The ‘Vincerò Academy’ Journey: Carmen Edition
Photo Credit: Chris Singer
As the deadline for the final session of the season at Vincerò Academy approaches, we interview Abdiel Vázquez (Founder & Artistic Director), Ailyn Pérez (Artistic Advisor & Faculty Member) and the five winners of the 360° of Opera Scholarships for the Carmen session.
As the Founder of the Academy, how do you feel seeing your ideas becoming a reality with this inaugural Season of Vincerò Academy? Has any angle of the experience exceeded your expectations so far?
Abdiel Vázquez:
After months of planning, working around the clock, and sleepless nights, the most rewarding thing has been to see young singers from literally ALL OVER THE WORLD connecting with the greatest performers and coaches of our time through the one thing that really connects us all: music. Opera is alive more than ever, music always finds its way, and I think Vincerò Academy is just one of many examples of music just opening its own path and us following humbly and devotely wherever it may lead us.
Probably what has surprised me the most is how much real, detailed, and enriching work can be done online. Sometimes it is, to an extent, even more focused and productive than in-person work, since a virtual classroom forces us to convey ideas clearly, to strive to be understood, and to make the most out of every minute. It is also quite inspiring to see the great artists embracing this new format and sharing their knowledge and wisdom with such openness and generosity.
Thank you 360° of Opera for your faith in this great project and for supporting young singers everywhere by making these scholarships available!
Photo Credit: Dario Acosta
As an international opera star, you have such extensive experience performing these roles in worldwide stages. What do you enjoy most when passing on your personal knowledge of these particular roles to the students?
Ailyn Pérez:
THANK YOU 360° of Opera for such a great question!
I must say that having access to a great music education program very early in my life, truly set me on the performance path. Therefore, I have always felt the enthusiasm and knowing in my heart, that one day, I would be able to pay my experience forward by teaching!
I offer with great joy to those interested, personal insights about a character that I’ve learned through performance experience, or by working with great colleagues, and having many times needed to apply problem solving skills for technical or professional reasons.
I love and admire the courage it takes someone to sing and to be a storyteller. One of my favorite elements of teaching is listening to the students sing, and then offering specific steps regarding the fundamentals like attention to text declamation, rhythm, and ease of musical phrasing. It brings great joy to listen to the nature of their voices, and support that unique nature within the frame of the role.
I believe anyone who feels the connection to sing opera and is willing to learn and put in the work it takes to follow their voice and heart, can indeed grow and feel the inclusive nature of music.
It takes a great deal of time and patience, to bring a role to life, but I think so much of the process is born in the heart, and articulated to success by working with coaches and teachers who nurture the talent.
Dear Scholarship Winners, what has been the biggest lesson you have learned at Vincerò Academy so far?
Lygia López Cedillo:
Honestly, after every single Masterclass or group class I always have this deep feeling of achievement. First, because it's reallly encouraging to meet great coaches and artists who are willing to share their wisdom and life experiences but most of all, their deep love to music.
Second, I've seen how much all the singers of the Accademy have grown and I love the support we all give to each other.
Third, Maestro Abdiel is always asking a little bit more from us in terms of professionalism and commitment to the score, the composer and the characters. He never leaves anything out!
I wish I could say there's one single thing that has changed me during our sessions but there are so many, I'm definitely not going to be the same person after this experience. Maybe we are just learning how to be more engaged with ourselves, how to go deeper in everything that we do and therefore grow as artists.
Daniela Yurrita
Being in this program has highlighted the fact that, no matter the circumstances: "when there's a will, there's a way". Being able to deeply study and put together an opera in times of a world pandemic, and doing it alongside people from all over the world and guided by top professionals with the highest work standards, has been truly inspiring and remarkable.
Vincerò has taught me that the present and future of Opera lies in our hands, and that we have to find innovative ways to keep our beautiful artform alive. I'm truly thankful for this experience and to 360° of Opera for their support and for helping me get there!
Fernando Cisneros
Vincerò Academy has reinforced a very specific thought in me. Music is NOT for quitters. The Academy's core is made up of people who know how to deal with and handle unexpected situations or circumstances because they are prepared, they work hard, and they have been working very hard for many years. Good musicians and real artists will be able to overcome these present circumstances because we have always tried our best and will keep doing the same. Work hard and life will reward you. I want to publicly thank both Vincerò Academy and 360º of Opera for their support and for this wonderful opportunity. Supporting each other and helping young artists move forward in their careers is what the opera world needs now more than ever.
Shanley Horvitz
The biggest lesson I have learned at Vincerò Academy so far is that you can never have enough role study! That no matter the size of the role you must always work slow and keep pace. It is easier said than done! But with mentors to guide you like we do in this program you can see how a major role like Carmen can be accomplished if you commit yourself to the study!
Erin Moll
The biggest lesson I've learned so far is time management skills when it comes to preparing such a large role! Vincero has helped me to figure out how to take apart each section, determine how much time I need to spend to get the language working up to speed, the notes and rhythms in my head and finally the music in my throat! After I've learned each section, I'm able to coach it with a member of the top notch faculty! The pacing of the program is challenging but manageable and I feel I'm on track to have this role polished by the finish line. As Mignon Dunn said in her workshop "Singing is not a secret; it's a habit" This nugget of wisdom really stuck with me!
360° of Opera wholeheartedly congratulates all artists involved in the Academy, from faculty to students, for their outstanding work during these unprecedented times!
La Traviata is the final session of the season at Vincerò Academy and the application deadline is Friday, January 22, 2021.
Applicants can be considered for the 360° of Opera Scholarships until this deadline.
To apply for these Scholarships, please follow the guidelines on this article: https://www.360ofopera.com/blog/vincero-academy-scholarships
In bocca al lupo!