MARYLAND OPERA STUDIO CURRICULUM
The Maryland Opera Studio curriculum is designed to prepare students for the current professional environment. During your two years in the studio you will train musically, dramatically and physically to be prepared for work in the ever-changing operatic field.
Master of Music in Opera Performance
First Year of Study
Coursework is devoted to musical coachings and voice lessons, scene study and character exploration through in-depth study and creative exploration. Performance repertoire is selected to further bolster individual strengths and to address areas of weakness.
Performance Opportunities
- New Work Reading
- Scenes Program
Coursework
- Applied Lessons
- Diction (English and Italian)
- Vocal Pedagogy
- Opera Techniques
- Acting for Singers
- Movement for Singers
- Scene Study
- Stage Combat
- Weekly Coachings
Additional Required Course
- Seminar in Musical Research
Second Year of Study
Further exploration of skills introduced in the first-year curriculum are further addressed with a multitude of acting classes, all of which further focus on the preparation and performance of two complete roles. Singers do not audition for roles as repertoire is chosen to meet the needs of each class with guaranteed casting in the fall and spring opera productions.
Performance Opportunities
- Two fully staged roles performed with orchestra
Coursework
- Applied Lessons
- Diction (French and German)
- Opera Repertoire
- Opera Techniques
- Costuming
- Mask
- Mime
- Movement for Singers
- Scene Study
- Shakespeare
Additional Required Courses
- Theory Course
- Opera History
Doctor of Musical Arts in Opera Performance
First Year of Study
Those students earning their D.M.A. begin their first year with a focus on academic coursework, as well as give one recital, and join the Maryland Opera Studio for the second and third years of study.
Coursework Includes
- Vocal Pedagogy
- Music Literature
- Theory/Analysis
- Music History
Second Year of Study
In the second year, doctoral candidates join the Maryland Opera Studio. Coursework is devoted to musical coachings and voice lessons, scene study and character exploration through in-depth study and creative exploration. Performance repertoire is selected to further bolster individual strengths and to address areas of weakness.
Performance Opportunities
- New Work Reading
- Scenes Program
Coursework Includes
- Applied Lessons
- Diction (English and Italian) as applicable
- Opera Techniques
- Acting for Singers
- Movement for Singers
- Scene Study
- Stage Combat
- Weekly Coachings
Third Year of Study
Doctoral candidates continue with the Maryland Opera Studio for their third year of study. Further exploration of skills introduced in the previous year’s curriculum are addressed with a multitude of acting classes, all of which focus on the preparation and performance of two complete roles. Singers do not audition for roles, as repertoire is chosen to meet the needs of each class with guaranteed casting in the fall and spring opera productions.
Performance Opportunities
- Two fully staged roles performed with orchestra
Coursework
- Applied Lessons
- Diction (French and German) as applicable
- Opera Techniques
- Costuming
- Mask
- Mime
- Movement for Singers
- Scene Study
- Shakespeare