2012 Druid City Faculty, Guest Artists, and Clinicians (more faculty and guests artists TBA)

Paul Houghtaling, Artistic Director

• Kevin T. Chance – pianist  and vocal coach  (UA; Birmingham-Southern Conservatory)
• Jennifer Griffith Cowgill – soprano, masterclass in breathing techniques  (UA)
• Susan Fleming – mezzo-soprano, masterclass in Italian diction   (UA)
• Alan Hicks – stage director, acting classes  www.alanhicks.com
• Paul Houghtaling – bass-baritone, stage director, business  (UA)
  www.paulhoughtaling.com
• Linda Lister – soprano, stage director, Yoga for Singers  www.lindalister.com
  (University of Nevada Las Vegas)
• Richard Masters – pianist and vocal coach (University of Texas, Austin)
  www.richard-masters.com
• Kristine Hurst-Wajsczuk – soprano, stage director, classes in body mapping and performance anxiety strategies (University of Alabama at Birmingham)

2011 Druid City Faculty, Guest Artists, and Clinicians  

Paul Houghtaling, Artistic Director

• J. Bradley Baker – pianist and vocal coach (UA)
• Jennifer Bryant – soprano, stage director (UA)
• Kevin T. Chance – pianist  and vocal coach  (UA; Birmingham-Southern Conservatory)
• Jennifer Griffith Cowgill – soprano, masterclass in breathing techniques  (UA)
• Susan Fleming – mezzo-soprano, masterclass in Italian diction   (UA)
• Luvada Harrison – soprano, masterclass on song literature (Stillman College)
• Alan Hicks – stage director  www.alanhicks.com
• Paul Houghtaling – bass-baritone, stage director, business  (UA)
  www.paulhoughtaling.com
• Linda Lister – soprano, stage director, Yoga for Singers  www.lindalister.com
  (University of Nevada Las Vegas)
• Richard Masters – pianist and vocal coach (University of Texas, Austin)
  www.richard-masters.com
• Christopher Mitchell – baritone, master class (Murray State University)
• Dawn Wells Neely – soprano, acting for singers (UA)
• Erick Wolfe – stage combat   www.erickwolfe.com
• Vivan Wolfe – dance and movement

Application Procedure (NOTE NEW APPLICATION PROCEDURE – RECORDING NOW REQUIRED):

Please send a resume, headshot (singers), and a recent CD recording of at least two arias, or a link to YouTube recordings of your performances, to the mailing and/or email address below.  Resume should include the names and contact information of three references.  The application materials can be emailed if the email contains MP3 files or links to recordings or YouTube videos.

Application Deadline: Materials should be received by March 15, 2012 and can be sent to:

The Druid City Opera Workshop
c/o University of Alabama Opera Theatre
The School of Music
PO Box 870366
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0366

Email:  phoughtaling@music.ua.edu

Comments from 2011 Druid City participants:

“My heart was opened by a group of people I will never forget. Spending the week with such gifted, talented, intelligent, loving people was a tremendous blessing. I can’t wait to return next year.”
(Ashley Drake Estes, soprano - New York, NY)

“This week has been the greatest week of my entire life! I miss my Druid City famly already.”
(Leah Marsella, soprano – Sam Houston State University, Texas)

“I attended this program last year. My excitement for this year’s experience comes from witnessing this program, in one year, growing to become a powerhousse of intense training that I have not yet experienced anywhere else. The faculty fules the environment for growth and development. I have every intention of continuing to attend this program once a year. I cannot wait to see what Druid City has in store for its participants in the future”
(Katy Green, soprano – recent graduate, Murray State University, Kentucky)

“My experience with the Druid City Opera Workshop was phenomenal. The “Business of Singing” workshops were especially resourceful because learning how to market yourself is one of the most important aspects of being a performer. I will always remember ‘This is who we are and this is what we do!’ ”
Vincert Hale, baritone – Stillman College, Tuscaloosa, AL

“This week has been amazing.”
(Courtney Stancil, soprano – Sam Houston State University, Texas)

Comments from 2010 Druid City participants:

“This was an amazing experience for me! I loved how everything was so organized.  It was truly inspiring to be around such exciting and energetic faculty members. They were helpful, insightful, and critical while maintaining a positive approach to teaching us. I had a blast and I’m already looking forward to returning next summer.”
(Katy Green, soprano, Murray, KY)

“The experience gave me the opportunity to involve myself in the operatic art form in a way that was more enriching and fulfilling than anything else I’d ever experienced … a friendly, focused, and professional community.”
(Jacob Wooten, baritone, Birmingham, AL)

“The program exceeded my expectations!  Every second was spent honing our craft and growing in the art of opera. ”  (Katelyn Perkins, mezzo-soprano, Montevallo, AL)

“I learned a great deal from this program.  I wish it was longer!  The movement and acting classes were tremendously enlightening and helpful.”
(Kawika Berthelette, baritone, Colorado Springs, CO)

“This was an intense program that was reasonably priced. At the end, I felt as if I had grown as a performer. It is really beneficial to have a program like this in the state.”
(Marc Anderson, tenor, Florence, AL)

“It was fun working with a group of new people with different backgrounds. Everyone was just concerned with doing well and that was quite refreshing.”
(Pete Lake, tenor, Mobile, AL)

“This week taught me numerous things I’ll never forget. I’m so thankful to have had Druid City constantly push  me toward my potential … and this week I was pushed!
(Camille Sonnier, soprano, Tuscaloosa, AL)

About UA and Tuscaloosa:

Tuscaloosa is the home of the main campus of The University of Alabama.  (And yes … there is more than football here!)

It’s a beautiful campus and surrounding community, located about an hour away from Birmingham.  We are easily reached from the Birmingham airport (we can arrange ground transportation if you come to Tuscaloosa without  a car … you won’t need one) and there is plenty to do when you’re not busy with the workshop program — restaurants, museums, cultural events, theater and concerts.  We have named our workshop after our city’s nickname — the Druid City.

http://www.ci.tuscaloosa.al.us/

Additional Information:

Please feel free to email us with any questions regarding this program.  We would be happy to hear from you and to answer any questions you may have.  Thank you for your interest.  We’re looking forward to a great opera workshop experience!