Opera & Musical Theater

Participants enrolled in the 25th Annual National Music Academy by Varna International will receive in-depth music instruction from our expert faculty and will benefit from fully staged orchestral performance opportunities alongside master artists. The program will take place in major cities throughout South Carolina, including the Capital City of Columbia, as well as the cities of Greenville, and Myrtle Beach along the breathtaking shores of the Grand Strand.

Accepted participants who choose the Opera or Musical Theater option will perform principal or supporting roles in the opera Carmen or Little Women – The Musical. The productions will be staged and performed with orchestra in some of the finest performance venues of South Carolina under the baton of our Music Director, Maestro Gregory Buchalter from The Metropolitan Opera.

Participants will be eligible to audition for future Varna International Productions in Europe and the USA. Apply for one of the options below and join us for an unforgettable summer of music.


  • Carmen by Georges Bizet
  • Little Women – The Musical by Jason Howland
  • From Stage to Screen: An Evening of Broadway Favorites & Hollywood Classics


  • Opera

    Carmen


    What's Included:

    • Principal or comprimario (supporting) role in one fully staged orchestral performance of Carmen under the baton of Maestro Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera (ROLES MUST BE MEMORIZED PRIOR TO ARRIVAL)
    • Consideration to become a soloist in the orchestral performance of From Stage to Screen: An Evening of Broadway Favorites & Hollywood Classics
    • Perform in the ensemble of From Stage to Screen: An Evening of Broadway Favorites & Hollywood Classics, under the baton of Maestro Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera
    • Perform in one Liederabend recital
    • Perform in one Broadway Revue recital (optional)
    • Perform in the chorus of Sacred Service, by Ernest Bloch
    • Perform in the chorus of Carmen (when not performing a role)
    • Voice lessons and coaching:
      • Lead roles: One 45-minute voice lesson per week, taught by our expert voice faculty
      • Comprimario (supporting) roles: Two 45-minute voice lessons per week, taught by our expert voice faculty
      • One 30–45-minute coaching (depending on the role/solo) per week with one of our master opera & musical theater coaches
    • Music rehearsals with Maestro Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera
    • Staging rehearsals with the stage director
    • Masterclasses
      • Careers in Music Round Table discussion with Rachel Calloway, Director of Spark: Music Leadership at Carolina
      • Vocal Masterclasses with the voice faculty
    • German diction classes
    • French diction classes
    • Movement & acting classes


    Musical Theater

    Little Women & From Stage to Screen: An Evening of Broadway Favorites & Hollywood Classics


    OPTION 1: Little Women & From Stage to Screen: An Evening of Broadway Favorites & Hollywood Classics


    What's Included:

    • Principal or comprimario role in one fully staged orchestral performance of Little Women – The Musical (MUSIC MUST BE MEMORIZED PRIOR TO ARRIVAL)
    • Solo(s) in From Stage to Screen: An Evening of Broadway Favorites & Hollywood Classics concert with full orchestra under the baton of Maestro Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera (MUSIC MUST BE MEMORIZED PRIOR TO ARRIVAL)
    • Perform in the ensemble during the Broadway portion of From Stage to Screen: An Evening of Broadway Favorites & Hollywood Classics under the baton of Maestro Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera
    • Perform in one Broadway Revue recital
    • Perform in the chorus of Sacred Service, by Ernest Bloch
    • Voice lessons and coaching:
      • Lead roles: One 45-minute voice lesson per week, taught by our expert voice faculty
      • Comprimario (supporting) roles: Two 45-minute voice lessons per week, taught by our expert voice faculty
      • One 30–45-minute coaching (depending on the role/solo) per week with one of our master opera & musical theater coaches
    • Music rehearsals with Maestro Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera
    • Staging rehearsals with the stage director
    • Masterclasses
      • Careers in Music Round Table discussion with Rachel Calloway, Director of Spark: Music Leadership at Carolina
      • Vocal Masterclasses with the voice faculty
    • German diction classes
    • French diction classes
    • Movement & acting classes
    • Make up masterclasses


    OPTION 2: From Stage to Screen: An Evening of Broadway Favorites & Hollywood Classics


    What's Included:

    • Solo(s) in From Stage to Screen: An Evening of Broadway Favorites & Hollywood Classics concert with full orchestra under the baton of Maestro Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera (MUSIC MUST BE MEMORIZED PRIOR TO ARRIVAL)
    • Perform in the ensemble during the Broadway portion of From Stage to Screen: An Evening of Broadway Favorites & Hollywood Classics under the baton of Maestro Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera
    • Perform in one Broadway Revue recital
    • Perform in the chorus of Sacred Service, by Ernest Bloch
    • Voice lessons and coaching:
      • Lead roles: One 60-minute voice lesson per week, taught by our expert voice faculty
      • Comprimario (supporting) roles: Two 60-minute voice lessons per week, taught by our expert voice faculty
      • One 30–45-minute coaching (depending on the role/solo) per week with one of our master opera & musical theater coaches
    • Music rehearsals with Maestro Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera
    • Masterclasses
      • Careers in Music Round Table discussion with Rachel Calloway, Director of Spark: Music Leadership at Carolina
      • Vocal Masterclasses with the voice faculty
    • German diction classes
    • French diction classes
    • Movement & acting classes
    • Make up masterclasses


    Optional Add-Ons & Exclusions:

    Accommodations:
    Columbia: Lodging will be in student campus housing.
    Myrtle Beach & the Grand Strand: Lodging will be in host homes and / or Airbnb apartments.
    Participants are welcome to make their own lodging arrangements, if preferred.

    • Double occupancy: $350 per week (7 nights)
    • Single occupancy (single bath NOT included): $525 per week (7 nights)
    Meals:
    Meal availability depends on the city. Please see the breakdown below:
    • Columbia: A meal plan is available for $35 per day. This includes 3 meals each day provided by Columbia International University (CIU). Participants who opt for the meal plan must pay for the entire service. Dietary restrictions will be accommodated.
    • Greenville and Myrtle Beach: Participants responsible for all meals.
    Ground Transportation:
    Transportation is included for those that add lodging to their program package, but participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from the airport.