I arrived at Tel Aviv airport after
a long connecting flight from London. I met up with Rejieli (the
other Australian at the course from Aussing) and we were both taken
to our hotel which was right in the centre of Tel Aviv (10 minute
walk from the beach). I arrived a couple of days before the course
started allowing for an acclimatisation period, which was useful
given the fact that Israel is very HOT.
The first day of the course passed
without any trouble. Introductions were made but it took a few days
for me to remember any names. The first master class was taken by
Joan Dornemann. She really is an entertainer. What usually happens
in master classes is that they become more like a show for the
audience but with Joan they were more like a lesson. This was the
same for all the master classes at the IVAI.
A lot of the teachers gave master
classes during the month. I was lucky enough to have my first master
class near the beginning of the course with an amazing singer Mignon
Dunn. No stranger to the stage with around 30 years of experience
from the MET she really had some amazing things to teach me. I ended
up having some singing lessons with her which were quite an eye
opener for me. It also led to my first real introduction to Joan.
During one of the lessons with Mignon I was singing Mozart’s Dies
Bildnist. Mignon stopped me for a second, dashed out of the room
only to return with Joan. “Now sing that bit again will you honey,”
she said referring to the end of the aria. I sang it again and Joan
seemed to be very impressed. It was a nice way to be introduced to
her. …Probably a lot better than saying anything.
During the month they staged eight
operas accompanied by piano. Each opera had its own conductor and
stage director. They were Mozart and Salieri (Rimsky-Korsakov),
Prima La Musica (Salieri), Le Medecin Malgre Lui (Gounod), L’Elisir
D’Amoure (Donizetti), Il Tabarro (Puccini), Madama Butterfly-second
act (Puccini). I was in Le Medecin by Gounod. It was great fun.
Another hit of the month was Dan
Gettinger’s Broadway concert. Absolutely booked out in advance this
concert is apparently always the most popular of the program. It is
usually set around half way through the course so not to coincide
with the operas which are performed near the end. I really enjoyed
singing in this concert. As a young opera singer I haven’t really
looked into musicals, or given it much respect, but after working on
some songs with Dan, and witnessing some absolutely amazing
performances by some of the other singers on the course, I have
changed my some what biased views. And am proud to say that I now
have some nice songs in my concert repertoire which I know my mum
will love.
The great thing about IVAI is that
it is an environment which pushes each singer there to explore their
own voice SAFELY, and learn as much as they possibly can. Every day
is full of intense activities such as voice lessons, language
coaching, stage rehearsal for operas being performed and other such
things.
After the course was over I realized
what it had done for me. It gave me a huge boost in confidence, and
it enabled me to explore my voice in ways I thought weren’t
possible. The other incredible thing is the people I met. They ware
just like me. Striving to be a good singer, on the same learning
curve. No matter which level each of us were at we found it easy to
communicate as we were sharing the same experiences. This has led to
a lot of new friends which I know I will be catching up with in the
not so distant future.
Apart from the singing part I also
managed to do a bit of site seeing which involved at trip to
Jerusalem and Cesarea (built by the Romans). Having the hotel so
close to the beach also came in handy.
I would like to thank the Australian
Singing Competition for giving me this incredible chance to spend a
full month at the IVAI in Tel Aviv. It has really been a turning
point for me in regards to technique and career. Thank You.
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