OPERA PROGRAMS BERLIN
presents
SINGING WHILE BLACK
IN GERMANY
​August 20, 2020, 7pm CEST | online
Hosted by Saraï Cole
RACE & OPERA:
REACHING ACROSS THE TABLE
August 21, 2020, 7pm CEST | online
Hosted by Saraï Cole
AGEISM IN OPERA
September 8, 2020, 7pm CEST | online
​Hosted by Saraï Cole
More information coming up, stay tuned.
FEEDBACK FROM ALUMNI
'This program has been absolutely fantastic! Each speaker has imparted such wisdom, and I don't feel the quality of the content was at all compromised by being online.'
​Sara LeMesh (USA) | Polishing Your Professional Audition Package for the Global Market - Online Program
'This program has been just wonderful. The individual session was invaluable and the Q&A sessions were extremely interesting and really well arranged. I can't thank you enough for arranging this program in these difficult times. The frame the schedule has given us and the inspiring talks were extremely motivating and kept me inspired throughout these passed few weeks. A BIG THANK YOU to Opera Programs Berlin.'
Michal Aloni (Israel/Canada) | Polishing Your Professional Audition Package for the Global Market - Online Program
'It was a pleasure working with Ms. Nikolov and Ms. Wyma virtually. We covered a lot of things in an hour in my individual feedback session. I got specific things to improve/change in my materials, which makes it easy for me to take the next steps and fix those details. I know what to do differently in my upcoming demo recording sessions. I hope to work with them live some day when the situation allows.
Opera Programs Berlin has gathered quite an impressive group of professionals for the Q&A sessions. Hearing both those who sit on the other side of the table in auditions and experienced professional singers in different phrases of their career gives a well-rounded picture of the business with multiple perspectives.'
Marja Kari (Finland) | Polishing Your Professional Audition Package for the Global Market - Online Program
http://www.marjakari.com/
​‘Participating in Polishing Your Professional Audition Package for the Global Market - Online Program has been the best money I've ever spent. The information that was given about the current market and the private session with Ms. Nikolov and Ms. Wyma were priceless. These are things that no one ever tells you before you come out of conservatory. The tips were truly golden.’
Shira Cohen (Israel) | Polishing Your Professional Audition Package for the Global Market - Online Program
'I want to sincerely thank you for the wonderful week studying Baroque music for the Historical Performance Program. It was a truly informative and inspiring program. I personally gained so much knowledge, curiosity and confidence in this repertoire, and observed growth in all my colleagues as well. Thank you for providing such a great environment for learning and making music in a truly positive and nurturing atmosphere.'
Rachel Pines (Canada|Germany) | Historical Performance: 1580-1750
https://www.rachelpines.com/
'Thank you so much, and to Professor Byron Knutson and Deborah York for a wonderful course. I learned so much, both musically, stylistically and technically, and I have started to properly work on the technical aspects that Deborah York worked with me on and it's already made a huge difference to my singing! I am so excited and so grateful and I can't wait to see what happens to my voice long term as it is already so much happier and freer.'
Nina Kopparhed (UK|Sweden) | Historical Performance: 1580-1750
https://www.ninakopparhed.com/
'Both prof. Knutson and Prof. York are amazing, knowledgeable. Put them in a room with students and magic will happen no matter what.'
Ema Katrovas (Czech Republic|USA) | Historical Performance: 1580-1750
https://emakatrovas.com/
'FINDING REPRESENTATION & THE GERMAN THEATRE SYSTEM WORKSHOP is an extraordinary project. This program has exceeded my expectations. Opera Programs Berlin have curated undeniably people who have an insider information of our business. The workshop was very well structured. The Agents and Casting Personnel were not only highly knowledgeable but also very approachable professionals. The friendly atmosphere made the learning process really enjoyable, hence, more effective. I strongly recommend joining the next workshop.'
Małgorzata Pawłowska, Soprano (Poland) | Finding Representation & The German Theatre Sytem​​
https://www.facebook.com/mpawlowskasoprano/
'Honesty is one of the Opera Programs Berlin highest values:
  • What you read on their website - the list of activities planned for each sessions and the instructors who will teach them - is exactly what you get. 
  • More importantly, the instructors are expressly told to treat singers as real artists, not customers. 
All three masterclass instructors - Rebekah Rota, Prof. Byron Knutson, and Stephan Reineke - were superb choices for the subject of this session. I was particularly impressed with Rebekah Rota whose insight into the world of opera from "both sides of the table" as it were, that is, from both the singer's and director’s perspective, was extremely insightful and her advice for each singer, be it vocal or career-oriented, was truly (at least speaking for myself) helpful. Prof. Byron Knutson was one of the best coaches I have worked with; I walked away from my time with him knowing clearly the specific things I needed to work on in the two arias we rehearsed, which is exactly how you should walk away from a coaching. Stephan Reineke, a soft-spoken and startlingly empathetic agent, was able to give each of us strategic advice from the perspective of someone who is intimately familiar with the current classical singing business at the highest level. '
Ema Katrovas (Czech Republic|USA) | Polishing Your Professional Audition Package for the German Market
https://emakatrovas.com/
'The audition with Stephan Reineke was amazing. I realized that it is not that scary [singing for an agent] as I thought it would be. I found out important information about the [German Theatre] system and how to audition in order to get hired.'
Anna Ildikó Kiss, Mezzo-Soprano (Hungary/Romania) | Italian Operas Program: Bel Canto & Verismo
'My experience with the programme was extremely enjoyable. As well as observing the masterclasses of other participants in the beautiful studio, being able to sing and make recordings there was also incredibly valuable to me. In particular, I learned a huge amount in the session on CVs, social media, and website presentation. The programme was also a fantastic way to meet other singers from around the world, from whom I also learned a lot. Both of the directors of the program showed amazing direction, professionalism, and kindness, and I would love the opportunity to work on one of the programs again in the future.'
Chloe Jackson (UK) | Polishing Your Professional Audition Package for the German Market Program

'The Italian Operas Program: Bel Canto & Verismo was very intense but I loved the fact that the program was long enough to learn and also stabilise the changes made with the help of instructors.  I really enjoyed the time where we had two sessions a day with both instructors. That was very intense but, oh, so helpful!'
Vizma Zvaigzne, Mezzo-Soprano (Latvia) | Italian Operas Program: Bel Canto & Verismo
"Doing the course Polishing Your Professional Audition Package for the german market insured me on my way as a young singer. Being trained in auditioning every day, I feel more prepared and sure for my upcoming auditions. The fact to get feedback to all aspects of auditioning (materials, Outfit, make-up, stage presence and singing) makes the course really great, special and challenging!" 
Helen Weintritt, Soprano (Germany) | Polishing Your Professional Audition Package for the German Market Program
https://www.helen-weintritt.com/
'The Mozart|DaPonte Operas Program in Berlin was an invaluable experience for me. Working with such a richly knowledgeable faculty and in such an intense, succinct program is the best way to tackle the Daponte operas. It was wonderful to work with other singers from around the world in ensembles and to perfect my own arias for performance. I would recommend the program to anyone.'
Morgan Carter, Mezzo-Soprano (Australia) | Mozart|DaPonte Operas
'In January of this year I had the opportunity to participate at the first Mozart Da Ponte programme in Berlin and it was a great experience all the way- vocal coachings with very skilful, professional and competent teachers, drama workshops and amazing, eye-opening workshops for interpreting recitatives. This week gave me a lot of new tools on how to work on Mozart repertoire but also helped me to develop my singing and acting skills in general. In addition to all that, I enjoyed the time with great colleagues and amazing organisation throughout the whole course. It is a perfect course to work on all levels connected to making a Mozart piece sound as heavenly as it should!'
Maarja Purga, Mezzo-Soprano (Estonia) | Mozart|DaPonte Operas
http://maarjapurga.de/

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