"My time in the Houston Grand Opera Studio was invaluable in bridging the gap between my college/conservatory education, and my leap onto the professional stage. The Studio provided every opportunity for me to succeed, guiding the growth of my artistry and giving me the chance to develop my own voice in a most demanding field. I will always consider Houston Grand Opera my home stage." Joyce DiDonato - HGO Studio Artist, 1996-98
Studio Artists Fiona Murphy, Tamara Wilson, and Rebekah Camm in the April, 2006 production of Monteverdi's The Coronation of Poppea.
One of HGO's most visible and valued projects is its young artist development program, the Houston Grand Opera Studio. Founded in 1977 by composer Carlisle Floyd and HGO's then-General Director David Gockley, the mission of Houston Grand Opera Studio is to provide career development for young artists who have demonstrated potential to make major contributions to the opera/musical theater profession. The Studio's goal is to develop well-rounded professionals prepared for all performance aspects in the fields of opera and music theater and in all genres: traditional European operas, contemporary opera and works of musical theater by American composers from diverse cultural backgrounds, innovative interpretations of the standard repertoire, recitals, concerts with orchestra, and fully-staged productions.
Houston Grand Opera's mainstage programming and annual Studio performances provide members with the widest range of performance opportunities and styles. The Houston Grand Opera Studio provides the necessary time, training and experience to aid each member's artistic development from promising student to practicing professional.
The Training and Development Process Each season Houston Grand Opera Studio provides eight to twelve young artists with the opportunity to study and perform under a highly respected professional staff of teachers and performers. Studio artists commit themselves to an intense individualized study program while in residence in Houston from September through May. Classes in voice, acting, stage movement, diction and languages are scheduled regularly. Extensive individual coachings are part of the daily work and career counseling sessions are provided throughout the year. Special classes focusing on topics such as fight choreography, audition techniques, taxes and personal finance, Alexander technique, performer's stress management, public relations, and agent representation are conducted by experts in their field. Adjunct instructors include master coaches and conductors.
The Studio requires its artists to commit to the standards and demands of the profession. Because the training process is progressive and each member's artistic development is unique, the Studio program allows artists to continue their training over a two to three year period with opportunities for advanced study abroad. The mainstage performance exposure enables Studio artists to be reviewed individually by local, national and international press.
Performing Experience Based upon their level of ability, the artists are assigned supporting roles in HGO's mainstage productions. Additional performance experience includes principal roles in student matinees, study cover assignments of major roles and paid public engagements for community outreach. These assignments provide the opportunity to learn major roles, expand repertoire and demonstrate individual abilities. Other opportunities include Studio-produced recitals, concerts, and occassionally, full scale productions.
The Studio recognizes performance experience with newer forms of music theater and in innovative stagings of standard repertoire as an essential training element in developing well-rounded professionals. Given HGO's commitment to commissioning and producing new works and the success of its Opera New World program, Studio artists are provided opportunities to create new roles and premiere new pieces.
Performing and Networking Studio artists interact with professional singers, conductors, stage directors, designers and technicians of national and international acclaim and follow a standard rehearsal and production schedule for a major opera company. Houston Grand Opera arranges auditions for Studio artists throughout the year with artist management, visiting general directors of other opera companies, and guest conductors and stage directors.
