HGO Studio Underwriting Opportunities 2011-2012

For more information about HGO Studio underwriting opportunities, or more information about the instructors listed below, please contact Ashley Parks, Manager of Individual Giving at 713-546-0235.

FULL-TIME HGO STAFF (2 positions) - $50,000 each

Laura Canning, Director of the Studio - AVAILABLE
Ms. Canning is responsible for the long-term planning and strategic management of the HGO Studio. She helps Studio artists with career management and development. She is responsible for recruiting artists to the program, through her appearances on competition judging panels (such as The Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and The Richard Tucker Award) and her connections with music schools and conservatories.

Eric Melear, Music Director of the HGO Studio - Mr. and Mrs. Albert B. Alkek Chair
Mr. Melear returns to Houston Grand Opera after a year on the music staff of the Wiener Staatsopera (Vienna State Opera). He was former associate conductor/assistant chorus masters at HGO and head of music staff and studio manager at Wolf Trap Opera. An HGO Studio alum himself, he oversees the selection and pedagogy of the Studio artists. He gives them individual coaching, music advice, and discusses repertoire development. He also programs Studio concerts and recitals.

VOCAL COACHES (3 positions) - $25,000 each

Bethany Self - AVAILABLE

Peter Pasztor - Sponsored by Louisa Stude Sarofim

Craig Kier - Mr. and Mrs. James A. Elkins, Jr. Endowed Chair

Full time HGO staff members Peter Pasztor, Bethany Self, and Craig Kier, coach Studio artists (both singers and pianists) individually on specific pieces of music, concentrating on interpretation and diction. Each artist works with a vocal coach, for approximately one hour every day, on forthcoming roles for HGO as well as new arias and future repertoire. Vocal coaches also work with the pianists on score analysis and how to turn an orchestral score into a piano piece in order to help singers prepare a work of music. Because the coaches work with the artists on a regular basis over two to three years in the Studio, the coaches understand their history and long-term goals and can participate in the long, hard process of slow improvement.

DIRECTOR OF STUDIO SHOWCASE (1 position) - $20,000

John Cox - AVAILABLE
Director John Cox returns this season to direct the HGO Studio Showcase. John Cox’s productions are seen regularly at HGO, most recently with Ariadne auf Naxos. He was Director of Productions for Glyndebourne, Artistic Director of Scottish Opera and Production Director for the Royal Opera, Covent Garden.
 

DIRECTOR OF VOCAL INSTRUCTION (1 position) - $10,000

Stephen King - Laura Lee Blanton Award through the Scurlock Foundation

Director of Vocal Instruction Stephen King focuses on the physical technique of singing. He meets with artists individually each week to work on the “nuts and bolts” of singing, such as breathing technique, positioning of sound and methods of sound production.

GUEST COACHES (4-5 per year) – $5,000 each

Corradina Caporello, Warren Jones - AVAILABLE

Deborah Birnbaum - James J. Drach Endowed Chair

Kathleen Kelly - Sponsored by Mr. Ralph Burch

Pierre Vallet - The Evans Family Endowed Chair

Guest Coaches are well–respected experts in their fields and coach regularly at the best opera houses around the world from The Met to Vienna. They offer focused instruction in a particular subject area and are able to bring a fresh perspective and “eureka moments” to the Studio artists. They teach group masterclasses as well as individual one-to-one sessions in their time at HGO (usually between three and five days).

LANGUAGE INSTRUCTORS (4 positions) - $5,000 each

Jonathan Ludwig, Russian - AVAILABLE

Richard Spüler, German - In Honor of Jason Alexander Smith

Enrica Vagliani Gray, Italian - Sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Michael A. Weill

Brigette Crull, French - Sponsored by Jennifer Sickler

Every Studio artist has two hours of one-to-one language classes a week. Individual artists choose which languages to study (some focus on one language, while others may divide the two hours into two or more languages). The lessons focus on grammar, conversation, and vocabulary. The individualized attention allows the teacher to tailor the lessons to each artist’s learning style. Understanding the language helps the artist not only with pronunciation, but with understanding the libretto, and communicating meaning on stage. It is also a vital tool for working successfully abroad. Artists can request multiple languages. We also offer ESL for non-native English speakers.

DRAMA COACHES (2-3 coaches per year) - $2,000-$3,000 each

José Maria Condemi, Guest Dramatic Coach - Sponsored by Marsha L. Montemayor

Christina Keefe, Drama Instructor - Sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. William H. Guggolz, Jr.

In group classes, drama coaches focus on acting skills such as text analysis, focus, gesture and dramatic methods. During individual lessons, the coach will work on a specific piece the artist is preparing and put those skills learned in group classes into practice, in order to prepare for auditions, competitions, or other performance opportunities.

MOVEMENT INSTRUCTOR (1 position) - $3,000

Sara Draper - AVAILABLE
Sara Draper, a dance and movement specialist, works in one-to-one sessions with specific artists to encourage body and breathing awareness and help them appear more relaxed in performance.

PIANO INSTRUCTOR (1 position) – $3,000

Timothy Hester - AVAILABLE
Piano teacher Timothy Hester works specifically on pianistic technique and interpretation with the Studio pianists.

STUDIO BENEFACTOR - $1,500
A contribution of $1,500 designated towards the HGO Studio supports the general operations of the program.

For more information about HGO Studio underwriting opportunities, or more information about the instructors listed above, please contact Ashley Parks, Manager of Individual Giving at 713-546-0235.