In my last article, I talked about the possibility of going back to school to earn a graduate degree. Some music teachers are lucky enough to take the time and financial sacrifice to seek a masters or doctorate degree, while others may not have the luxury of doing so. For those of you who have decided formal schooling is not an option, maybe specializing in your field through summer coursework might be a better plan. Here are some wonderful workshops, classes, and camps to look into for yourself this summer.
The Sweet Briar Residential Workshop for Alexander Technique
This workshop is open to anyone interested in Alexander, and who wants the opportunity to work with a variety of highly skilled teachers in a community setting. This is an intensive learning experience, with large and small group sessions as well as individual Alexander lessons. Optional classes are available in yoga, relaxation, voice, and performance skills. Located at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Sweet Briar College covers 3,000 acres of woodlands, dells and small lakes. Visit http://www.alextech-sweetbriar.com/sweetbriar.html or contact Ian Kleiman at 1-800-295-9296.
Wesley Balk Opera/ Music-Theater Institute
This workshop is open to teachers and performers, as well as those interested in directing and vocal coaching. Based at Augsburg College in Minneapolis, MN, this workshop strives for integrated performances of singing, movement and acting by integrating the principals of famed director and author, Wesley Balk. This intensive three week course offers an outstanding staff of instructors who create a stimulating and challenging environment by giving support and concrete tools instead of instilling an environment of competition of comparison. Visit http://www.wesleybalk.org/index.html for more information or to register.
Westminster Choir College Summer Seminars
Westminster Choir College offers week-long summer courses from June 22- July 31. Courses include Orff Certification, Kodaly Certification, “Ornamentation of Handel, Bach, Rameau, Mozart and Monteverdi” taught by Julianne Baird, and “Your Voice: An inside view” taught by Scott McCoy. All seminars are taught on the Westminster campus in Princeton, NJ, and if requested, may be applicable to graduate school credit. For more information or to register online, visit http://www.rider.edu/886_1112.htm.
Performance Anxiety from Inside Out with Helen Spielman
Helen Spielman, M.A., is on faculty at the University of North Carolina Wellness Center, and also conducts many workshop series on performance anxiety throughout the United States. Currently she is on faculty at Wildacres Flute Retreat in Little Switzerland, NC, from June 20-27. She is also giving lectures this summer at the NFA Convention workshop in New York City on August 12th. Visit her website at http://www.performconfidently.com/index.html to find her updated schedule, as well as more information on her work with students, teachers and performers.
Hopefully this list gives you some ideas for your own education this summer. If you have attended a workshop or class that you feel was beneficial to your music making and teaching that is not on this list, please post the course title and website below along with your review. If you have attended one of these programs, tell us what you thought about your experience. Thanks!
About the Author
Nebraska native Sarah Luebke completed her MM in vocal performance at the University of Kentucky, and her BM in vocal performance at St. Olaf College. Recently she has been seen performing the female lead, Jane McDowell, in "The Stephen Foster Story" and the ensemble of "Big River" with Stephen Foster Productions. Other performances include the soprano soloist of Bach's St. John Passion, La Fee in Massenet's "Cendrillon" at the Intermezzo Opera Festival, Najade in "Ariadne auf Naxos" at the Brevard Music Festival, Monica in "The Medium", Rose Maybud in "Ruddigore", and Fiordiligi in "Cosi fan tutte". She currently resides with her husband in Florida, teaching a studio of 40 students and auditioning and performing locally.
by Sue Benson — Sat Dec 20, 2008 @ 3:53 pm