Vocal Arts &
Opera Theatre School
June 13-25, 2005

Classes in Diction and Vocal Interpretation, Opera Repertoire, Recital Presence, Body Movement, Individual Voice Lessons.

Faculty:

Johanna Meier - Soprano and international star of the opera stage.Ms. Meier has been a leading soprano with the Metropolitan Opera and countless major opera houses and orchestras throughout the world. She is well known as the first American to sing the role of Isolde in the Bayreuth Festival, which was filmed for Unitel/Philips and has appeared twice on PBS Great Performances. Ms. Meier is a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music and made her sensational debut with the New York City Opera in 1965.

John Stewart - Mr. Stewart carries degrees in Composition and Theory from Yale and Brown Universities. He is currently the Director of Vocal Activities at Washington University in St. Louis where he conducts the Opera and Chamber Choir performances, as well as teaching voice. As a leading tenor, Mr. Stewart has appeared with many companies both in Europe and America, including the metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, Frankfort, Germany, and Santa Fe. He has also been a guest soloist with the New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Cleveland Symphony, among others. 

Bruce Donnell - A Stage Director at the Metropolitan Opera since 1975, Bruce Donnell studied in Germany before joining the staff of the San Francisco Opera's Merola Program in 1966.  As a young assistant while living abroad, he worked on productions at the Arena in Verona, Italy, the Salzburg Festival, Palermo and Teheran, among many others.  He returned to the States and after joining the Metropolitan Opera, staged the nationally televised "Rosenkavalier" that opened the 1982-83 season.  He has worked on numerous television productions and has received two Emmy awards.  His productions have been seen throughout the United States and South America, and he has worked with virtually every major operatic star of the last generation.  

Janeen Larsen - Dr. Janeen Larsen has performed for 35 years as a professional pianist and accompanist for soloists and choirs. She received her master of music in piano performance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a Ph.D. in music education from the University of Florida. Dr. Larsen has been at BHSU since 1978 and now serves as the chair of the Department of Fine and Applied Arts. 

Steve Parker - Mr. Steve Parker is in his 21st year as director of Choral Activities and member of the Voice Department at Black Hills State University in Spearfish, S.D. Mr. Parker is in demand as an honor choir conductor and has served as conductor/clinician/adjudicator. He is very active in the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) and was awarded the Lifetime Service Award by South Dakota's ACDA in 1977. Mr. Parker has taken his Concert Choir and Chamber Singers on five European tours.

Tony Bellomy - Mr. Bellomy, a native of Illinois, holds a master of Music degree in Vocal Accompanying and Opera Coaching from the University of Wisconsin.  Since completing his studies in 1998, Mr. Bellomy has served as vocal coach/accompanist for the Skylight Opera Theatre and the Florentine Opera Company of Milwaukee.  In 1999 and 2001 he also served as Music Director for the Rocky Mountain Repertory Theater in Grand Lake, Colorado.  Currently company pianist for the Milwaukee Ballet Company, he is still in demand throughout the Midwest as both vocal coach and recitalist.  

Melanie Lien Palm - A native of Rapid City, Melanie Lien Palm performed professionally for twenty years in eleven countries throughout North America, Europe and Asia.  She has been a choreographer and dance and movement teacher for nearly as long, working with students in venues as diverse as Vassar College and the Sunrise School in Spearfish.  

All Classes are in the new music building, Meier Hall

Registration for Program:
To obtain registration and additional information please call the office of the Dean, College of Arts and Sciences at Black Hills State University (605) 642-6420. Housing and meals are available for a nominal charge in the University Residence Halls. Persons with disabilities requesting accommodations for this program and associated events should contact either Kay Kerney or Holly Downing at (605) 642-6420 at least 48 hours prior to its start.

Auditions for Program:
Students, age17 or older, should submit a cassette or CD recording of three works, two in foreign language, and a non-refundable deposit of $50 (if accepted into the program) by March 1, 2004 to Dr. Holly Downing, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Unit 9003, Black Hills State University, Spearfish, SD 57799. Participants will be selected from these auditions. Those not selected will have the option to audit the workshop. Cost for participants in this two-week program will be $650 plus 7% SD sales tax ($695.50 total).  The full amount is due May 1, 2004.  Late applications will be considered, but there will be a $50 late fee.  Make checks out to Black Hills Summer Institute of the Arts.  

Audit Program Option:
With this program, auditors pay half price and attend some of the classes and can participate in the opera night performance in small roles and in the chorus.  Auditors pay $325 plus 7% SD sales tax (total = $348).  

Scholarships:
A limited number of quarter and half scholarships will be awarded.  In order to be eligible for a scholarship, students need to apply for one by April 1, 2004.  Scholarship application forms can be requested by e-mail: KayKerney@bhsu.edu, by phone (605) 642-6420, or on the application form.  The awarding of a scholarship is based on need and the audition. 

Credit Option:
For an additional fee, it is possible to earn two academic credits through this program.  If you are interested, please indicate this on the application form. 

Private Lessons:
Students will have the option to take private lessons with selected faculty in addition to classes.   

Gala Opening Performance:
Saturday, June 11 at 7:00 pm. in the Matthews Opera House. A reception will be held after the performance.  Ticket price is $5 for the general public. Reduced rate for students and seniors. Gala or semi-formal dress appreciated. 

Student Performances:
June 24th at 7:00 pm - Vocal Recital. Meier Recital Hall, BHSU. Ticket price is $5. Reduced rate for students and seniors.

June 25th at 7:30 pm - Opera performance: Staged scenes and arias from operas. Woodburn Auditorium, BHSU. Ticket price is $10. Reduced rate for students and seniors.  There is a pre-performance catered dinner for an additional $12.  Reservations are required for the dinner, but not the performance.  A pre-performance lecture will be given by Johanna Meier at 7 pm. The dinner and pre-performance lecture will be held in Meier Hall.  

Link to opera theater and related web directory: http://www.about-arts.com/