Dandelion Opera Institute

Two weeks of intensive studies

with international stars of the opera world

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Mission

Sahar Nouri, founder

Dandelion Opera Institute provides opportunities for learning, collaboration, and lasting mentorship for young singers and pianists pursuing a career in opera.

In the ever-changing world of today, the arts play an even more vital role in the well-being of individuals and communities. The arts offer peace, power of expression, and chances to connect. It is essential for us, especially during these times, to nurture our younger generation of artists and to cultivate their creativity.

By equipping them with skills, knowledge, and inspiration, we dream to see all of our artists take flight, easily and independently, in the direction they are meant to go.

We strive to make each artist’s journey magical and beautiful just like the flight of dandelion.

 

Sahar Nouri

Dandelion Opera Institute’s summer program *

July 6-18, 2020

*Due to COVID-19, this intensive summer program will be delivered virtually, via Zoom.

Voice Lessons and Studio Class

Voice lessons are offered twice a week by star singers, Ailyn Pérez, Luretta Bybee and Greer Grimsley. Participants have the opportunity to study with one or more teachers throughout the program. The focus of voice lessons can be preparation of a full role, audition or concert repertoire. A voice studio class will be offered by each teacher at the end of the week.

Masterclasses and seminars

Each week will present 4 masterclasses and 2 seminars lead by top-notch conductors, singers, pianists and administrators such as Pierre Vallet, Ailyn Pérez, Ana María Martínez, Greer Grimsley, Luretta Bybee, Craig Terry and Monica Yunus. Each participant will perform in at least one masterclass.

Italian Language Lessons

Italian lessons are offered daily by native Italian speakers Stefano de Peppo and Salvatore Cimmino. ‘Core Knowledge’ classes focus on grammar, vocabulary, idioms and the Italian culture at large – cooking lessons included! ‘Recitativo classes’ will focus on select scenes from Mozart or bel canto operas. Both classes will be taught mostly in Italian and in smaller groups providing maximum amount of interaction and individual attention for each participant.

Acting classes and coachings

Lead by directors Omer Ben Seadia and Marco Nisticò, the acting classes and coachings will address topics such as building a dramatic arch for a full role, movement analysis  from small gestures to big strides, and guided study of acting from famous performers.

Vocal coachings and pianists' class

Each participant will receives two coaching sessions per week. Our coaches, Maestro Pierre Vallet, Kirill Kuzmin, and Sahar Nouri, provide the opportunity for singers to study repertoire in languages including French, Russian and Czech. Pianists will have customized sessions on opera repertoire, coaching skills, conducting, and score study.

MEET THE TEAM

Ailyn Pérez

Soprano

Greer Grimsley

Bass-baritone

Luretta Bybee

Mezzo-soprano

Pierre Vallet

Conductor

Ana María Martínez

Soprano

Sahar Nouri

Pianist / Vocal coach

Craig Terry

Pianist

Soloman Howard

Bass

Monica Yunus

Soprano

Lawrence Brownlee

Tenor

Stefano de Peppo

Bass-baritone

Omer Ben Seadia

Stage director

Marco Nisticò

Baritone / Stage director

Salvatore Cimmino

Italian instructor

Ari Pelto

Conductor

Brian Speck

Guest speaker

Paul Deckard

Guest speaker

Kirill Kuzmin

Pianist / Vocal coach

Bradley Moore

Pianist

Ailyn Pérez

Soprano

Greer Grimsley

Bass-baritone

Luretta Bybee

Mezzo-soprano

Pierre Vallet

Conductor

Ana María Martínez

Soprano

Sahar Nouri

Pianist / Vocal coach

Craig Terry

Pianist

Soloman Howard

Bass

Monica Yunus

Soprano

Lawrence Brownlee

Tenor

Stefano de Peppo

Bass-baritone

Omer Ben Seadia

Stage director

Marco Nisticò

Baritone / Stage director

Salvatore Cimmino

Italian instructor

Ari Pelto

Conductor

Brian Speck

Guest speaker

Paul Deckard

Guest speaker

Kirill Kuzmin

Pianist / Vocal coach

Bradley Moore

Pianist

How do online coachings work?

Making music and doing collaborations online are by no means substitutes for in-person experiences. However, with the current circumstances that prevail the world, we must look at the bright side of what technology allows us to accomplish.
The opportunity to connect with international stars of the opera world and to learn from them, even through video calls, is extremely rare and immensely valuable!
Our faculty members are experienced teachers who bring the same attention to detail and high standards to their online work as they do in person.
Studying online at Dandelion Opera Institute will be easy! Our music staff will provide singers with recorded piano accompaniments for repertoire they plan to study during the program. These recordings enable singers to practice at home and to perform in lessons and coachings without worrying about latency issues.
Needless to say, a reliable and fast Internet connection is a must. We will provide participants with recommendations for high quality microphones and recording devices, however, no special equipment will be required.
We have seen such positive outcome in our previous online work that we are confident our participants will have a worthwhile learning experience this summer.

Zoom

TESTIMONIALS

Although singing to a screen can be strange, Sahar makes you feel as if you are standing in the studio with her. I never imagined I would be so happy with online voice coaching.

Graduate Student at University of Denver

I have made substantial progress despite the transition to online sessions. Ms. Nouri has a way of communicating and inspiring that makes in-person and online coachings extremely meaningful. The excitement and passion she brings combined with her extensive knowledge of operatic repertoire, language, and musicality make her an invaluable educator and colleague.

Graduate Student at University of Denver

PROGRAM DETAILS

Activities

2 weeks of intensive opera studies for singers and pianists:

  • Classes presented daily Monday-Friday
  • Up to to 4.5 hours of instruction each day
  • Virtual concert on the final day of the program: Sat, July 18

Active participants will receive weekly:

  • 4 Italian lessons (minimum)
  • 2 Voice lessons
  • 2 Vocal coachings
  • 2 Acting classes
  • 1 Drama coaching
  • 2 Seminars on arts entrepreneurship
  • 4 Masterclasses (each student will sing in at least one masterclass)
  • Italian conversation and/or one-on-one lessons available per request
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Goals

 Singers/pianists can choose to focus on any of the following goals:

  • Study of a complete role/opera
  • Polishing audition repertoire
  • Study of new repertoire
  • Preparing concert work
  • Study of language and expression

Singers can have lessons with one or more teachers

Pianists will have lessons and classes with conductors and pianists on the faculty on special topics such as:

  • Conducting technique
  • Orchestral score study
  • Coaching skills
  • Audition repertoire
  • Russian diction
  • Czech diction
  • Wagner and Strauss

Participation

Applicants will be considered in two categories:

  • Active participants will receive a total of 40 hour of instructions.
  • Passive participants will be able to observe all group sessions (30 hours total) including Italian lessons, acting classes, masterclasses, and seminars on arts entrepreneurship.

(Voice studio class and happy hours not included for passive participants)

  • Recorded accompaniment can be provided to singers during the program or prior to the start
  • There is no age limit or application fee
  • This program is ideal for young professionals and advanced college students (grad or undergrad)
  • The extensive amount of one-on-one teaching offered, makes the program valuable to participants of varying levels

Fees & payments

Active Participants

$650

40 hours of instruction

Passive Participants

$150

Observe 30 hours of instruction

One Event

$5 -10

Observe a single event

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