PROFESSIONAL GROWTH
Click on the tabs below to advance your career by searching Contests & Awards, Schools, Festivals, Camps, Service Organizations, and our list of Services and Products, Scholarships and Grants and Events and Conferences.
And be sure to browse the excellent career advice offered by legendary Artist Manager Edna Landau in her Ask Edna blog and the entertainment law experts in their Law and Disorder blog.
US/Canada Arts Administration Degree Programs
Music Schools & Departments
Summer Music Camps & Special Programs
Services & Professional Music Orgs (non-profit)
Performing Arts Industry Events and Conferences
AskEdna: Career Advice blog
Scholarships and Grants
Send your questions to Edna Landau at AskEdna@MusicalAmerica.com and she’ll answer through Ask Edna. Click the links below to read Edna’s recent columns on the critical aspects of launching and managing and professional music career.
Communicating with Your Audience
During Edna’s 23 years as managing director of IMG Artists, she personally looked after the career of violinist, Itzhak Perlman and launched the careers of musicians such as pianists Evgeny Kissin and Lang Lang, violinist Hilary Hahn, and conductors Franz Welser-Mõst and Alan Gilbert.
Edna believes young musicians can grow their own careers, with “hard work, blind faith, passion for the cause, incessant networking and a vision that refuse[s] to be tarnished by naysayers.”
All material found in the Press Releases section is provided by parties entirely independent of Musical America, which is not responsible for content.
Press Releases
New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera Announces New Logistics for International Vocal Competition. Early BIrd Deadline Nears: July 31, 2018.
Summary: Artistic Director Lucine Amara announces updated logistics for the New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera's 30th Annual International Vocal Competition. The early bird registration deadline is July 31, 2018.
PRESS RELEASE
Media Contact: Luhrs & Associates, press[at]luhrsandassociates.com
(Fort Lee, New Jersey; July 16, 2018) – The New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera announces a new location and audition dates for the organization's 30th Annual International Vocal Competition. Artistic Director Lucine Amara reminds vocalists of all ages and vocal fachs worldwide to apply to the vocal competition and take advantage of the early bird registration deadline of July 31, 2018. The final application deadline is October 18, 2018.
"The New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera's 30th Annual International Vocal Competition is open to singers of all ages and vocal fachs. Applicants may sing in any category -- verismo or another," said Amara, who performed at the Metropolitan Opera for 41 years with opera houses and symphonies throughout the world.
Auditions
The preliminary auditions take place at Shetler Studios, located at 244 West 54th Street in New York City, New York in the United States of America. In 2018, the preliminary audition dates and times are now November 1, 9, and 16 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and November 3 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The final auditions are held on December 11 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. A professional accompanist is provided to all vocalists participating in the preliminary and final auditions. Applicants may also bring their own accompanist.
At the preliminary auditions, a luminary panel of judges officiates, including Metropolitan Opera legend Lucine Amara; Maestra Lucy Arner, Music Director/Principal Conductor, New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera; and Evelyn La Quaif, General Manager and Stage Director, New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera. Upon request, the judges' comments are sent to all the preliminary participants and finalists.
Free Master Class
A free master class is offered to all applicants accepted to participate in the preliminary auditions. Finalists selected to perform in the vocal competition may attend three four-hour free master classes. During the master classes led by Amara and La Quaif, artists learn deportment, language, style and presentation at auditions.
The free master class for applicants accepted to the preliminary auditions is offered on November 19 and November 21, 2018 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. These classes take place at Yeoryia Studios in the Otello Room on the fifth floor, located at 2067 Broadway, between 71st and 72nd Streets, in New York, New York.
Finalists are given feedback; extensive free coaching on language, style and presentation; and the opportunity to perform in Verismo Opera's fully staged upcoming productions. Winners receive cash awards totaling $3,500 ($2,000 first prize, $1,000 second prize and $500 third prize).
Application
All applicants are required to send an application, a resume, a bio, an MP3 file or a CD containing an aria recording, an 8 x 10 black and white photo, and the application fee. An application may be downloaded . Applicants will be notified if they are accepted into the competition.
The early bird registration fee, $55, is in effect through July 31, 2018, changing to $75 on August 1, 2018. Payment may be made securely online at http://verismopera.org/donate-2/ located at the bottom of the page or by check made out and sent to Verismo Opera, P.O. Box 3024, Fort Lee, New Jersey 07024-9024.
Verismo Opera, the Bergen Performing Arts Center's (bergenPAC) house opera company, is recognized for providing opportunities for artists to learn and perform in a professional environment with a live orchestra. Vocal competition winners and finalists have performed in several of Verismo Opera's productions. The 28th and 29th Annual International Vocal Competition's first prize winners, sopranos Zhanna Alkhazova and Yulan Piao, performed in Verismo Opera's debut of Turandot.
For further information or to schedule an audition appointment, contact info@verismopera.org or call (201) 886-0561.
About New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera
For 29 years, the New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera, a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization headquartered in Fort Lee, New Jersey, has been an integral part of the region’s classical music culture. Led by Metropolitan Opera luminary Lucine Amara, Verismo Opera is the Bergen Performing Arts Center's house opera company. Verismo Opera provides performing opportunities for artists through semi-annual productions and concerts, directs an international vocal competition drawing artists worldwide, and organizes opera workshops and master classes.
For information, visit Verismo Opera's web site, www.verismopera.org; follow the company on Facebook, http://bit.ly/9JXTP8, or Twitter @NJVerismoOpera; or call (201) 886-0561.
###