Discover the Harrower Summer Opera Workshop, a unique program with a relaxed yet professional atmosphere in the heart of Atlanta – the hub of southern culture and hospitality. This intensive three-week workshop began as the brainchild of Peter and Irene Harrower to offer the best training for aspiring opera performers and directors by recognized working professionals. The training culminates in performances of two fully staged and costumed operas and an opera scenes recital. Training includes acting classes, daily movement classes, stage combat classes, foreign language diction, private coaching sessions, seminars and master classes with international artists.
The remarkable faculty at Harrower includes Carroll Freeman, artistic/stage director, Classical Singer magazines’ 2010 Stage Director of the Year and the Valerie Adams Distinguished Professor of Opera Studies at Georgia State University; W. Dwight Coleman, executive/stage director, winner of the National Opera Association opera production competition; and Rolando Salazar, Assistant Conductor/Chorus Master of the Atlanta Opera.
The Harrower Summer Opera Workshop offers three tracks of study:
Young Artist Program is for more advanced singers. Applicants admitted to this program will sing roles in the final fully-staged productions.
Studio Program is for singers looking to improve their skills in a nurturing, yet intensive environment. Participants selected for this program will sing ensemble roles in the productions. Studio participants may qualify to move up to the Young Artist Program. If they elect to do so, their tuition will increase to the Young Artist Program tuition.
Directing Internships are designed for a collegiate voice teacher who directs opera or an aspiring stage director. The selected intern(s) will receive an award of full tuition.
Artist in Residence
The 2020 Artist in Residence will be announced this Spring!
Performances
Hänsel and Gretel, E. Humperdinck
Stage Director W. Dwight Coleman
Musical Director Rolando Salazar
Die Zauberflöte, W.A. Mozart
Stage Director Carroll Freeman
Musical Director Grant Jones
Opera Scenes Program
Stage Director Kay Paschal, Carroll Freeman, W. Dwight Coleman, Christina Noel Reaves
Gala Performance: Sunday, June 7, 2020
Tuition and Fees
Application Fee: $50.00
Young Artist Program Tuition: $1,500.00
Studio Program Tuition: $1,000.00
Directing Interns: Tuition Waiver
All fees are non-refundable.
Applicants acknowledge that, should they be accepted into the program, all tuition and fees must be paid in full by Friday, May 8, 2020. Participants who are not paid in full by May 8, 2020, will have their slot and housing canceled. For participant cancellations made after May 8, 2020, the full tuition and housing fee is incurred.
On-Campus Housing
Participants in the Harrower Summer Opera Workshop who choose on-campus housing will be housed in Georgia State University’s dorms. Housing will be provided from Sunday, May 24 – Monday, June 15.
Housing is for the 3 weeks and is all-inclusive of:
Meal Plan
Bed & Bath Linens
Wi-Fi Access
Fitness Center (certain locations only)
Check-in: Sunday, May 24 between 2-6pm.
Check-out: Monday, June 15 before 11am.
Housing prices will be announced Spring 2020.
Housing must be paid in full at the time of registering. The deadline to request housing is May 8, 2020.
Application Deadlines
Thank you for your interest in the Harrower Summer Opera Workshop! This page contains all the information needed to complete the application process.
Please read the following information carefully before submitting your application. There is a non-refundable application fee of $50.00 due at the time of submitting applications. Be prepared to fill out the application in its entirety. There is no way to save and return to the application. You will be asked to upload the following documents during the application:
- Professional headshot
- Performance resume
- Short, 75-word bio
- PantherCard compliant photo (NOT headshot)
- Three audition video links (online auditions only)
All participants must be 18 or older on or before the start of the program.
The Application Deadline for live auditions is February 7, 2020.
The Application Deadline for online auditions is February 15, 2020
PantherCard Photo Requirements
All participants will be issued a Georgia State University PantherCard upon arrival. The PantherCard issued is your key to most buildings on campus during your time at Georgia State. The PantherCard Office is very strict in their acceptance of photos. Please adhere to the following Georgia State University PantherCard photo requirements:
- The photo must be taken in front of a solid white or light to medium blue background.
- The photo must be taken centered on full-face view, directly facing the camera, with the image from the base of the neck/top of shoulders, upward to top of head within the photo borders.
- You are not permitted to wear a hat or head covering unless worn daily for a religious purpose or for medical reasons supported by medical certification. Your full face must be visible, and the hat or head covering may not obscure the hair or hairline or cast any shadows over your face.
- Any jewelry worn must not obscure the face in any way.
- Headphones, wireless hands-free devices, or similar items are not acceptable in your photo.
- If you normally wear prescription glasses, a hearing device, or similar articles, they may be worn for your photo (make sure to avoid glare if wearing prescription glasses).
- Dark glasses or non-prescription glasses with tinted lenses are not acceptable unless you need them for medical reasons (a medical certificate may be required).
- DO NOT SUBMIT A PHOTO OF AN EXISTING STATE OR COLLEGE ID CARD.
If your photo does not meet the criteria, you will be asked to resubmit a photo until an acceptable photo is given.
Live Auditions
Monday, February 11, 2020 – University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Saturday, February 15, 2020 – Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia
Auditionees should prepare three short arias, one of which must be in English. Aria selections do not need to be from the repertoire of the current year, although they can be. Selections in similar styles are welcome.
An accompanist will be provided for you. Please bring your music in a secured fashion for the accompanist. There will be no advance rehearsal with the accompanist. All headshots and resumes submitted with your application will be available to the judges; there is no need to bring additional hard copies.
Online Auditions
Online Audition Deadline – Saturday, February 15, 2020
Online auditions are available as needed for out of town auditionees. Online auditions consist of video performances of three arias, one of which must be in English. Applicants submitting an online audition must upload their videos in the form of unlisted YouTube videos. All videos must adhere to the following guidelines:
- YouTube uploads must have your name in the title and/or description of the video.
- Each aria should be its own video.
- Each video should be no more than 5 minutes in length.
Aria selections do not need to be from the repertoire of the current year, although they can be. Selections in similar styles are welcome.
Please read the Application Information tab carefully before submitting your application. There is a non-refundable application fee of $50.00 due at the time of submitting applications. Be prepared to fill out the application in its entirety. There is no way to save and return to the application. You will be asked to upload the following documents during the application:
- Professional headshot
- Performance resume
- Short, 75-word bio
- PantherCard compliant photo (NOT headshot)
- Three audition video links (online auditions only)
All participants must be 18 or older on or before the start of the program.
