FAQs
General
What is Vincerò?
Vincerò Academy is the ultimate online mentorship platform connecting young singers from all over the world with the greatest opera stars of our time.
Vincerò’s carefully curated role-study programs provide students across the globe an elite education online with the world’s most admired opera figures.
What are the role study programs?
The goal of the Academy is to provide students with the tools, resources, and guidance to have a full role learned by the end of each program.
This will be done through group classes led by our Artistic Director; dedicated masterclasses led by our star Faculty; individual music and language coachings; seminars; and to round up the experience, the opportunity to connect with industry professionals in casting and management.
Our intention is to provide an alternative to the traditional conservatories or universities by focusing our curriculum on the study of full roles under the guidance of world-class artists.
Who is the Vincerò program for?
Any singer with a desire to learn or review staple roles under the guidance of today’s top artists.
Whether at undergraduate, graduate, young professional, or performing artist level, this is a unique and one-of-its-kind opportunity for singers to learn from the best in the field, expand their network, and form lifetime connections. There is no age limit.
What kind of certification do you offer?
Singers that complete any one program will get a Certificate.
Singers that complete any three programs will receive an Artist Diploma. At least two of them should be for major roles.
Costs
Is there an application fee?
No. We want everyone to have a fair shot at being selected and we believe application fees can be a deterrent, given how many auditions, schools, and young artist programs singers have to apply to every year.
Just fill out the Application form - we look forward to hearing from you!
What is the cost of the program?
Each role has its own specific tuition cost which you can find in the Tuition section.
Do you offer financial aid or scholarships?
Yes. We have a limited number of partial scholarships and work-study opportunities available. You can find all the information on tuition and how to apply for financial aid in the Tuition section.
Will I know which masterclasses I will sing in and which coaches I am assigned to before having to make a financial commitment?
Absolutely! We do not want anyone to make a financial commitment before knowing exactly what they are receiving in return.
If you are accepted into any of our programs, you will receive a detailed offer letter which will include: the masterclasses you will be singing in, the coaches you will be assigned to and number of coachings with each, your total tuition and any incentives (scholarship, payment plan, etc.), and a tentative calendar of group classes.
Is this a pay-to-sing program?
No. This is an Academy, and your tuition will cover your masterclasses, group classes, seminars, and coachings with our world-class faculty.
The final performance in Carnegie Hall is an opportunity for everyone to meet and share their experiences after many months of learning online.
Additionally, other performance opportunities may arise to audition to perform the season’s operas in concert or semi-staged version through sponsor organizations. These performances are not guaranteed and are only meant as a complement to the entire learning program.
Can I apply to sing in the live performances, or to record with the virtual orchestra, without enrolling in Vincerò Academy?
No. In order to ensure the highest quality, only singers who have completed Vincerò’s programs will be able to perform in Carnegie Hall or audition for any other live performances and recordings.
How do I get to perform at Carnegie Hall?
All enrolled students will be welcome to participate in one gala performance at Carnegie Hall. Those interested in performing are responsible for their own travel to New York, room and board, and for any necessary visa requirements or travel permits. Vincerò will gladly provide a letter of invitation upon request.
Casting
What is the selection process?
The selection process is divided in two parts: pre-screening and live virtual auditions. In order to apply, all you have to do is fill out the form in the Application section.
We will contact you if you are selected for a virtual live audition, which will take place on Zoom. In some exceptional cases, a live virtual audition may not be necessary.
Can I sign up for any of the roles in the operas?
Yes. Each role’s curriculum has been carefully curated and the tuition adjusted accordingly, taking into account the differences in length and complexity of each role.
How many singers will be selected for each role?
There is no limit on the number of singers we will cast for each role during the role study program.
Do I decide which role I will study during the program?
Yes. We will only consider you for the role you request in your application. We trust your own judgement and that of your teachers in selecting the role that is best for you.
Can I apply for more than one role in a single opera?
Yes you can, please let us know if you would like to request this and if you are accepted we will tailor a program for you.
Can I apply for more than one opera?
Yes you can, and in fact this is highly encouraged! If you request this in your application and you are accepted, we will tailor a program for you.
Logistics
Where do all the activities take place?
Online via Zoom! This is a fully virtual academy - an incredible opportunity to be able to get a hold of the most accomplished artists in opera and connect them with students from all over the world, something that would be impossible to achieve in person due to geographical, scheduling, and financial reasons.
There is so much that can be achieved through this format and the technology keeps getting better and better, so now the greatest artists across the globe can reach talented students anywhere regardless of where they are located.
What are the technical requirements?
We will provide you with a full manual including suggestions for equipment, camera and microphone placing, Zoom settings, accompaniment, and all the other factors which will enhance the online learning experience. However, the most important factor is to have a stable high-speed internet connection.
When do all the activities take place?
All the activities take place between November 2021 and June 2022.
Group Classes for each opera take place on Saturdays and Sundays. A definitive schedule and times will depend on the total number of students enrolled and their time zones.
Masterclasses and Seminars are scheduled weeks in advance according to the participants’ and the faculty’s availability.
Individual Coachings and Voice Lessons will be scheduled directly between students and their teacher.
What if my time zone or previous commitments do not allow me to attend all the activities?
We will only schedule you to sing in Masterclasses or Group Classes at a time that you are available and can sing comfortably.
If you must miss any of the other activities in which you are not an active participant, not to worry! All the activities will be live streamed to a closed Facebook group where you will be able to watch everything later, on your own time.
Program
What exactly does the program consist of?
The backbone of the program is the group classes which will take place weekly throughout the whole season.
The total number of group classes per opera will depend on enrollment, and can be anywhere from 8 to 16.
For every opera you enroll in, you will sing in three masterclasses: one with a star singer according to your selected role, one with a master coach, and one with artistic and casting director David Lomelí. All the Masterclasses have a Q&A session at the end, so students will have an invaluable opportunity to share and learn from our incredible faculty of singers and coaches.
You will also have the opportunity to be selected for any of the masterclasses from the Encores series. This series consists of additional masterclasses and seminars.
All enrolled students will have access to all the Group Classes, Masterclasses, and Seminars of the season.
Additionally, you will receive a predetermined number of individual music and language coachings according to your role, a personal consultation with artist agent Ana de Archuleta, an individual role run-through session with maestro Abdiel Vázquez, and a performance at Carnegie Hall.
Detailed information on each role’s curriculum can be found here:
What do the Group Classes consist of?
Group Classes are led by our Artistic Director. They will be an in-depth exploration and group discussion of the full score and libretto of each opera from cover to cover.
We will cover a predetermined number of scenes per class (ex. Group Class 1: Act 1, Scenes 1-3; Group Class 2: Act 1, Scenes 4-6, etc.), and everyone will have the opportunity to sing through their full role throughout the course of these classes.
The approximate duration of each class is three hours.
What about duets, trios, ensembles, etc.?
Ensemble singing is not possible online. Our aim is to explore the operas from a role-study perspective – the kind of preparation we all do on our own – with the guidance of experienced artists.
Can I choose in which masterclasses I will sing?
You can let us know the masterclasses of your preference, but the final decision will rest with the Artistic Board. We are confident we will be able to provide every student with a phenomenal experience tailored to their goals, strengths, and needs.
Can I choose which coaches I will work with?
You can let us know the coaches of your preference, but the final decision will rest with the Artistic Board. The decision will be made according to your application materials and audition, and just like in the masterclasses we are confident we will be able to place you with those coaches that will offer you the most help and guidance.
Which repertoire can I bring to my masterclasses?
The Singers’ masterclasses are free repertoire, although we highly encourage you to bring something from the roles you are working on or from the repertoire the Singers specialize in.
The Coaches’ masterclasses will be focused on the operas being worked on.
Which repertoire can I bring to my coachings?
This is your time, so you can use it in any way you think it will benefit you the best.
However, we recommend using them to prepare the role or roles that you are working on.
Can I have more music or language coachings?
Definitely! This is also highly encouraged. Feel free to discuss and arrange directly with your coach. These would take place outside Vincerò Academy.
Can I sign up for voice lessons too?
Yes! Our Voice lessons program is optional and it includes four voice lessons with either Ailyn Pérez, Brian Jagde, Carlos Conde, Jennifer Rowley, Kirsten Chambers, Luis Ledesma, or Mignon Dunn. You can sign up for these lessons either when you apply or at any time during the program, subject to the faculty’s approval and availability.
What about accompaniments for my lessons, coachings, and masterclasses?
Vincerò will provide the tracks of the full operas recorded by maestro Vázquez.
We recommend getting your own tracks for your other repertoire, either through trusted coaches and pianists, YouTube, or apps such as Appcompanist.
For your masterclasses, we recommend finding a live pianist to accompany you, but this is not necessary.