Voice - AIMS Graz

World-class training for singers

The AIMS Vocal Program prepares you for a professional career in opera or on the concert stage. In six weeks of intensive study, you’ll join the Opera Studio or Lieder Studio, receiving world-class instruction from professionals working at the top of their craft.

Opera Studio participants study operatic repertoire, working closely with European and American opera coaches, conductors and stage directors. Lieder Studio participants primarily study German Lieder and work with acclaimed professional coaches and pianists.

ALL LEVELS ACCEPTED!
Undergraduate (all majors accepted)
Post Graduate
Emerging Professionals
Music Educators

Your fellow participants will range from students working on undergraduate degrees to professionals seeking to reach the next level of their career. We welcome singers 18 years of age and older and singers from all countries are welcome to audition for AIMS.

View Audition Guide

The Cost

Tuition:	$7,250 USD (due May 15)
Audition Fee:	$50 (due at audition registration – no other money is due until after acceptance into the program)
Application Fee:	$250 (non-refundable, submitted with application after acceptance)
Tuition Deposit:	$300 (due at time of acceptance, applied toward cost of tuition)
Administrative Fee:	$75

Included in your tuition:

- - - - Housing in suites of 2-3 single private sleeping rooms with shared bathroom.
      - Breakfast daily
      - Lunch Monday – Friday

Not Included:

- - - - Roundtrip airfare
      - $85 Health Insurance Fee (This fee is required from all participants and provides health insurance while in Austria.)
        
        Health Insurance Fee for participants whose citizenship requires a travel visa to enter Austria is $100.
      - $100 Travel Visa Processing Fee (This fee is only for participants whose citizenship requires a travel visa to enter Austria.)
      - Incidental expenses ($1000 to $1500 on average)
        
        Evening meals and snacks & beverages
        
        Streetcar/bus tickets and travel within Austria
        
        German text book, photocopies of music
        
        Incidental expenses like laundry
        
        Meistersinger Competition fee

Click HERE to read the AIMS Limits of Responsibility

Opera Studio Curriculum

The Opera Studio program is for singers finishing degrees to those already working professionally. The curriculum is designed to build the skills and discipline that will help you to succeed in the business of singing as a profession. Courses focus on the standard operatic repertoire with emphasis on the works of Mozart and Strauss. Operetta is offered as an optional elective. Opera Studio participants are eligible to participate in the Meistersinger Competition.

The curriculum includes:

- - Individual voice lessons (twice weekly)
  - Individual coaching on arias (twice weekly)
  - Conversational German (Monday through Friday)
  - Diction coaching in German, as well as Italian, French, English and Russian
  - Master classes
  - Audition training seminar
  - Acting classes and individual coaching
  - Musical/dramatic preparation

Students may receive certification or grades in courses and apply for academic credit at the institutions in which they are enrolled.

View course descriptions

Lieder Studio Curriculum

The Lieder Studio program is designed to build the skills and discipline that will help you to succeed in the business of singing as a profession. The curriculum focuses on preparing and performing repertoire of the German Lied, including studies in German language, German diction, and the poetry and composers of German Lieder. The program culminates in two performances of a Liederabend in Graz. Participants may also study and perform with the operetta program. All singers in the Lieder Studio are eligible for the Harold Heiberg Liedersänger Preis.

The curriculum includes:

- - Individual voice lessons (twice weekly)
  - Individual coaching on German Lieder (twice weekly)
  - Conversational German (Monday through Friday)
  - Diction coaching in German, as well as Italian, French, English and Russian
  - Master classes
  - Audition training seminar
  - Musical/dramatic preparation

View course descriptions

Performance & Auditions

Performance and Audition Opportunities

There are many performance opportunities at AIMS – we produce more than 30 concerts and events each summer in major venues throughout the city and the region. Advanced participants may be asked to audition for artist agents.

Opera Studio performances include recitals, special events and master classes accompanied by piano or small ensembles. Opera Studio participants may also perform on concerts with the AIMS Festival Orchestra, including the Meistersinger Vocal Competition, where finalists perform in a gala concert for agents and the general public.

Lieder Studio participants perform in Liederabende, accompanied by piano. Lieder Studio singers are eligible for the Harold Heiberg Liedersänger Preis, presented annually to the outstanding Lieder singer. The Liedersänger prize winner is chosen by a panel of faculty members based on the final Liederabende performances of summer. The prize carries a cash award will be presented to the winner at the Meistersinger concert.

Participants in both programs are eligible to perform in Operetta concerts, including those with orchestra.

View complete list of concerts

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available for qualified applicants. Scholarship awards are offered at time of acceptance.

Learn more in conversation with the AIMS representative at your audition or by contacting the AIMS office at [email protected].

Fund your AIMS Experience

Hundreds of participants have successfully funded their AIMS experience through fundraising. Learn how you, too, can raise the money to help cover the cost of your travel and tuition.

View Fundraising guide