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 the beautiful regions of Varna, Bulgaria & Northern Italy in July 2025.
Youth Voice Program
Varna International Music Academy (VIMA) offers rich and versatile vocal and choral ensemble training for youth in Summer 2025. Applicants accepted into the Youth Voice Program will get the opportunity to train under our master voice faculty, our choir master, and Maestro Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera. Vocalists in our Youth Program will be exposed to rich oratorio, opera, and musical theater repertoire. Join singers from across the globe for this incredible experience to grow as a young singer.
Youth applicants can choose between three options to participate in our summer 2025 program in Bulgaria & Italy. Join us for one and a half weeks, two and a half weeks, or come to enjoy all four weeks of singing.
NOTE: Advanced applicants are encouraged to apply for VIMA’s opera program and audition for roles in the program’s fully staged opera or musical theater productions. To be considered for a role, please submit a video audition, recommendation letter, and resumé with your application form. Otherwise, only a resumé is required.
Rossini’s Petite messe solennelle (Bulgaria & Italy)
What's Included:
- Perform in the chorus of Petite messe solennelle by Gioachino Rossini under the baton of Maestro Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera
- One 45-minute voice lesson per week taught by a Metropolitan Opera singer
- Perform in our Youth Recital (must apply & submit an audition recording)
- Daily ensemble rehearsals with Choir Master
- Vocal masterclasses
- Italian diction classes (optional)
Suor Angelica, Gianni Schicchi, & A Grand Night for Singing (Italy only)
What's Included:
- Perform in the ensemble of the fully staged (including scenery & costumes) of the operas Suor Angelica & Gianni Schicchi by Giacomo Puccini under the baton of Maestro Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera
- Perform in the ensemble of A Grand Night for Singing under the baton of Maestro Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera
- One 45-minute voice lesson per week taught by Metropolitan Opera singers
- Perform in our Youth Recital (must apply & submit an audition recording)
- Daily ensemble rehearsals with Choir Master
- Vocal masterclasses
- Italian diction classes (optional)
Rossini’s Petite messe solennelle, Suor Angelica, Gianni Schicchi, & A Grand Night for Singing (Bulgaria & Italy)
What's Included:
- Perform in the chorus of Petite messe solennelle by Gioachino Rossini under the baton of Maestro Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera
- Perform in the ensemble of the fully staged (including scenery & costumes) of the operas Suor Angelica & Gianni Schicchi by Giacomo Puccini under the baton of Maestro Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera
- Perform in the ensemble of A Grand Night for Singing under the baton of Maestro Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera
- One 45-minute voice lesson per week taught by Metropolitan Opera singers
- Perform in our Youth Recital (must apply & submit an audition recording)
- Daily ensemble rehearsals with Choir Master
- Vocal masterclasses
- Italian diction classes (optional)
Optional Add-Ons & Exclusions:
Accommodations:
Participants can choose between making their own lodging arrangements or adding on one of the following hotel options to your overall package.
- 3-Star Hotel Package: $890 per week (TOTAL COST: $3560)
- 7-nights lodging in double occupancy
- Ground transportation from the hotel to the conservatory once daily
- Ground transportation from the hotel to performances
- Two meals daily (breakfast & dinner)
- 4-Star Hotel Package: $1090 per week (TOTAL COST: $4360)
- 7-nights lodging in double occupancy
- Ground transportation from the hotel to the conservatory once daily
- Ground transportation from the hotel to performances
- Two meals daily (breakfast & dinner)
An additional $10 per day will be added to your tuition price to cover all tips & gratuities on provided services & personnel. Air Travel:
Participants are responsible for arranging all air travel. This includes international flights to and from VIMA as well as the domestic flight from Bulgaria to Italy during the program.
Youth Instrumentalist Program
Participants enrolled in Varna International Music Academy’s (VIMA) Youth Program will receive in-depth music instruction from our expert faculty and will benefit from unparalleled performance opportunities alongside world-class expert artists. This program is being held in the beautiful region of Northern Italy and is open to instrumentalists seeking to develop a professional performing career as an orchestral and chamber musician. Participants of VIMA’s Youth Instrumental Program will be accepted into either the Chamber Instrumental Program or the Orchestral Program based on their audition.
Chamber Instrumental Program: These participants will get the opportunity to perform in chamber music and recital opportunities. You will also receive coachings and lessons under the tutelage of master artists.
Orchestral Program: These participants will get the opportunity to perform with the Festival Orchestra, which will feature internationally recognized artists from prestigious 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 within their respective sections. You will also receive coaching and preparation for the recitals under the tutelage of master artists. Instrumentalists who pass the audition process successfully will get the opportunity to perform in the following works:
Dates & Tuition Information:
What’s Included in the Orchestral Program:
- Perform in the Festival Orchestra of Petite mess solennelle under the baton of Maestro Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera
- Perform in the Festival Orchestra for Suor Angelica & Gianni Schicchi under the baton of Maestro Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera
- Perform in the Festival Orchestra for A Grand Night for Singing: A Musical Revue of Rodgers & Hammerstein under the baton of Maestro Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera
- One 45-minute individual lesson per week with a master teacher
- One 2-hour group sectional rehearsal led by master principal players
- Two-hour group chamber music coaching to prepare for the instrumental chamber recital
- Participation in the Youth Recital
What’s Included in the Chamber Instrumental Program:
- Perform in chamber music opportunities
- One 45-minute individual lesson per week with a master teacher
- One 2-hour group sectional rehearsal led by master principal players
- Two-hour group chamber music coaching to prepare for the instrumental chamber recital
- Participation in the Youth Recital
Optional Add-Ons & Exclusions:
Accommodations:
Participants can choose between making their own lodging arrangements or adding on one of the following hotel options to your overall package.
- 3-Star Hotel Package: $890 per week (TOTAL COST: $3560)
- 7-nights lodging in double occupancy
- Ground transportation from the hotel to the conservatory once daily
- Ground transportation from the hotel to performances
- Two meals daily (breakfast & dinner)
- 4-Star Hotel Package: $1090 per week (TOTAL COST: $4360)
- 7-nights lodging in double occupancy
- Ground transportation from the hotel to the conservatory once daily
- Ground transportation from the hotel to performances
- Two meals daily (breakfast & dinner)
An additional $10 per day will be added to your tuition price to cover all tips & gratuities on provided services & personnel. Air Travel:
Participants are responsible for arranging all air travel. This includes international flights to and from VIMA as well as the domestic flight from Bulgaria to Italy during the program.