Emerging Artists: Curriculum

The Emerging Artist Development Program 2011-2012 runs from October through May is and coordinated with the three main-stage productions during the Calgary Opera season, Pagliacci/Gianni Schicchi, Moby Dick and La Bohème.  Emerging Artist participants are cast in Supporting and Bit roles as well as cover roles throughout the season, based upon their skill level and experience. Throughout the season Emerging Artists have opportunities for individual and group contact with Main-stage guest artists including visiting directors, Alain Gauthier, Leonard Foglia  and Rob Herriot;  conductors Robert Tweten, Jean-Marie Zeitouni and Gordon Gerrard, and singers John Fanning, Sally Dibblee, Marc Hervieux,, Ben Heppner, Brett Polegato, Antoine Belanger, Marianne Fiset, and Phillip Addis.

Guest vocal coach Stuart Hamilton with Program Coordinator Mel Kirby and Emerging Artist alumnus Lauren Phillips.

The driving goal of the program is to bridge the gap between a formal education and the professional world of opera, therefore emphasis is put on coaching and performance experience.  Resident Voice Teacher is Dawn Johnson, who works with the Emerging Artists throughout the season.  Resident Instructors in other performance areas may include Grant Reddick (Acting, Text and Speech), Anita Miotti (Yoga and Movement for Actors), Tim Christison (Professional Development) and J.P. Fournier (Fight and Combat).  Participants receive career counseling throughout the season in marketing, publicity presentation, effective audition practices, exposure to prospective agents and prepare an audition CD and marketing package.

Eminent Canadian Voice Teacher Wendy Nielsen is Guest Voice Instructor throughout the year in individual week-long residencies.  

Confirmed guest teachers and coaches throughout the season include Stuart Hamilton, Peter Tiefenbach and Ann Hodges.

Opera in Schools Tour The Magic Flute Spring 2012 Emerging Artists tour throughout Calgary and Alberta schools and communities during March, 2012 with a 45-minute adaptation of Mozart’s The Magic Flute for young audiences, fully staged and costumed with keyboard accompaniment.

Second Stage Emerging Artist Showcase: Ariodante May 5, 6, 8 & 10, 2012 Arrata Opera Centre Tickets: $20 - $40   A special Emerging Artist production this season of Handel’s Ariodante adapted anddirected by Ann Hodges and with orchestra conducted by Gordon Gerrard takes place in the intimate setting of the Arrata Opera Centre in early May.  This fully staged and costumed production, an ideal vehicle for a youthful energetic cast, will be Calgary Opera’s first foray into the world of Baroque opera and its first performance of a work by Handel.