Getting credit for courses
AIMS issues course credit on the basis of hours attended, pass/fail, etc. The acceptability of credit for AIMS’ courses is at the discretion of the student’s school. AIMS is not an accredited institution. Courses are college and graduate level and may be accepted by your school. The registrar’s office may request additional information from AIMS as necessary.
Courses and Classes for all participants:
These lectures will be presented on Mondays and Wednesdays and cover a variety topics. Lectures will be presented by a variety of faculty members.
Topics often include:
- The Art of the Recitative
- Articulations in Singing
- EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) for Singers: Performance Anxiety and Preparation
- Vocal Health
- and other lectures on specific arias.
Please check the Events Calendar and the Henry Pleasants Lecture Series poster at the school for more information.
Three levels of instruction are offered. Study of the German language using basic conversations related to everyday life for musicians and, in higher levels, vocabulary and conversation related to auditioning in German and advanced conversation, in general. Classes meet five times weekly.
The Stage Presence Workshop is designed to improve and master the art of flawless stage presence. The workshop includes practical tips, tactics and exercises regarding proper bowing, walking, and sitting on stage. Additionally the class will focus on developing and exercising stage savoir-vivre for men and women, including choosing the proper wardrobe, makeup and hair style for various events and venues. The workshop strives to increase the positive visual perception of the performer by the audience, and to help to diminish the performer’s insecurity and stage fright.
This class is taught by Joanna Ruszala.
Courses and Classes for Singers:
Individual instruction in the continuing development of the singer’s vocal ability with emphasis on building a technique appropriate to the repertoire suitable to the singer’s voice classification. Repertoire is chosen in consultation with the singer’s vocal coach.
Voice Studio Lab: Members of the voice studios meet to sing for others in the class and discuss topics of mutual interest.
For a list of voice teachers, please visit http://aimsgraz.com/the-program/meet-the-faculty/ >Voice Teacher
Individual coaching of selected repertoire, style and musical advice in the preparation of the standard operatic repertoire. Coaching Studio Lab: Members of the coaching studios meet to sing for others in the class and discuss topics of mutual interest.
For a list of opera vocal coaches, please visit http://aimsgraz.com/the-program/meet-the-faculty/ >Vocal Coach Opera
Individual coaching in the standard Lied repertoire with emphasis on attaining a professional artistic level of performance. Two final Lieder Concerts are presented by each studio.
Lieder Studio Lab: Group study and performance of Lieder and discussion pertaining thereto.
For a list of Lieder vocal coaches, please visit http://aimsgraz.com/the-program/meet-the-faculty/ >Vocal Coach – Lieder
Study of selected lyrics to enhance understanding and love of the poetry of the special repertoire of the Lieder concerts and highlights of classcal Lied repertoire.
A study of techniques for expressive performance and for creating a character onstage. Through work on arias and lieder in class sessions and individual coaching, participants learn how to effectively prepare for a performance, engage an audience and inhabit a character. These classes provide detailed instruction in acting, movement, physical expression and analysis of text and character. Taught by experienced teachers and packed with hands-on technique seldom found in university or conservatory settings, these acting classes are among the most popular and unique features of studying at AIMS.
For a list of acting teachers, please visit http://aimsgraz.com/the-program/meet-the-faculty/ > Acting
Individual instruction as often as needed in proper pronunciation and enunciation of the German language for singers.
For a list of diction teachers, please visit http://aimsgraz.com/the-program/meet-the-faculty/
Individual coaching as often as needed in proper pronunciation and enunciation of these languages for singers.
For a list of diction teachers, please visit http://aimsgraz.com/the-program/meet-the-faculty/ >Diction
Professional preparation for auditioning in English and German. A series of lectures, master classes, discussions, and mock auditions for opera careers and graduate school admission. Agent auditions for selected qualified participants.
For a list of teachers, please visit http://aimsgraz.com/the-program/meet-the-faculty/ > Audition Training Seminar
Style remains a central challenge for most opera singers. The challenge is to integrate their physical characterizations with behavior particular to the historical period of the opera. When the movement conventions of a period are markedly different from their own, singer’s’ attempts to incorporate them often result in stilted movement choices: these choices appear “stuck on.” The irony is, every opera singer has to work “in style” with little or no instruction.
This class is an introduction on how and why period movement and style is important to you as a singing actor. It will give you hints and techniques on how to make period costume and accessories work FOR you.
If you are interested in singing for agents at the end of the summer, you do not want to miss this class! Come and learn how to format your resume in German for agent auditions and be provided with examples of good German resumes.
Courses and Classes for Collaborative Pianists:
Study of the instrument with the goal of further developing the pianist’s technical and interpretive abilities in playing vocal repertoire (Lieder) and collaborating with vocalists.
This class is taught by James Douglass.
Class discussion of the challenges common to keyboard players regarding the vocal repertoire and collaborating with vocalists.
This class is taught by James Douglass.
Teaches the techniques of accompanying/collaborative and preparing Lied repertoire. Taught in conjunction with the Coach-Collaborative Pianist Seminar.
Lectures and master classes for pianists who wish to become professional coaches and/or collaborative pianists.
The pianist will be assigned a number of singers to accompany/collaborate in classes and performances.
