Workshops

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Janet Boutin (Queen of the Night), Rebecca Pulito (First Lady), Joelyn Foster (Second Lady) and Anna Maria Dwyer (Third Lady)	Emily Jarowski (Pamina) and Michael Belle (Tamino)	Meegan Gagnon (Papagena) and Maxwell McGrath (Papageno)	Full cast, right after the performance, with Janice sitting proudly in the middle!

On June 7, 2008, one of Boston University College of Fine Arts’ most distinguished faculty members, coach/pianist Michelle Alexander, will present a diction workshop in Philharmonic Hall. Please check the website for updates.

SPRING/SUMMER 2007 WORKSHOPS

Joy McIntyre
Professor Emerita, Boston University:

Lieder and Opera Master Class;
May 19

Participant (limit 8):  $65;
Auditor:  $35

Deposit, due May 4: $25

Session 1:  11:00-1:00

Session 2:  2:30-4:00

Concert: 7:00 p.m.

Joy will work intensively with selected singers on technical and expressive aspects of Lieder and operatic repertoire. The first session (11:00-1:30) will focus on vocal technique.  Joy will spend approximately 20 minutes with each participant.  The afternoon session (3:00-5:00), during which each participant will continue working with Joy, will focus on expressiveness and connecting with your character as well as your audience.  After a dinner break, participants will give a concert of the repertoire they have worked on earlier in the day.  Tuition includes a pianist for all three sessions.

Cindy Sadler
"Ask Erda" and The Business of Singing:

Successfully Navigating the Maze of the Classical Singing Industry at Any Age; May 26

Workshop:  $50;
Private 20 min. consultations on request (limit 6): $25

Deposit, due May 11: $25

General presentation:
1:00-3:00 p.m.

Private consultations:
3:30-5:30 p.m.

Cindy's group presentation begins with a general overview of what to expect when venturing out into the professional singing world and how to prepare a “battle plan" to find a direction and jumpstart a career. Cindy is also offering individual, 20 minute consultations where she will look over a singer's resume and other materials, and offer suggestions for improvement.  Please specify on your application if you wish to reserve a private consultation.

Philip Lauriat, Artistic Director, Granite State Opera:

Successful Audition Techniques; June 16

Participant (limit 8): $40; Auditor: $25

Deposit, due May 30: $25

1:00-4:00 p.m.

These “mock auditions” will cover the A to Z's of the audition process, from what kind of materials to submit initially to interaction with an accompanist and the auditor. Philip will critique you individually on what you have done right or where there is room for improvement, and then look over your resume and make suggestions for those improvements.  Phil has had over 25 years of experience in the professional opera world, both as a performer and an artistic director, and can pinpoint strengths and weaknesses.  He will help you create a package you will be proud to "sell."

Sharon Daniels, Director, Boston University Opera Institute:

Classical Singer as Actor: Tools for Unlocking the Unique Artist Within; June 30

Participant (limit 8):   $80; Auditor: $50

Deposit, due June 15:  $35

Session 1:  11:00-1:30

Session 2:  3:00-5:30 p.m.

Sharon 's workshop will deal with one of the most important, yet most difficult, aspects of the classical singer's toolbox – how to communicate effectively and expressively with an audience, especially when singing in a foreign language.

PRESENTER BIOS

Associate Professor Emerita, Boston University and former Head of the BU Voice Dept., Joy McIntyre appeared in leading roles in over 30 opera houses including Berlin, Frankfurt, Cologne, Salzburg, Vienna, Copenhagen and Prague. She has presented masterclasses in German diction and vocal literature in the US, France, Austria and Germany. In the summers of 2003 and 2004, she taught at the University of Miami's summer vocal program in Salzburg.

Cindy Sadler, Classical Singer Magazine's "Ask Erda" and a professional, managed singer, writer, teacher, and consultant, will present special topics from her Business of Singing Workshop designed to help singers navigate the maze of the classical singing industry. From personal branding and creating a stellar package to finding and getting auditions and on-the-job protocol, Cindy will outline the tools to jumpstart a singing career and accomplish concrete goals.

Philip Lauriat has more than 25 years experience in the world of opera as conductor, producer, singer, teacher, and stage director.  As Artistic Director of Granite State Opera, he has worked with singers from The Metropolitan Opera, La Scala, and all the major opera houses in the country. "Phil Lauriat is a terrific coach who makes it his goal to get the best sound from you." (Monica Yunus, Metropolitan Opera soprano).  In concert, he conducted Frederica von Stade's first performance of Mahler's Rückert Lieder and Patricia Racette's first performance of Barber's Knoxville, Summer of 1915.  He studied voice with Ellen Repp, drama with James di Blasis, and conducting with Dr. Georg Tintner, a student of Felix Weingartner and noted Brucknerian. 

Sharon Daniels is Associate Professor of Opera and Voice at Boston University; Director of Opera Programs; Stage Director, BU Opera Institute. She was principal soprano in most of the leading opera theatres in the U.S. during the 1970s and 1980s including New York City Opera, San Francisco Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Opera Theatre of St. Louis, Kansas City Lyric Opera, and San Francisco Symphony.   Sharon Daniels has premiered many new roles as well as definitive performances in the standard repertoire. Her voice studio has produced principal artists in every kind of professional venue nationally and internationally, and winners of many major competitions like the Metropolitan Opera Regional and National Finals and the International Caruso Competition.  Sharon is a nationally sought after stage director, and her development of the BU Opera Institute is one of the most distinguished programs of its kind.

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What Janice's Students and Colleagues Have to Say

"Janice Edwards is a dynamic singing actress, passionately committed to vocal excellence for herself and her students."

Joy McIntyre, Professor Emerita, BU Voice Department, Distinguished Soprano in opera houses in the U.S. and Europe

"Janice Edwards has hammered home the ultimate importance of breathing and proper support in my technique, all the while helping me immensely with my diction in all languages. And her professional contacts have seen me getting more and more attention and feedback every season!"

Michael Belle, tenor, 2nd place, Boston NATS Avocational Division, 2007

“Janice is a wonderful musician and teacher.  My lessons are infused with joy and are the highlight of my week! “  

Janet Boutin, soprano  

“Janice is the complete package — an excellent technician with laser sharp ears and a vast knowledge of repertoire, partnered with an organized, kind and personalized approach.  Because of Janice, I am finding my true voice!”

Susan Craft , soprano 

“Janice Edwards has had an amazing impact on my son, Max, as a coach, mentor and friend.  She is a consummate musician who continues to mold and guide his young voice with such great care and professionalism.   Our trust and gratitude are boundless!"

Karen McGrath, mother of Max, 17 year old tenor, who just won first place in the Granite State NATS Division I competition, April 7, 2007

“Janice Edwards is a very enthusiastic teacher who gives her students a solid technical foundation. She is a generous, supportive, and honest person who brings out the unique beauty in each of her student's voices. She is an example of a successful singer who is also a fine teacher. Singing has become easier and more enjoyable for me. Since studying with her, I have been getting a lot more work.”

Michelle Wright , mezzo-soprano

“Every time I work with Janice, I leave feeling invigorated and encouraged.  Her clear, insightful instruction is effective, and her love of singing is simply contagious.”

Rebecca Manheck, soprano