A workshop series for professional singing teachers to enhance their Italian language skills

In a series of four afternoon workshops this Spring, native Italian-speaker, musician, and educator Annalisa Monticelli will lead an in-depth course designed to aid the skilled professional in building on their Italian language skills and effectively passing those skills on to their students.

Using the Vaccai method and the 24 Italian Arias to explore the intricacies of teaching Italian repertoire, participants will address common issues that their students may face when learning Italian pronunciation, and will also receive guidance in developing their own set of exercises to help students comfortably and fluently perform Italian repertoire. Each topic will be covered from both an academic and a practical perspective through both discussion and performance, and by tackling both familiar and unfamiliar repertoire.

Workshop 1—Introduction | Sunday 1st March
Discuss various diction schools and traditions, as well as common rules, newest theories, and the latest best practice for teaching and singing in Italian. Work practically through the performance of repertoire (assigned in advance).

Workshop 2—Studies & Methodologies | Sunday 29th March
Explore the Vaccai method, the 24 Italian Arias, and other studies and practical tools for learning Italian language skills. Perform selected arias from the 24 Italian Arias (assigned in advance) for practical study, and discuss the importance of text analysis.

Workshop 3—Text Analysis & Recitative | Sunday 19th April
Look at text analysis and poetic reading as a starting point for student's performance. Explore speech rhythms and recitative as a medium for improving Italian language skills, and perform recitatives (assigned in advance).

Workshop 4—Feedback and Practical Application | Sunday 10th May
Draw conclusions from the various areas and studies covered, perform repertoire assigned throughout the course, and apply the principles discussed to your own teaching practices.