Artist Resources
Singer Training Forum

Vision
Well-trained, artistically compelling, healthy singers are central to the vitality of opera in North America. Provided the necessary training and resources, talented singers can become well-rounded artists, successful professionals in the business of singing, and allies in the advancement of the art form as a contemporary cultural expression in the 21st century.

Mission
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. The objective of the Forum is to strengthen mutual understanding, improve practices across the field and encourage collaboration among the network of professionals who share a devotion to the art form and to singers.

Reasons for Convening
The Singer Training Forum was formed as a way to identify and address commonly held concerns throughout the field. These concerns include but are not limited to:

  • Companies have expressed difficulty identifying technically proficient singers in an increasingly large talent pool.
  • The reduction of K-12 music education has resulted in a lower baseline of musical knowledge for singers entering college.
  • Universities find it difficult to address all of the subjects required for a professional singing career in the opera field.
  • Singers do not take responsibility for the development of their careers, and singers often do not know what questions to ask regarding their career development or where to direct such questions.
  • Emerging artists are often naive to the demands of a professional singing career and many have unrealistic expectations.
  • No one component of the field (universities/conservatories, training programs, artist managers, opera companies) is able to respond to all the career needs of singers.
  • Collaboration across the field is essential for the successful advancement of opera careers and, more generally, the art of singing.

Goals
OPERA America’s Singer Training Forum works to:

  • Facilitate a dialogue between stakeholders in the field of opera regarding singer training and career development.
  • Advocate for a holistic approach to singer training and career development.
  • Provide resources for singers and teachers to help achieve this holistic approach.

Target Audiences
The Singer Training Forum exists to benefit:

  • Singers
    - High school students
    - University and conservatory students
    - Emerging artists
    - Established professionals
  • Voice teachers and coaches
  • University/conservatory opera and voice programs
  • Training programs
    - Tuition-based programs
    - Apprentice programs
    - Young artist programs
  • Producing opera companies

Membership
Singer Training Forum membership is open by invitation to representatives of:

  • OPERA America Professional Company Members
  • OPERA America Educational Producing Associate Members
  • Artist management firms that are OPERA America Business Members
  • Competitions and granting foundations that are Associate Members of OPERA America
  • Allied professional associations including, but not limited to:
    - The National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)
    - The National Opera Association (NOA)
    - The National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS)
    - The American Choral Directors Association (ACDA)

Committees
The Singer Training Forum steering committee is comprised of five Forum members who help articulate and realize the Forum’s goals. Other task-based committees are formed as needed to carry out specific action items.

Meetings
The Singer Training Forum gathers twice each year, in the fall and spring, to discuss critical issues concerning the training and career development of promising young artists. The fall meeting traditionally takes place in New York City and the spring meeting coincides with Opera Conference. Committee meetings and conference calls occur throughout the year to continue the dialogue and further the agenda of the Singer Training Forum.
Saturday, February 04, 2012
      

Winter 2012 Magazine Issue
  • Letter from the President/CEO
  • Philadelphia Cultural Revolution
  • Supporting First Time Directors
  • The National Opera Center
  • Recently Published
Contact Us
330 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001
P 212-796-8620 • F 212-796-8631
Info@operaamerica.org • Directions
From Airport:
The easiest way to reach the OPERA America offices is to get a cab at the airport. Cost is $40-45
(not including tip).
  • JFK - Take the AirTrain ($5 - approx. 15 minutes) to the Jamaica Street Station and transfer to the Long Island Railroad (LIRR). Take the LIRR to Penn Station ($12 - approx. 35 minutes). See Penn Station directions below.
  • LaGuardia - Take the M60 Bus to the Hoyt Ave/31st Street. Get on the or Train and take that to 42nd/Times Square Station. Follow the Times Square Station directions below.
  • Newark - Take the New Jersey Transit train to Penn Station ($15 - approx. 45 min). See the Penn Station Directions below.

From Penn Station/Madison Square Garden:
Leave the station through the 7th Avenue/33rd Street exit and walk south for four blocks. The building is on
the right hand side.

From Grand Central Station:
Take the Train to the 42nd/Times Square station and transfer to the Train.
Take the Train to the 28th Street stop and walk north on 7th Avenue.
The building is on the same block as the train stop.

From 42nd Street/Times Square:
Take the Train to the 28th Street stop and walk north on 7th Avenue.
The building is on the same block as the train stop.

For more detailed directions, most up-to-date pricing or to specify a different starting location, please visit the
MTA Web site.