Participants enrolled in Varna International Music Academy (VIMA) will receive in-depth music instruction from our expert faculty and will benefit from unparalleled performance opportunities alongside world-class master artists. The program will take place in major cities of South Carolina: the Capital City of Columbia, the city of Greenville, Rock Hill, Myrtle Beach along the breathtaking shores of the Grand Strand, and Georgetown.
Advanced youth instrumentalists are encouraged to apply for the full festival orchestra program. Applicants who pass the auditions process successfully will perform in the Festival Orchestra. The Festival Orchestra will feature internationally recognized artists from prestigious US orchestras, and renowned educational institutions. Participants will be assigned a position in the orchestra under the baton of Maestro Gregory Buchalter, of the Metropolitan Opera and under the tutelage of the lead master artists in the orchestra, in their respective section. Auditions are required for all positions. Participants in this program will also receive coaching and preparation for the chamber music recitals, under the tutelage of master artists.
Instrumentalists Inclusions:
- One 60-minute individual lesson per week with the master teachers
- One 2-hour group sectional rehearsal, led by master principal players
- Two-hour group Chamber music coaching – preparation for instrumental chamber recital
- Master class led by world-class instrumentalists: Keys to Successful Preparation for Performances, sharing from their vast experience on the world stages.
- Participation in chamber student recital
- Play in the festival orchestra (for advanced applicants who pass the audition process successfully).
Instrumentalists Exclusions:
- Lodging on campus in student housing (double occupancy): $290 per week (7 nights) - Optional (participants may make their own lodging arrangements)
- Single occupancy: $450 per week (7 nights)
- Participants are responsible for their own meals and ground transportation.
- We encourage you to connect with other participants to make arrangement for shared rides during the program. Varna International will facilitate contact between participants to aid in your communication.
Vocal & Musical Theater Youth Program
Participants enrolled in Varna International Music Academy (VIMA) will receive in-depth music instruction from our expert faculty and will benefit from unparalleled performance opportunities. The program will take place in major cities of South Carolina: the Capital City of Columbia, the city of Greenville, Rock Hill, Myrtle Beach along the breathtaking shores of the Grand Strand, and Georgetown.
Participants accepted into the Youth Voice and Musical Theater Program will perform in the Broadway Revue under the instruction of Broadway pianist: Alex Lefevre, be featured in the Serenata Italiana voice recital, and participate in choreography classes and Musical Theatre Stage Auditions.
Advanced applicants are encouraged to apply for VIMA’s opera program and audition for roles in the program’s fully staged operas. To be considered, please submit a video audition, recommendation letter, and resume with your application form.
Vocal and Musical Theater artist Inclusions:
- Perform in the Broadway Revue under the instruction and directorship of Broadway pianist, Alex Lefevre.
- Musical Theatre Stage Auditions
A group class that covers audition cuts from a variety of musical theatre genres (Standards, Book Musicals, 1970s/80s/90s, Contemporary, and Pop/Rock). - Musical Theatre Repertoire (Private Sessions)
Vocal coaching sessions to work on song interpretation to be performed in the Broadway Revue. - Musical Theatre Repertoire (Group Sessions)
A group class for MT students to perform in front of their peers and receive feedback as a group. - Musical Theatre Scene Study
A group class where students work in pairs on short scenes from the musical theatre canon transitioning into songs. - Song and Dance
Students will learn the music to a dance number that will then be fully choreographed and performed in the Broadway Revue. - Ensemble Singing
Students will work on a choral piece from the MT canon. The focus will be on sight-singing, voice-leading and harmony. - Dance Technique
Choreographer-led classes (Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Modern, Hip-Hop, etc.) - Perform in one voice recital – Serenata Italiana
- Sing in the festival chorus
- One 60-minute voice lesson per week
- Music rehearsals with Alex Lefevre
- Vocal masterclasses
- Italian language classes
- Masterclass in choreography, movement, stage techniques, stage combat
- Eligible to observe staging, orchestral and all other opera training sessions
Vocal and Musical Theater Artist Exclusions:
- Lodging on campus in student housing (double occupancy): $290 per week (7 nights) - Optional (participants may make their own lodging arrangements)
- Single occupancy: $450 per week (7 nights)
- We encourage you to connect with other participants to make arrangement for shared rides during the program. Varna International will facilitate contact between participants to aid in your communication.
Choral Singers Youth Program
Varna International Music Academy (VIMA) offers rich and versatile choral ensemble training for youth, led by our Maestros and Choir Masters, in Summer 2024. Choral singers will be exposed to rich oratorio and opera repertoire. Join singers from throughout the country in major cities of South Carolina: the Capital City of Columbia, the city of Greenville, Rock Hill, Myrtle Beach along the breathtaking shores of the Grand Strand, and Georgetown.
NOTE: Advanced applicants are encouraged to apply for featured and supporting roles in the academy’s fully staged operas, or Musical Theater Broadway Revue. To be considered, please submit a video audition, recommendation letter, and resume with your application form.
Conductor: Maestro Gregory Buchalter, Metropolitan Opera
Choral Singers Inclusions:
- Perform in the chorus of Messa di Gloria, Giacomo Puccini
- Perform in one voice recital - Serenata Italiana (optional)
- One 60-minute voice lesson per week
- Vocal masterclasses
- Italian language classes (optional)
- Masterclass in movement, stage techniques, stage combat (optional)
- Eligible to observe staging, orchestral and all other opera training sessions
Choral Singers Exclusions:
- Lodging on campus in student housing (double occupancy): $290 per week (7 nights) - Optional (participants may make their own lodging arrangements)
- Single occupancy: $450 per week (7 nights)
- Participants are responsible for their own meals and ground transportation.