Who are We?

The IPAI family is a unique group of professional artists, educators, and alumni who join forces each summer to help young artists realize their full potential as singer-actors. Our primary goal is to create an environment that nurtures your creativity and offers real-life opportunities for artistic employment in the US and Europe. 

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Each year, we hand pick young artists whom we feel are ready to embark on a life-changing path. Many of our youngest participants show great promise and are interested in seeking knowledge and wisdom to guide their important upcoming life decisions. Some of our artists seek reflection, encouragement, or advice as they face major decisions, encounter turning points in their career, or forge new creative paths. And IPAI counsels and connects young emerging artists as they explore opportunities to perform and network in Europe. 

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Our numbers are intentionally limited and IPAI Artists are selected based on merit and demeanor. Our faculty strive to get to know each student and create a comprehensive experience that meets the individual goals of all our participants.  

Careers in Europe

The historic European tradition of art and culture and a government-subsidized social system that supports arts organizations make Germany an ideal place to pursue a classical music career. Greater opportunity and competitive contracts have drawn US singers to Europe with the hope of achieving a successful performance career. With the fall of the iron curtain, Russian and Easter-Central European singers joined the competition. Now the market is seeing an influx of Asian singers from China, South Korea, and Japan. In spite of the current competitive market, American singers maintain the advantage of having access to some of the best all-around vocal and performance training in the world. In German houses, US singers are consistently recognized as zealous, well-prepared, personable, flexible, and possessing exceptional stage-presence.

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Current trends in European casting reflect a growing need for singer-actors who are not only well-trained, but extremely versatile. Many of the State Opera and Operetta Houses now include at least one or more Musical Theatre shows in their annual season. Touring Musical Theatre shows are also becoming more and more popular. IPAI is very proud to partner with Ralph Schaedler and Stage Entertainment Deutschland in connecting young Musical Theatre and crossover artists to audition opportunities in Germany. Stage Entertainment is the largest producer of American Broadway Musical Theatre in Germany and is responsible for bringing shows such as Wicked, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Elton John's Aida, The Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Mamma Mia and many, many others to Europe. Each season, Stage Entertainment casts Musical Theatre artists from the US in both leading and supporting roles. Many who get their start working professionally in Europe go on to form successful international careers. ​

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For those focused on a career in opera, IPAI has developed relationships with European casting directors, stage directors, vocal coaches, and consultants who can help you develop an audition plan, create a German resume, and navigate the European casting system. Many of our collaborators have invited aspiring opera artists to sing for house auditions, graduate programs, and agents. Through valuable networking formed during IPAI, some of our young artists have begun their professional performance careers singing roles in regional houses in the United States and Germany.