'The pupils learn by doing – a must for singing – and the teacher is genuinely interested both in pupils advancing and in them enjoying it all as they advance.'
– S. Lannon

'The best course I’ve ever taken. Didn’t want it to end!'
– J. Fitzgibbon

The Opera Workshop is an ideal starting point for anyone who has ever imagined himself or herself on an operatic stage – whether as the broken-hearted Mimi in Puccini’s La Bohème, as the quirky bird-watcher Papageno in Mozart’s The Magic Flute or as the mistress of seduction in Bizet’s Carmen. The workshop invites you to bring to life the music of great operatic composers in a relaxed and enthusiastic environment. Over a ten-week period, we will cover the following elements:

• Vocal and breathing techniques to free up your voice and help it develop in a natural, healthy way
• Finding your vocal range and choosing repertoire to suit your voice
• Singing in a foreign language and improving diction
• Learning and staging solo arias and operatic ensembles
• Opera research and ‘getting to know’ your character
• Positive programming to help you build confidence and maximize your potential

The workshop will also include preparation with an accompanist, and (although this is not required) participants can showcase some of the material they have worked on in a final performance, open to the public. Participants are encouraged to invite family and friends along!

Although this workshop is an introduction to opera and operatic singing, it is not intended for voice beginners. Participants should have some previous experience singing in choirs or musicals or have taken at least a term of private or group singing lessons. You should bring along a song you are familiar with to the first session. It doesn’t need to be operatic or even classical but should demonstrate your range and ability.

Emer is available to speak by phone with those interested in participating in this workshop. Please let us know by email or phone if you would like her to contact you.

The Opera Workshop is one of our group courses. Private, partner, group and intensive lessons in classical voice are also available. See Departments & Faculty - Voice (Singing) for more information.

2011-2012 Third Term Schedule & Fee

Not offered in the Third Term.

Emer Barry, Teacher

Emer has an honours degree in Music and Italian from UCD and holds a Masters in Music Performance from the DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama. She has performed extensively throughout Ireland as a soloist on both the concert platform and as guest soprano with choral societies and orchestras. She is a regular soloist at the National Concert Hall and has performed as guest soprano with leading Irish composer and singer Liam Lawton. Operatic roles include Fulvia in Rossini’s La Pietra del Paragone , Nedda in Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci and Susanna in Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro. She played the female lead role of Serpina in La Serva Padrona, which toured northern Italy in July 2009 under the direction of Opera Theatre Company’s Annalise Miskimmon. Bursaries and prizes include the John McCormack and Oliver O’Brien bursaries from the John McCormack Society of Ireland, the Stevenson award for overall vocal championship at the Ballymena Music Festival and the RTE Lyric fm bursary for most promising singer at the Feis Ceoil, Sligo 2007. Emer teaches voice (singing) and the Introducing Singing for Adults course at the New School, as well as the Opera Workshop.

Enrolment

Enrolment for this course requires a completed enrolment form and full payment of tuition fees. (Go to Enrolment & Booking Form Downloads for a 2011-2012 General Enrolment Form.) Places are available on a first-come, first-served basis, based on the date of enrolment. Early enrolment is recommended, as places are limited to ten.

Purchasing this course as a gift? Go to Enrolment & Booking Form Downloads for a Gift Certificate Booking Form.

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