Description:
Preparing for an Opera or Musical Theatre performance is by far the biggest undertaking. An audition is usually the first step as a prerequisite to see if you are ready and or a good fit for a particular show. This can be anything from a supernumerary who doesn't sing, a chorus member, to a lead role.
Both types of show require a lot of endurance and so having a good fitness oriented warm up routine is key.
Exercise 1: Classical Tone (Zay, Oh, Ah 1,2,3,4,5-8-5,4,3,2,1)
A warm up for a Classical concert or an Opera is going to require lots of support, back placed resonance, and vibrato. Here is an exercise to add to your routine to condition your voice for this. Make sure to condition your voice like this in short bursts consistently over a long period of time. This will help you build stamina in your voice to be ready for what it takes to sing in an Opera.
Exercise 2: Musical Theater Tone (Nah 1,3,555,3,1)
Singing musical theater also requires lots of support, but more of a forward or mixed placement for resonance for belting, and a combination of straight tone and vibrato. Let's sing an exercise that's more suited for this style of singing
Exercise 3: Character Work
Both of these genres also involve being a character or role. This is a particular kind of acting and so it's important to research or imagine up your character. This may play into your voice a little bit in certain situations too. It’s helpful to ask yourself questions like “How does my character walk, or hold themselves?” Do they have a backstory or history before the moment in the show takes place?” “What is their character arch or journey and development through the show?” I encourage you to write it all down. This will help you make informed and intentional choices about your character and often will help you with your musical expression as you sing.
Both styles also involve some music reading and a lot of memorization so it's something you are going to want to start working on from the very beginning and throughout the process. Don’t wait until the last minute!
Lessons:
- 1: Welcome
- 2:
Song Choice
- 3:
Releasing Physical Stress
- 4:
Performance Anxiety
- 5:
Expression in Song
- 6:
Casual vs. Formal
- 7:
Auditions
- 8:
Choir
- 9:
Opera & Musical Theater
- 10:
Band & Contemporary
- 11:
Recording, Social media and Posting
- 12:
Practice
- 13:
Dress Rehearsal
- 14:
Performance Day
Instructor: Abram Poliakoff
Abram Poliakoff is a singer, guitarist, pianist, teacher, conductor, and composer. He received a Bachelors of Music in Vocal Arts from USC’s Thornton School of Music and has been teaching music for 8 years. He is currently both the Associate Artistic Director and a tenor in the L.A. Choral Lab, which recently released its first studio album Sonic Visions in the fall of 2019. Abram teaches and performs a wide range of genres including Classical, Jazz, Folk and Popular music in the Los Angeles area. He has also sung with the San Francisco Opera and Pocket Opera in the Bay Area. His teaching mission is to help his students utilize vocal technique to find their authentic and healthy voice while maximizing genre flexibility and a naturalness of expression.