Teaching Fellowship
Singing in any style must be organic.
If your technique doesn't, in the end, serve the text, character, and emotion, then you must
reconsider the way you approach the technique. You must be well-trained, athletic, and truthful in your performances in order for your audience to have an emotional experience.
That is why we do what we do!
Holistic Pedagogy & Mentorship
Led by voice faculty, classical voice and opera, master clinician, Mary Wilson, the IPAI Teaching Fellowship Program is a three-week intensive teaching-performance and mentoring program specially tailored to the artistic and professional goals of the selected participants. It provides a unique opportunity to learn from a team of master teachers and guest artists.
Fellows will participate in group sessions with Mary Wilson, observe applied lessons and masterclasses, work with guest faculty, perform in opera and musical theatre events, develop teaching philosophies and integrate a holistic approach to teaching voice and vocal pedagogy. Emphasis will be placed on musical theatre, commercial voice and gospel styles of singing.
The IPAI Teaching Fellowship Program is highly selective. Candidates are carefully screened and chosen to build a cohesive and collaborative group who will challenge each other in an encouraging team-building environment. Artist-teachers transitioning into faculty positions, beginning faculty, and those seeking advanced training and faculty development in a nurturing environment are encouraged to apply.
"The challenging and positive experience of being a IPAI Teaching Fellow was incredible. I am so grateful for the distinguished faculty who generously gave their time and insight; these were life changing. Thank you for inspiring me to connect and give."
- Charlotte Lee, singing teacher
World-class Instruction
IPAI provides a positive and nurturing environment in which each artist can learn and develop to their full potential. Fellows receive two weekly voice lessons, one-on-one mentorship, special master classes with Mary Wilson, structured pedagogy lessons, as well as group and individual reflection and feedback. Fellows may observe any private lessons, rehearsals, or coachings with the IPAI Young Artists at the discretion of the teachers and clinicians. They are also encouraged to participate in acting and movement classes as often as possible and observe any opera, musical theatre, and company master classes and workshops which will focus on style, interpretation, audition techniques, mind/body awareness, coping with stress and nervousness, the business of performing, career building, and more!
Teachers may also have the opportunity to practice the empathy and skills learned first-hand with their colleagues and volunteer Opera and/or Musical Theatre Young Artists.
Language & Culture
Artists learn and practice German in daily language classes and by living in a Bavarian village for three weeks. Instruction includes the basics of functional conversational German, an introduction to German culture and etiquette, learning to slate and answer basic audition questions in German, as well as opportunities for more advanced speakers to refine their language skills. Our artists receive musical theatre and lyric diction coaching in German. French, Italian, English, and Czech can be integrated into weekly lessons and coaching sessions as dictated by the artists' repertoire selections.
See a professional opera performance at a German Theater in Erl, Munich, or another nearby city as part of your IPAI experience! Transportation and tickets are included in the tuition.
"As a Teaching Fellow I expected to spend three weeks exchanging ideas and information on singing and becoming a better teacher. What I didn’t expect was becoming a better person. My time with Dr. Kyle and the entire IPAI organization renewed my spirit and reminded me of why I fell in love with the art form of singing. I left feeling like a family member who would always be part of this bigger family. It is rare to find, in today’s culture, an organization that truly puts people first and IPAI is just that organization. So blessed to be a part."
- Matt Oglesby, Associate Lecturer of Voice, West Texax A&M University
Performing
If they choose, Teaching & Directing Fellows are invited to perform multiple songs in any genre in the Fellowship Showcase Concert. As space allows and depending on the total number of IPAI Young Artists, Fellows may also have the option to participate in the Liederabend and Cabaret Concerts.
Career Building & Development
In addition to professional development & audition workshops, IPAI artists receive one-on-one feedback from each of our esteemed faculty throughout their IPAI residency. Our three-week training program culminates in a next-steps conference that offers an opportunity to connect on a deeper level with our faculty, strategically plan for the "next steps" of your artistic career, gather personalized advice, and be mentored by professionals who invest in artists beyond just three weeks of training.
Outstanding students, promising young artists, and emerging young artists be offered a significant scholarship and the opportunity to join IPAI as a Fellowship Artist in the following summer. Opera Fellows have usually completed a Masters Degree or Artist Diploma, are on the cusp of starting their professional career, are already performing professionally, and/or are exploring opportunities to audition and sing in Germany or Europe. Fellowship Artists receive special attention, may be invited to auditions, or offered roles with regional companies in the US and Germany.
Tuition & SCHOLARSHIPS
T U I T I O N :
Triple Room: $5100
Double Room: $5600
Single Room $6000
D E P O S I T : $500
***The deposit must be received by the date on your acceptance letter (10-14 days after acceptance) in order to reserve your spot in the program and any scholarships you have been awarded.
IPAI Germany is an all-inclusive training experience that includes:
Lodging for 21 days
Two meals per day (breakfast and lunch--artists are responsible for dinner and snacks)
Private voice lessons
Individual and group repertoire coachings
Master Classes and Career Training Workshops
German Language Experience
Dance and Acting Classes
A Comprehensive Scenes Program
A Minimum of 4 Concert Performance Opportunities.
The cost of tickets and transportation for one excursion (the musical theatre intensive and audition casting in Hamburg, or the German opera house excursion) is also included in your tuition for IPAI Germany when available.
Not included airfare or ground transportation to/from Kiefersfelden; ground or public transportation during the program; health or travel insurance; costs of securing a passport or visa (for non-US residents); entry, luggage, or other fees at border control; costs associated with program cancellation, flight cancellation, health care issues, or travel delays.
Tuition scholarships (typically between $500 - $3000) are awarded based on funding availability, artistry, and merit and determined by the application, video or live audition, financial need, and IPAI programming needs. Scholarships are awarded at the discretion of IPAI faculty, administration, and audition panelists. Recipients are obliged to notify IPAI of acceptance in a timely fashion and are still responsible for securing their position in the program by paying the deposit.
INSURANCe
All participants and faculty must secure international health insurance that is valid in the country or state of residence for the duration of the program. We STRONGLY suggest securing both health and travel insurance when studying abroad. Check with your current insurance provider to inquire if they have options for temporary international travel and health insurance. Feel free to reach out to our IPAI administrative staff for assistance if you need help finding an insurance provider. It's relatively inexpensive and can be purchased online.
REFund & Participation Policy
Unfortunately, IPAI cannot issue any refunds for tuition or deposits under any circumstances at this time. This includes but is not limited to acts of violence or terrorism, sickness, disease, financial insolvency, force majeure, or any other circumstances. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, IPAI may be able to issue limited refunds minus the $500 deposit in the event the program is cancelled due to coronavirus restrictions. The no refund policy stands as long as a live, in-person summer program can take place.
IPAI reserves the right to withdraw a student artist from the program for behavior deemed inappropriate or unprofessional. Illegal substance use is strictly forbidden. Participants caught using illegal substances or participating in illegal activities will be sent home at their own expense and no tuition refunds will be given. Artists and faculty participate at their own risk and must provide proof of valid health insurance for the duration of the program. IPAI is not liable for a participants inability to attend or participate due to sickness, emergencies, or other unforeseen events.
Artists engaged in the abuse of alcohol, verbal, racial, or sexual harassment in any way will be sent home immediately at their own expense.
Any artist that drops out of the program after May 15th will be responsible for 2/3 of the total tuition.