The Office of the Provost, Graduate and Professional Studies is pleased to announce the launch of a non-credit bearing professional certification program in Opera Direction.
Conceptualized by dawn pierce, Associate Professor, Music Performance in our School of Music, the certificate program will prepare current stage directors, performers, operatic singers, or teachers with a career interest in opera direction to work at every level of the opera world.
For our inaugural year we are thrilled to be partnering with esteemed opera director Chuck Hudson to design and deliver the curriculum. This non-credit bearing professional certificate is earned through the completion of two levels.
Level one is a 14-week, online course held one evening a week between late January and May. Taught by Chuck Hudson, it will cover foundational elements of stage direction, including creating and implementing your vision, collaborating for success, and leading effectively.
Level two is a 10-day in-person summer residential workshop on the Ithaca College campus. Participants will enjoy the sights and sounds of campus in mid-May, while working with Chuck Hudson to bring their creative vision to life with the help of accomplished opera singers, rehearsal pianists, and a conductor.
The certificate program application is available at this link.
As our Artistic & Faculty Director for the program, dawn will also be leading a fledgling Opera Studio companion program for vocal performers. This will not lead to a professional certificate; however, is designed to support singers in developing skills for the stage and to gain performance experience, including receiving stage direction from our opera direction certificate participants. The application process for Opera Studio has not yet opened. If you are interested in being considered, complete the inquiry form available on the bottom of this page to be notified once the application process opens.
Please feel free to share this information with your networks or individuals that you believe may be interested. More information about the program is available at ithaca.edu/opera-direction or feel free to reach out to dawn directly at dpierce@ithaca.edu or 607-274-5175.