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Many extraordinarily gifted young operatic
singers complete their formal training but are not yet fully
prepared for a career. Lack of good training in many areas,
lack of funds for further study, limited performance
opportunities, and lack of guidance have stymied many of
these extremely qualified singers in the pursuit of their
careers, thus depriving us all of their potential greatness.
Based on the recommendations of a 20-25
member Panel of Experts, Career Bridges provides grants for
coaching in voice, diction, language, repertory and stage
deportment. Further grants include career guidance,
performance opportunities, and assistance in career
promotion. We continue to provide mentoring, evaluating and
further grants for a period of three years.
We have successfully launched our Career
Bridges Outreach program to the schools, titled “Kids Love
Opera!”. In the past we have sung for over 15 schools in
Westchester County, NY, reaching more than 4,000 “kids”. The
response has been overwhelmingly positive. With our
performances, we are fulfilling three functions: giving
performance opportunities and income to our grant winners,
introducing the world of opera to children who have for the
most part never heard classical music before, and creating a
new audience for opera.
Our Mission
To help young opera singers launch their
careers.
Uniquely Career Bridges
For 12 years, we have mentored over 110 grant
winners in our unique 3-year Mentoring Program. Our program
provides the “bridge” from the classroom world to the
professional community for our winners – many of whom are
now on their way to productive singing careers around the
world.
Our Bridge
We provide 3 years of grants to each
individual singer based on the recommendations of our
25-member panel comprised of internationally recognized
experts in repertory & vocal coaching; conductors; stage
directors; artist managers/agents; opera company
impresarios, et al. These grants include personal coaching
in diction, language, repertory, and stage development.
Further grants include career guidance, performance
opportunities, opera workshops, and assistance in career
promotions.
Our Program
Each grant winner is eligible for grants for
a total of 3 years, and is re-evaluated by our Panel of
Experts annually. During these years we provide ongoing
counseling, paid performance opportunities, concerts, school
performances, and workshops in which our winners get their
most valuable training – in that they bring to life on the
stage what they have learned in the studio. Our artistic
staff mentor these performances.
We are committed to providing the unique
level of tangible and practical support that will enable our
young singers the opportunity to fulfill their potential and
achieve the greatness that will enhance all our lives.
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