Intensives

Activating the Musical Theatre Audition

10-10:50AM, Hockett Family Recital Hall

Presented by Gavin Mayer

This workshop will focus on preparing a cut from a musical theatre piece for a professional theatre audition. 

Students should come prepared with a 16-32 bar cut of a song from the musical theatre. Some students will have the opportunity to work their piece in front of the group.

The Changing Voice - Middle School and High School Choirs

11-11:50AM, JJWCM 1207

Presented by Sean Linfors

Choral pedagogy, repertoire, voicing, and strategies for middle school voices!

Noon Meditation

12-12:50PM, Muller Chapel

Self-Compassion for Musicians

1-1:50PM, JJWCM 3302

Presented by Mary Ann Erickson

Performers are constantly evaluating themselves. This is necessary for developing our skills, but can often feed into excessive self-judgment. Mindfulness meditation offers techniques for practicing self-compassion that can offer relief from the inner critic and healthier ways of motivating ourselves. In this workshop, we will talk about evidence for the benefits of self-compassion as well as practice some self-compassion techniques.

Improvisation: The Path to Freedom - Incorporating Spontaneity Into Your Life and Art

4-4:50PM, JJWCM 1207

Presented by Catherine Weidner

Learning to play with freedom can open up the breath, the imagination and the heart.  Using techniques and exercises developed by visionary teachers H. Wesley Balk and Viola Spolin, participants will learn to equate mistakes with joy and a spirit of discovery. The work is primarily physical, and often non-verbal.  Participants will refine their ability to respond to impulses without judgement, improve listening skills, and increase awareness of self and others.

Feldenkrais and Singing

5-5:50PM, Beeler

Presented by Carol McAmis

The Feldenkrais Method® of movement education is an outstanding tool for building the self-observation and coordination skills singers need for Building excellent technique and charismatic performances. This workshop will provide an experience of the Awareness Through Movement® group lessons of the Method plus a breif overview of how the Method is used by singers, voice teachers and choral conductors at all levels of teaching and performing. Whether you are new to this work or have experienced it in the past, there is always more to learn!

Wear comfortable workout clothes. No skirts. Bring a large beach towel or a blanket as the lesson will be done on the floor. 

If anyone has special health concerns, please contact Professor McAmis in advance at mcamis@ithaca.edu. 

Booking Agents - What We Do and When You Need One

9:50-10:40M, JJWCM 3302

Presented by Lara Supan

Ever wonder what a booking agent does? Ever think to yourself, when would it make sense for me to partner with one? Lara Supan (IC class of 2007) started out as a Musical Theatre major, switched to Vocal Jazz, sang in church choirs and an Americana band, founded an online crowdsourcing platform for touring artists and then ended up as Vice President of a booking agency. Being a booking agent was never a part of my plan, and I had no idea what the skill set was to be a good one. Turns out, I had it! In addition, I find that so many performing artists don't understand what the pros and cons of having a booking agent as part of a team are. I will talk a bit about what my day-to-day looks like, what the lifestyle entails and also what we're good for (and what we're not good for) for developing artists. There will be plenty of time at the end for questions!

Taking Care of Your Instrument: Injury Prevention and Management for Vocalists

10:50-11:40AM, Presser

Presented by Michael Costello

Musicians commonly experience painful neuro-musculo-skeletal conditions that impact performance. In this workshop, participants will learn principles and strategies to prevent and manage back, neck, and facial pain frequently reported by vocalists. Identify factors that contribute to performance-related pain. Practice exercises to build postural resilience and self-treatment techniques to your keep your instrument, your body, in tune. 

Come prepared to move. Dress in comfortable clothes. 

Tapping into your Spirit with "Body and Soul"

11:50AM-1:10PM, Beeler

Presented by Kim Nazarian

In this 2 day class we will be doing exercises, reciting readings, and doing meditations that allow us to take an internal journey. The purpose of this work is to drop inside ourselves, so we can explore and discover new levels of expression, new depths of freedom, and elements of ourselves that are hard to reach by traditional means. With each exercise, reading or meditation we will be learning a section of Body and Soul by ear, with a little guidance from the keyboard.........thus, DIRECT APPLICATION of your own personal spirit informing your digestion of Body and Soul. I had a teacher who told me that every time you sing, you should release a piece of your soul. I think it feels good to sing from your gut.........I'd like to help you all get to the bottom of your spiritual well; and allow your beautiful souls to spring forth like a musical geyser. Let's learn Body and Soul together from the inside out!! Vulnerability at its best...........all welcome. 

Your Voice Story 

1:10-2:00PM, JJWCM 1207

Presented by Ivy Walz

In this workshop students will be led through creative exercises to help them tell the story of how they became a singer, why they sing, and what they hope for. We will work to connect with the voice within to promote connection and intrinsic motivation.  

Students should bring with them a journal, a keepsake, and a blanket. They should dress in clothing that allows them to move freely or lay on the floor. 

Taking Care of Your Instrument: Injury Prevention and Management for Vocalists.

4-4:50PM, DILL 4

Presented by Michael Costello

Musicians commonly experience painful neuro-musculo-skeletal conditions that impact performance. In this workshop, participants will learn principles and strategies to prevent and manage back, neck, and facial pain frequently reported by vocalists. Identify factors that contribute to performance-related pain. Practice exercises to build postural resilience and self-treatment techniques to your keep your instrument, your body, in tune. 

Come prepared to move. Dress in comfortable clothes. 

The Vocal Pharmacy: Sing Yourself Well

5:05-5:55PM, Beeler

Presented by Carol McAmis

Humming, singing, self-created sounds-the human voice is a powerful balancing and healing force. Private rather than public singing opens the door for many healing process in the body and in the mind in ways that are simple yet profound. Did you know that 5 minutes of humming reduces stress, increases relaxation, enhances sleep, and boosts your immune system? You will leave this workshop with many easy Treat-ments for your personal Vocal Pharmacy. 

Please email Professor McAmis if you have specific health concerns at mcamis@ithaca.edu.

Power Yoga

6:15-7PM, Fitness Center Aerobics Room

Presented by Sean Riley

Meet Liguori on the mat for a yoga class that will not only improve your strength and flexibility, but will allow you to take a step away from the rest of the world, de-stress, and focus your intentions on being present in the moment and listening to your own body. This class is tailored to each individual body, incorporating therapeutic postural alignment techniques to allow you to move and bring space to your body in the way it most needs it, while challenging your body to move deeply with muscle engagement throughout each pose. Channel your inner strength and balance, and connect your mind and body as you move mindfully through this flow class appropriate for all levels.

Using Brain Gym to enhance your singing

10-10:50AM, Nabenhauer

Presented by Deborah Montgomery

This workshop will focus on Brain Gym exercises that can improve concentration, memorization and overall cognitive awareness when engaging in new learning. Brain Gym is based on 26 exercises that help bring balance to brain function and positive neural patterning.

French Diction

11-11:50AM, Beeler

Presented by Patrice Pastore

NOON MEDITATION

12-12:50PM, Muller Chapel

Functional diction (Italian)

3-3:50PM, Zoom

Presented by Federico Sacchi

A thorough knowledge of Italian language, especially of its phonemes and prosody, is key to singing opera: it helps in overcoming technical obstacles and guides in expressive interpretation. Every singer can relate to this concept, without having to upset the foundations of their technique. 

Participants should come prepared with arias of their choice from operatic Italian repertoire.

Booking Agents - What We Do and When You Need One

5-5:50PM, JJWCM 3302

Presented by Lara Supan

Ever wonder what a booking agent does? Ever think to yourself, when would it make sense for me to partner with one? Lara Supan (IC class of 2007) started out as a Musical Theatre major, switched to Vocal Jazz, sang in church choirs and an Americana band, founded an online crowdsourcing platform for touring artists and then ended up as Vice President of a booking agency. Being a booking agent was never a part of my plan, and I had no idea what the skill set was to be a good one. Turns out, I had it! In addition, I find that so many performing artists don't understand what the pros and cons of having a booking agent as part of a team are. I will talk a bit about what my day-to-day looks like, what the lifestyle entails and also what we're good for (and what we're not good for) for developing artists. There will be plenty of time at the end for questions! 

restorative yoga

6-7PM, Fitness Center Aerobics Room

Presented by Sean Riley

Feeling stressed out, restless, busy? Take the time to refresh and renew your body and mind with this restorative yoga class. You will use props such as blankets and bolsters to fully support your body in a variety of positions including light twists and gentle bends. The deep and complete sustained relaxation into each pose will help to relieve tension as you find a quality of calmness in your body and mind. You will always walk away from this class with a lightness to carry with you for the rest of your day.

Do You Really Know How to Practice? Effective Tips for Skill-Based Learning Informed by Cognitive Science

9:50-10:40AM, JJWCM 3302

Presented by Mary Holzhauer

Students in the SMTD are known for having busy, overbooked schedules. Practice time is at a minimum, but progress is expected, so how do you maximize your time to get the best results? This workshop will give you effective practice tips based on well-researched science, help you get the most out of your practice sessions, and make long-term progress!

Activating the Musical Theatre Audition

10:50-11:40AM, Nabenhauer

Presented by Gavin Mayer

This workshop will focus on preparing a cut from a musical theatre piece for a professional theatre audition. 

Students should come prepared with a 16-32 bar cut of a song from the musical theatre. Some students will have the opportunity to work their piece in front of the group.

The Four Singers in Your Brain and How to Get Them to Make Beautiful Music Together

12-12:50PM, Beeler

Presented by Carol McAmis

Do you feel like there's a noisy crowd of voices in your head who are all wanting your attention when you perform or practice? Getting acquainted with new neuroscience that shows that both hemispheres of the brain have thinking and emotional tissue and that the left and right hemispheres are exact opposites of each other opens up a super exciting way to understand and work with performance anxiety and overthinking. Once we understand who is hogging the spotlight and learn how to use a B.R.A.I.N. Huddle to get all four singers doing their assigned tasks, charismatic and confident performances are the new normal! 

Bring a pencil or pen and paper and a clipboard or other solid writing surface, and be prepared with a simple song you could sing without accompaniment. 

Your Voice Story 

1:10-2PM, Nabenhauer

Presented by Ivy Walz

In this workshop students will be led through creative exercises to help them tell the story of how they became a singer, why they sing, and what they hope for. We will work to connect with the voice within to promote connection and intrinsic motivation.  

Students should bring with them a journal, a keepsake, and a blanket. They should dress in clothing that allows them to move freely or lay on the floor. 

Mental Health First Aid

4-4:50PM, Hockett Green Room

Presented by Dawn Pierce

Certified Mental Health First Aid responder, dawn pierce offers an introduction to MHFA, the CPR for mental health. Presentation of basic skills to identify, understand, and respond with resources for continued education and growth

Auditioning for a career in Europe

5:05-5:55PM, Beeler

Presented by Bruce Earnest

We will focus on the audition process in Germany and Austria with a focus on cultural and market differences. This workshop can also be used as an audition for the International Performing Arts Institute Germany 2023. 

The format will be conducted like a masterclass.

Participants should bring:

1 Aria or art-song to present
2. One additional song
3. Repertoire List
4. Photo
5. Headshot

Peaceful performance (a side of mental health and singing)

10-10:50AM, Hockett Green Room

Presented by Dann Coakwell

This workshop/masterclass aims to explore techniques to calm the mind and visualize our performances, in order to set us up for success.

Performers should be prepared to perform a song of any style. Audience members should just bring an open mind.

Acting the Song

11-11:50AM, JJWCM 1207

Presented by Cynthia Henderson

In this workshop you will be introduced to basic techniques in the exploration of songs as scenes and monologues. This 50-minute workshop is designed to help you find an in road towards being able to deliver the story arc of a song believably.

Please have a song you are currently working. It would be best if the song is in English.

Careers in German Speaking Houses

11-11:50AM, Hockett Green Room

Presented by Bruce Earnest

This workshop with focus on removing the mystery of a career in Germany and German speaking countries. We will discuss real opportunities, resumes, photos, auditions, resident visa information and the great and challenging parts of working in opera and musical theatre in Germany.  Dr. Bruce Earnest is the Founder of IPAI and started the summer program 16 years ago to provide training, networking and life opportunities for a career in Europe. He sang in with several companies and worked as a teacher and casting consultant for 5 years in Munich, Essen, Hamburg, Amsterdam and Innsbruck.

Please bring a copy of your resume, headshot, and repertoire list.

Noon Meditation

12-12:50PM, Muller Chapel

Everyday Mindfulness

1-1:50PM, Hockett Family Recital Hall

Presented by Diana Dimitrova

This is an interactive workshop which will introduce you to several mindfulness techniques. We will also take a close and compassionate look into the ways we can add more mindfulness into our daily lives and what stands in our way and keeps us from experiencing calmness and presence. 

Music and Movement

3-3:50PM, Presser

Presented by Dawn Pierce

A guided exploration of using your body to express and connect to music through movement, space, and form.

Improvisation: The Path to Freedom - Incorporating Spontaneity Into Your Life and Art

4-4:50PM, Ford Hall

Presented by Catherine Weidner

Learning to play with freedom can open up the breath, the imagination and the heart.  Using techniques and exercises developed by visionary teachers H. Wesley Balk and Viola Spolin, participants will learn to equate mistakes with joy and a spirit of discovery. The work is primarily physical, and often non-verbal.  Participants will refine their ability to respond to impulses without judgement, improve listening skills, and increase awareness of self and others.

The Second Circle

5-5:50PM, Ford Hall

Presented by Michael Samuel Kaplan

Based on the work of famed voice teacher Patsy Rodenburg, this workshop will serve as an introduction to the Second Circle – a way of bringing oneself quickly and effortlessly into presence of mind, body, and spirit. The work we explore together may serve not only as a foundation for more effective communication in life, but also whole-body support of the voice, and impulsivity in performance.

It is recommended for participants to come prepared with a spoken monologue.

Lawrence Brownlee Masterclass

7PM, Hockett Family Recital Hall

Presented as part of the Manley and Doriseve Thaler Vocal Concert series.

For more information on this event, please click here.