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It’s not only what you know, it’s also who you know!

OPERA America brings you closer to the people you need to know, including managers, arts administrators and fellow artists at Making Connections — professional development and networking events in New York City. Come hear informative panel discussions with influential professionals in the field followed by receptions where you can enjoy refreshments and conversations with your peers.

The Making Connections series takes place from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., and offers convenient pre-performance or after-work activities. Each event is held in the OPERA America office, located at 330 Seventh Avenue between 28th and 29th Streets — less than one block from the 1 train and near Penn Station.

When: 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., followed by a reception
Where: 330 Seventh Avenue, 16th floor (at 29th Street) [click here to view map]
Fees: $5 per session for members ($10 per session for non-members)

Contact us with any questions: MakingConnections@operaamerica.org

2008-2009 Making Connections Schedule
Either select a track from the dropdown or select individual sessions by checking the boxes.



SEPTEMBER 23, 2008 FINDING ARTIST MENTORS
ALL ARTISTS
Opera artists experience a wide range of career paths. This session will provide:
  • Tips on identifying good mentors
  • Techniques for approaching mentors
  • Networking opportunities

Moderator: Nicholas G. Russell
Panel: Linda Golding, The Reservoir; Daron Hagen, composer; Erie Mills, soprano

SEPTEMBER 24, 2008 Crossing from Theater Directing to Opera
Directors and Designers
Being a stage director in opera requires a unique set of skills. Panelists who successfully cross over from theater to opera will discuss:
  • Working with opera singers vs. working with stage actors
  • Relationships with conductors and stage managers
  • Finding opportunities in both fields

Moderator: Yuval Sharon, stage director
Panel: Ned Canty, stage director; James Marvel, stage director; Dona D. Vaughn, PORTopera

OCTOBER 16, 2008 Fine-tuning Your Networking Skills
All Artists
Establishing and maintaining good relationships are an essential part of an artist’s career. This session will highlight:
  • Creating professional contacts in a variety of settings
  • Projecting a positive image

Presenter: Angela Myles Beeching, New England Conservatory of Music

OCTOBER 28, 2008 Workshopping Your Opera
Composers and Librettists
Important components of the creative process include assessment and feedback. The creative artists on this panel will discuss:
  • Innovative ways they have workshopped pieces
  • Factors to consider when planning to workshop
  • Processing evaluation and feedback

Presenters: Charles Jarden, American Opera Projects; Diane Wondisford, Music-Theater Group; Ricky Ian Gordon, composer; David Schweitzer, stage director

OCTOBER 29, 2008 Performing in Your Community
All Artists
Engaging new audiences and reaching out to your local community are important parts of being an artist. Hear from panelists who:
  • Created performing opportunities
  • Helped other organizations through fundraising and benefit concerts
  • Performed in unique venues to reach a wider market

Panel: Grethe Holby, Family Opera Initiative; Anne Ricci, Opera on Tap; Camille Zamora, Sing for Hope; Charles Hamlen, Classical Action: Performing Arts Against AIDS

NOVEMBER 18, 2008 New Works Opportunities with Music Schools
Composers and Librettists
Academic institutions can be great settings for new opera workshops and productions. This session will cover:
  • Music schools that develop adventurous programming and how they offer a unique
    experience for composers and librettists
  • Working with young musicians
  • Using the longer rehearsal periods for feedback and evaluation

Presenters: Conrad Cummings, composer; Gordon Ostrowski, Manhattan School of Music; Lowell Lieberman, composer

NOVEMBER 19, 2008 Career Transitions for Singers
Singers
No two career paths are alike, and not every singer has a lifelong career at international opera houses. This session will explore:
  • Identifying your strengths and interests
  • Best ways to use your skills
  • Taking your career to its next logical stage

Moderator: Anne Choe
Panel: Ana De Archuleta, ADA-Artists; Jane Bunnell, DePaul University; Darren K. Woods, Fort Worth Opera

December 9, 2008 Choosing A Training Program
Singers
6:30 pm (note the later time)
Singers have an array of choices when it comes to training programs. This panel will discuss:
  • Different types of training programs
  • Knowing when you’re ready for a training program
  • Making the most of your time at a training program

Moderator: Laura Brooks Rice, Westminster Choir College
Panel: Peter Kazaras, Seattle Opera; Justina Lee, Maryland Opera Studio; William Powers, Pittsburgh Opera

December 10, 2008 Putting Your Best Foot Forward in an Audition
Singers
One of the most important aspects in a young singer’s career is the audition. This session will feature advice on:
  • Performing an effective audition
  • Repertoire and attire
  • Processing audition feedback

Moderators: Anne Choe
Panel: Ken Benson, CAMI; Lauren Flanigan, soprano; Lenore Rosenberg, Metropolitan Opera

January 27, 2009 Public Speaking
All Artists
Public speaking is a craft that is invaluable to all professionals. This session will address:
  • Overcoming anxiety
  • Discussing your work in a clear, articulate manner
  • Speaking extemporaneously

Presenter: Marc A. Scorca, OPERA America

January 28, 2009 Maintaining Your Health amid a Hectic Schedule
All Artists
For most opera artists, staying in good health is crucial to staying employable. Yet travel, stress and interaction with others can make keeping the sniffles away challenging. This panel will share tips on:
  • Creating a balanced lifestyle
  • Dealing with anxiety
  • Resources for maintaining your health anywhere
Moderator: Megan Young, OPERA America
Panel: Doo Nam Kim, M.D.; Carol Kirkpatrick, Aria Ready

February 24, 2009 Learning a Role Inside and Out
Singers
Delving into a new role is not as simple as starting from page one. Experts will discuss:
  • Creating a strategy for learning a role
  • Resources and research materials

February 25, 2009 How Companies Commission Opera
Composers and Librettists
Each new opera commission has a unique process and path. In this session, panelists will discuss:
  • Reasons opera companies commission new works
  • How operas and creative artists are chosen
  • Best practices for creative artists to reach opera companies

March 4, 2009 Making the Most of your Degree Program
Singers
Opera artists must acquire a multitude of skills to be successful. This panel will discuss:
  • Taking advantage of your education to the fullest
  • Managing your time
  • Gaining essential skills outside your degree requirements

March 24, 2009 Marketing and Media
All Artists
You have worked hard to perfect your craft, but are your promotional materials doing you justice? This session will cover:
  • Headshots and other photos
  • Creating engaging Web sites
  • Managing your Web image

Panel: Mindi Raynor, Mindi Raynor Public Relations; Sean Bickerton, ArtistManager.net

March 25, 2009 Having a Career Beyond the Young Artist Program
Singers
Young artist programs can be great stepping stones for early career singers but they are not necessarily the key to success. The singers on this panel will discuss:
  • Important steps to take after completing a program
  • Carving out your own career path without a young artist program

May 20, 2009 Fundraising 101
All Artists
Most artists will likely have to raise funds during their careers, whether it is to produce a piece, attend a training program or simply to supplement income. Our fundraising expert will cover:
  • Identifying sources of income
  • Creating a fundraising strategy
  • “The ask”

May 21, 2009 Designing for 21st-Century Opera
Directors and Designers
New opera productions and new works provide designers endless possibilities to be creative. A panel of experts will explore:
  • Design trends in the field
  • Numerous multimedia options for the opera stage
  • Bringing film, fashion and other art forms onto the opera stage in exciting ways

Presenters: Ben Pearcy, Wendell Harrington, Jerome Serlin, Johnathon Pape, Allen Moyer

While some sessions may be more applicable to some groups than others, all are welcome to attend any session.
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OPERA CONFERENCE 2008 KEYNOTE >>


CALENDAR >>
October, 2008
16
Making Connections
Fine-tuning Your Networking Skills
Establishing and maintaining good relationships are an essential part of an artist’s career. This session will highlight:
October, 2008
18
Singer Training Forum
The Singer Training Forum is comprised of stakeholders in the field of opera (including voice teachers, young artist program managers, opera company administrators and artist managers, among others) who are dedicated to the identification and development of aspiring singers. To be held in the OPERA America offices in New York.
October, 2008
25
OPERA America Singer Workshop
Strategies for Building a Successful Career
Hear dynamic presentations and panels with valuable career advice.
October, 2008
26
OPERA America Singer Workshop
Strategies for Building a Successful Career
Hear dynamic presentations and panels with valuable career advice.
October, 2008
28
Making Connections
Workshopping Your Opera
Important components of the creative process include assessment and feedback. The creative artists on this panel will discuss:
October, 2008
29
Making Connections
Performing in Your Community
Engaging new audiences and reaching out to your local community are important parts of being an artist. Hear from panelists who:
October, 2008
31
The NEA Opera Honors
The National Endowment for the Arts Opera Honors Awards Show in Washington, DC
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