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The Canadian Vocal Arts Institute (CVAI) is a program of three-week intensive training for emerging international singers, in residence at the Faculty of Music of the University of Montreal.
The program for opera singers includes voice lessons and private coaching, focusing on
vocal technique, musical interpretation, career preparation, acting and staging on stage,
physical training and speech. All our students have the opportunity to sing in masterclasses,
in our opera production or in our many concerts.
We also have a program for conductors, stage directors and pianists.
This year, the program will be held from July 17 to August 11, 2024,
and will present Die Fledermaus as well asThe Four-Note Opera.
Applications for the 2024 program are closed.
The program
Masterclasses
Work on your repertoire under the guidance of our guest masters in front of your peers and a public.
Portfolio
Recording of a demo, a video, of casting photos, but also preparation of CVs, biographies and a website.
Private & Group Coaching
Polish your repertoire down to the finest detail with coaches from the greatest opera companies.
Career Management
Learn more about the inner workings and secrets of the opera world.
Acting
Improve your theatrical skills with our dramatic coaches.
Bodily Awareness
Connect your body to your voice through our various body awareness activities.
Our new exclusive event
We are launching this year our new public and exclusive event called "The Audition", broadcasted live and internationally, to help you kickstart your career. We offer you the opportunity to perform in front of a panel of opera specialists who will give you their feedback live from all around the world.
Our new program for young pianists and conductors
ICAV is pleased to introduce a new program for aspiring conductors and pianists wishing to improve their skills in opera. Conductors will be accompanied daily by our team of conductors: Julien Proulx, Teresa Rodriguez, Victorien Vanoosten, Paul Nadler, Tom Jaber and Alain Trudel, to perfect their skills in opera conducting.
The pianists selected to participate in the ICAV program will accompany singers on a daily basis during voice lessons, master class coaching and all concerts. They will also have the opportunity to have private coaching on a daily basis with our many coaches: Joan Donnermann, Tom Jaber, Anthony Legge, Francis Perron, Laurent Philippe, Teresa Rodriguez, Marie-Ève Scarfone.
Opportunities
Each year, CVAI students have many opportunities to put their skills to the test by presenting the results of their extensive practice in front of an audience or their colleagues.
1
Audition preparation workshop
During the course of the program, students are regularly asked to perform a piece as in an audition setting. This begins on the first day when they are invited to each sing an aria of their choice.
2
Recital performance
We organize many concerts during the three weeks of the program, giving everyone the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and challenge themselves.
3
Opera and great operatic scenes
An opera or large opera scenes are usually performed at the end of the workshop. Students are therefore expected to prepare an opera role.
4
Masterclasses
Students have the opportunity to learn from the greatest masters who share their expertise in front of an audience.
5
Exclusive workshops
Our students will have the amazing opportunity to learn from two of the greatest masters in their respective fields:
The great comedian Benoît Brière will teach a workshop on the art of mask acting like in the Commedia dell'Arte.
The brillant Claude Webster will teach a workshop on neurolinguistic programming to deconstruct anxiety inducing patterns and be fully prepared for a performance.
6
Portfolio
During the program, students are mentored in the making of a fully fledged portfolio, with tools such as assistance in formatting an artist's resume, taking casting photos, and recording professional quality demos which will allow them to access professional opportunities.
7
Preparing for a career
In addition to learning from great professionals in the opera world recognized internationally, students will have the opportunity to gain exposure at our new event: The Auditions.