Program Director

Dianna Heldman, 35 West Fourth Street, Suite 1077, (212) 998-5154, E-mail: dh24@nyu.edu

Program Overview

The Vocal Performance Program in Music and Performing Arts Professions offers a three-week intensive workshop during which students explore the techniques of classical vocal performance from the perspective of the singing actor. The workshop employs both group and individual instruction, and activities include yoga for singers, stage deportment and dance classes, staging rehearsals, lyric diction and song analysis classes, private song coachings, voice lessons and a series of master classes on subjects related to the field.  The workshop culminates with presentation in which students perform the material they have been working on in class.

Evening activities for the workshop participants include concerts and other cultural events around New York. The program fee covers the cost of those events. The only money that students need to bring to the workshop is extra spending money for incidentals.

Eligibility to Apply

In addition to students already enrolled at NYU, the workshop is open to students from other universities and those who have just graduated from high school or completed their junior year. In order to participate in the summer music theatre workshop you must have completed your junior year of high school AND you must have turned 16-years-old by the time the workshop starts. There are no exceptions to these rules.

How to Apply

You must first submit a general online summer application. Then you will be sent from the application to Acceptd where you will (a) enter your contact information, (b) upload your audition material, and (c) pay a $50 application fee.

Rather than a single long video, we would like three separate clips:  the introduction, the first song, and the second song.  It’s easier for us to review and easier for you to shoot.  We will not be influenced by the professional quality of the video.  Please do not worry about any elaborate lighting or studio conditions.  Below are the requirements and suggestions for your material.

Introduction:  Please say your name clearly, the date, the city you are from, and the pieces that you are going to do.

Two songs:  Your two selections should be complete and contrasting songs. Each selection should be no longer than four minutes. One of your songs must be in English and the other in a foreign language – Italian, German, or French. Piano must accompany you (no a capella singing). Please make sure your voice can be heard above the accompaniment – try different distances from the sound source until you find the right “balance” between piano and voice.

Resume:  Your resume should reflect your experience as a performing artist and may include experience and training in solo voice, choral, theater, musical instruments and dance. Please include foreign language study and any special skills that you would like to share with us.

Headshot or recent photograph:  Again we are not looking for a professional quality photograph.  If you have a headshot, that is fine.  If not, a recent snapshot will suffice.

After uploading the pre-screening submission, you will immediately be notified that we have received your materials.  After those materials have been reviewed you will be contacted with more information.

Please note that there is no financial aid offered in conjunction with this workshop. 

Workshop Information 2013

Application Deadline: June 1, 2013
If you are accepted for the workshop you will receive instructions about how to proceed with the registration process through the University. Applications are accepted after the deadline on a space available basis.

Dates/Times: The workshop will begin on Monday morning, July 22 at 10:00 AM and will end on Thursday evening, August 8. For visiting students there will be an orientation session on the evening of July 21. In order to participate in the workshop you must be available Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Housing

Students stay in private or shared rooms with one or two roommates in an NYU residence hall. The residence hall is located near Washington Square Park, a short walk from campus buildings. Campus meal plans range from 8 to 12 meals per week and include a card with $30 of Dining Dollars. Linens are provided; students should bring their own towels. The residence hall building has air conditioning and Internet access with an Ethernet cable.  Students staying in NYU housing should move in on Sunday, July 21 and attend a required orientation session that evening. They must move out on Friday, August 9.

NYU Public Safety Services officers are on duty 24 hours a day. Specially assigned Resident Assistants (R.A.) monitor discipline, including enforcing a curfew for students in this program, and help students as they adjust to living away from home. Because our standards for achievement are high, we accept highly motivated students who will enjoy the classes as well as the cultural activities. It is, therefore, important to know that failure to comply with regulations will be grounds for immediate dismissal from the program. Parents and/or guardians will be contacted as soon as any unsatisfactory behavior is recognized. Click here for more specific housing information.

Private Lessons: The workshop fee includes four (4) private voice lessons with one of our master teachers and four (4) private vocal coaching sessions. Our voice faculty is made up of professional singers who maintain private teaching studios while they pursue their performance careers.

If you have any questions please contact Professor Heldman at dh24@nyu.edu

Personal Expenses

A great benefit of the Classical Voice Intensive workshop is the chance for students to experience life in New York City and Greenwich Village. The cost of living in the city is high. The activities fee students pay for the workshop covers only the primary cost of participating in the evening and weekend events and does not cover personal expenses. Students should budget for enough money to last the entire time they will be participating in the workshop. Students are encouraged to discuss expenses and decide upon a budget with their families prior to arriving in New York City.

***PLEASE NOTE: Participants under the age of 18 will be required to attend activities on practically every evening during the program. Activities will include trips to the theatre, opera, concerts and visits to important sites throughout New York City.***

Photos: Bethany Fagan