and the music theatre industry as a whole.

Private instruction, group instruction, and master classes will address vocal technique as well as the focus on lyric and language that is standard in music theatre repertoire. Conference participants will be introduced to the process of analyzing and acting solo material, duets, ensembles, and scenes in both sung and spoken word. These skills will be further explored in staged songs and scenes that will be presented in a final performance on the outdoor stage of La Pietra’s teatrino – one of the loveliest features of the villa’s famed Renaissance gardens.
Classes, coachings, and lessons will be taught by NYU Steinhardt faculty from the Program in Vocal Performance – all three with a strong teaching and performance background in both opera and music theatre.

Faculty bios are available on the website:
William Wesbrooks, director and acting teacher
Dianna Heldman, voice and acting teacher
Michael Ricciardone, voice teacher, coach, and musical director

Participants will arrive at La Pietra on Monday, June 2 in time for a brief orientation, a good meal, and some time to rest. Classes will begin on Tuesday morning. The schedule will vary daily and will allow time for visiting museums, seeing the sights, and enjoying the splendors that Florence has to offer.

Cost:

Registration fee: $1,350

Student room and board fees

Vocal Performance students will stay 13 nights at La Pietra.
Students pay for their own meals. If a meal plan is offered at La Pietra, students can opt to take part.
Housing costs at La Pietra for students are as follows on a per night per person basis:
Single: $69
Double: $60
Triple: $53
Quad: $50
Multi: $47

How to Apply

Please send application to:

William Wesbrooks, Director
Program in Vocal Performance
Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions
35 West Fourth Street, Suite 777
New York, NY 10012

The following materials should be included:

General Application
Brief resume of educational and performance background
A VHS video or DVD recording of 2 contrasting songs – one classical and one music theatre.
Deadline: March 31, 2008 (rolling admission on a space available basis after this deadline)

Jazz Institute, June 16-28, 2008

Study with headliners, NYU Jazz Faculty and Director of NYU Jazz Studies, Dave Schroeder. Study the art of improvisation with world-renowned NYU artist/faculty in small groups and big band settings. Instrumentalists at an advanced level are encouraged to apply.

Week 1: June 16-22. Session and perform with NYU artist/faculty saxophonist George Garzone and pianist Jean Michel Pilc in small group settings. Jazz students during week #1 will stay 6 or 7 nights at La Pietra. (Those who are staying on for the second week will stay over the 7th night on Sunday June 22nd.)

Week 2: June 23-28. Rehearse and perform with the NYU Jazz Orchestra (18 piece big band) conducted by Rich Shemaria, featuring special guest artists at a variety of festival performances around Italy. Jazz students during week #2 will stay 3 nights at La Pietra and 3 nights in Terni. The cost of rooms in Terni is approximately $40 per night per person.

Cost

Registration fee for Week 1: $650

Registration fee for Week 2: $650

Student room and board fees

Students pay for their own meals. If a meal plan is offered at La Pietra, students can opt to take part.
Housing costs at La Pietra for students are as follows on a per night per person basis:
Single: $69
Double: $60
Triple: $53
Quad: $50
Multi: $47

How to Apply

Please send application to:

David Schroeder, Director
Program in Jazz Studies
Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions
35 West Fourth Street, Suite 777
New York, NY 10012

The following materials should be included:

*General Application

This Jazz Institute was made possible due to the generous support of Jeffrey S. Gould

NYU Music and Dance program in Italy, June 30 through July 18, 2008

Contact Esther Lamneck at 212 998 5441 or esther.lamneck@nyu.edu for more information.

Master classes, chamber and new music performance, experimental dance and choreography Realize performances in Florence during the internationally renowned Maggio Musicale Festival. Earn 6 graduate credits in Italy. The program is open to both NYU and non NYU graduate and upper-level undergraduate students. Students are invited to audition for participation in the program. The program offers performance courses and seminars.

Deadline: April 7, 2008. Applications accepted after the deadline on a space available basis.
Costs include:
Tuition: UG credits $980 per point, Grad $1097 per point, plus registration fees
Housing: approximately $1500
Activity fees: approximately $250

Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions - 35 W. 4th Street, Suite 777 - New York, NY 10012 - (212) 998-5424