Participants enrolled in the National Music Academy 2026, by Varna International 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, including the Capital City of Columbia, as well as the cities of Greenville, and Myrtle Beach along the breathtaking shores of the Grand Strand.
Youth Voice Program
The National Music Academy by Varna International offers rich and versatile voice and choral ensemble training for youth in the Summer of 2026. 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 throughout the country for this incredible experience to grow as a young singer.
Youth applicants can choose between two options to participate in our summer 2026 program. Join us for two weeks, or enjoy four full weeks of singing.
OPTION 1: Sacred Service, Ernest Bloch & From Stage to Screen: An Evening of Broadway Favorites & Hollywood Classics
What's Included:
- Perform in the ensemble in From Stage to Screen: An Evening of Broadway Favorites & Hollywood Classics, under the baton of Maestro Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera
- Perform in the choir of Sacred Service, by Ernest Bloch under the baton of Maestro Gregory Buchalter
- Audition for a solo in the Broadway Revue, with Broadway pianist Alex Lefevre (optional; must apply to be considered)
- One 45-minute voice lesson per week taught by our voice faculty (two lessons total)
- Perform in our Youth Recital (must apply & submit an audition recording)
- Daily ensemble rehearsals with Choir Master
- Vocal masterclasses
- German diction classes (optional)
- French diction classes (optional)
- Make up masterclasses
OPTION 2: Sacred Service, Ernest Bloch; Carmen, Georges Bizet; and From Stage to Screen: An Evening of Broadway Favorites & Hollywood Classics
What's Included:
- Perform in the ensemble in From Stage to Screen: An Evening of Broadway Favorites & Hollywood Classics, under the baton of Maestro Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera
- Perform in the ensemble of the fully staged orchestral opera production Carmen, by Georges Bizet, under the baton of Maestro Gregory Buchalter
- Perform in the choir of Sacred Service, by Ernest Bloch under the baton of Maestro Gregory Buchalter
- Audition for a solo in the Broadway Revue, with Broadway pianist Alex Lefevre (optional; must apply to be considered)
- One 45-minute voice lesson per week taught by our voice faculty
- Perform in our Youth Recital (must apply & submit an audition recording)
- Daily ensemble rehearsals with Choir Master
- Vocal masterclasses
- German diction classes (optional)
- French diction classes (optional)
- Make up masterclasses
Application & Audition Requirements:
Applicants for the Choral Singer Program must submit the following:
- Application
- Resumé (only if auditioning for a solo in the Broadway Revue and/or youth recital)
- Headshot (only if auditioning for a solo in the Broadway Revue and/or youth recital)
- Video recording from within the past 12 months containing:
- One classical piece
- One musical theater piece
Exclusions and Optional Add-Ons:
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)
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
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.
Youth Instrumentalist Program
Participants enrolled in the Youth Instrumental Program of the National Music Academy by Varna International will receive in-depth music instruction from our expert faculty and will benefit from unparalleled performance opportunities alongside world-class expert artists. This program will take place in major cities of 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. Participants accepted in the Youth Instrumental Program will be placed into either the Chamber Instrumental Program or the Orchestral Program based on their audition. Please see below to learn what is included in each program.
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 music coaching to prepare for the chamber recital
- Participation in the Youth Recital
- Perform in the Festival Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera. Participants in the Orchestral Program can choose whether to join the academy for two instrumental works, three instrumental works, two vocal works with orchestra, or all of these listed works:
- Sacred Service, Ernest Bloch
- From Stage to Screen: An Evening of Broadway Favorites & Hollywood Classics
- Carmen, Georges Bizet
- 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 music coaching to prepare for the chamber recital
- Participation in the Youth Recital
OPTION 1: Sacred Service, Ernest Bloch & From Stage to Screen: An Evening of Broadway Favorites & Hollywood Classics
What's Included:
- Perform Sacred Service, by Ernest Bloch with the Festival Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera
- Perform From Stage to Screen: An Evening of Broadway Favorites & Hollywood Classics with the Festival Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera
- Participate in masterclasses led by master teachers on faculty (auditions are required to be chosen to perform)
- 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
OPTION 2: Carmen, Georges Bizet
What's Included:
- Perform in the Festival Orchestra of Carmen, by Georges Bizet, under the baton of Maestro Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera
- One 2-hour group sectional rehearsal led by master principal players
- Participate in masterclasses led by master teachers on faculty (auditions are required to be chosen to perform)
- Participation in the student chamber recital
Application & Audition Requirements:
Applicants for the Youth Instrumental Program must submit the following:
- Application
- Resumé
- Video recording from within the past 12 months containing solo repertoire or works performed with piano accompaniment
Optional Add-Ons & Exclusions:
Accommodations:
Lodging will be in student campus housing in the City of Columbia. 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)
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. The meal plan cannot be modified.
- Greenville and Myrtle Beach: Participants responsible for all meals
Transportation during the academy is included for those that add lodging to their program package, but participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from the airport.
We encourage you to connect with other participants to make arrangements for shared rides during the program. Varna International will facilitate contact between participants to aid in your communication.