Voice Lab 2024: Classical, Music Theatre and Cross-Training

March 20, 2024

Wilfrid Laurier University's Faculty of Music is thrilled to announce the return of its highly anticipated Voice Lab for Spring 2024. This unique workshop, tailored for undergraduate and graduate-level singers, offers an invaluable opportunity to delve deeper into vocal studies beyond the standard fall and winter terms.

This year’s Voice Lab brings together classical and music theatre singers, encouraging exploration across genres and facilitating cross-training. Participants will engage in yoga, acting, dance and movement classes, reinforcing the connection between body and voice. The program also features impromptu jam sessions and curated concerts, providing diverse opportunities for musical expression and collaboration.

Join us for an enriching experience that will elevate your vocal performance and broaden your musical horizons

• Dates: May 6-19, 2024
• Location: Faculty of Music, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario
• Fees: $1,250 (for intensive program) $950 (for standard program); high school day $75/student includes lunch; evening seminar series $75 per seminar or $250 package deal for 4 or more seminars.
• Registration deadline: April 30, 2024, 11:59 p.m.

Register Now

Registration Options:

• Intensive program: $1250 - Access to the full range of events in Voice Lab 2024 (including evening seminars), plus 4 lessons/coachings per week with faculty members (2 per week with voice faculty, 2 per week with coach-accompanists).
• Standard program: $950 - Access to the full range of events in Voice Lab 2024 (including evening seminars), plus 2 lessons/coachings per week with faculty members (1 per week with voice faculty, 1 per week with coach-accompanists).
• Seminar program package deal: $250 - Access to 4 or more evening seminars
• Individual seminars: $75 per seminar (see descriptions below)
• High school day: $75 per student - Includes workshops, lunch, open lesson sessions, and a Q&A with current Laurier faculty

The concentration of studies in these two weeks results in significant, often accelerated vocal progress, and a well-learned body of repertoire, some of which may be performed in concerts during the workshop. The workshop focuses on the creative process of the singer, with ample one-on-one lesson time with voice instructors and collaborative pianists, group lessons, seminars (dance, acting, improvisation, belting and Linklater training), bodywork and more.

Individual Evening Seminar Descriptions:

For those with individual professional development in mind, we offer a series of evening seminars on different topics that can be taken as a complete program or on an a la carte basis

• Playful Acting: Exploring Acting Technique Through Play: Using improvisation games and acting exercises, Stratford actor and teaching artist Josue Laboucane explores the essence of acting in a playful and positive atmosphere.
• Body Mapping for Teachers: Body Mapping Educator Kimberly Barber leads this class through basics of Body Mapping for voice and music teachers, giving concrete, experiential examples for laying a foundation of anatomical understanding and body function to support healthy music making.
• Linklater Tension Release: Designated Linklater Teacher Amanda Brunk will lead the method’s progression of exercises designed to free the voice through body, breath and throat awareness, resonance and articulation.
• Yoga for Singers: Certified yoga instructor and pianist Anna Ronai leads this session focused on opening breath and body to support freedom in singing.
• So you wanna belt?: This workshop with Amanda Brunk gives an introduction to healthy techniques for belting in music theatre and other commercial styles.
• Create/Discover Movement in Music & Song: This movement workshop, led by Stratford actor, dancer and choreographer Jason Sermonia, is designed for all those who wish to explore the use of the body in movement through music and voice work.

High School Voice Lab Workshop

The workshop also includes a day of integrating high-school students in our process, allowing them to experience group technique, Body Mapping and open lessons (15-minute segments per HS student) taught by Laurier voice instructors, all alongside our university participants. This day also includes lunch!

Date - Saturday, May 11, 2024
Time - 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.