Festival d'art vocal de Montréal
July 2 to 27, 2025

credits: Tam Lan Truong

Welcome to the Canadian Vocal Arts Institute

The Canadian Vocal Arts Institute (ICAV) offers a high caliber training for the best emerging Canadian and international singers every summer in Montreal (Canada). At the same time, it presents a diverse and captivating program as part of the Montreal Vocal Arts Festival happening at the same time.

ICAV also trains pianists, conductors & stage directors.

2025 ACADEMY

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MISSION

The Canadian Vocal Arts Institute (ICAV) is a non-profit organization with a dual mandate: to provide high-calibre training to the best emerging Canadian and international singers and to present to the public a varied and captivating program (opera, concerts, masterclasses), presented by the Montreal Vocal Arts Festival every summer.

VISION

The ICAV program is designed for singers, pianists and conductors of all levels, and is tailored to the individual needs of each participant. Young artists selected for the ICAV will gain valuable stage experience, perfect their audition techniques and deepen their knowledge of the practical aspects of a career in opera.

During the three-four week program, they will have the opportunity to attend numerous private singing lessons, coaching sessions and seminars focusing on vocal technique, career preparation, acting and career management and promotion. Each will have the opportunity to perform in one of the many concerts, in a public masterclass or in an opera production. Our young artists will leave the program with the necessary promotional material: a demo video recording, a professional photo, a revised CV and multilingual biographies.

HISTORY

Entering our 21st year, ICAV is an essential training center for emerging Canadian and international singers, pianists and conductors. Founded in 2004, ICAV was born of the keen interest of Faigie Zimmerman, Denise Massé and the determination of Roni Blanshay and Margot Provencher to help position Montreal on the international vocal arts scene. ICAV's first program was launched in June 2004, with support from the International Vocal Arts Institute, the Fondation Jacqueline Desmarais pour les jeunes chanteurs d'opéra canadiens, the Université de Montréal's Faculty of Music and the Société musicale André-Turp. Led for 16 years by the tandem of Paul Nadler and Joan Dornemann, ICAV recently welcomed renowned tenor Richard Margison as Artistic Director. Their presence has enabled ICAV to invite such international stars as Mignon Dunn, Deborah Birnbaum, John Norris, Gerald Martin Moore, Michel Sénéchal, Håkan Hagegård, Neil Shicoff, Diana Soviero and others.

In 2023, soprano Nicole Car and Quebec star baritone Étienne Dupuis became the new co-Artistic Directors of the Canadian Vocal Arts Institute. Supported by Executive Director Marc-Antoine d'Aragon, together they have propelled the 2023 and 2024 seasons to resounding success! They have assembled a cohort of seasoned teachers and coaches, all of whom had contributed to their own success. Étienne continues his work in 2025 as the leader of our Artistic Committee alongside Nathalie Deschamps, has our artistic coordinator during the Academy.

We have brought a new vision to give our participants all the tools they need to enter operatic careers. Since 2023, we have also been delighted to welcome young aspiring pianists, conductors and stage directors interested in opera. We have also started a new partnership with the Orchestre de la Francophonie giving our young artists wonderful opportunities to perform with orchestra.