
The Stratford Summer Music Vocal Academy was co-founded in 2015 by Phillip Addis, Emily Hamper, Michael Schade, and John Miller, and launches its eightth season in 2023. Our internationally recognized faculty focuses on furthering our participants’ musicianship, language skills, and technique within a friendly, supportive and creative atmosphere. Ideally, applicants should be in or have recently completed a degree/training program with a university, conservatory or opera company, or be in the early years of a career. Singers with large or exceptional voices are encouraged to apply. We welcome applicants from all countries, but applicants from outside Canada are responsible for their own travel and document requirements, including all COVID-19 travel and quarantine regulations.
2023 General Information
This year we offer two courses; Opera (TBD), and Art Song (TBD). Opera applicants may apply as individuals. Art Song participants should apply as singer-pianist duos; individual applicants to Art Song will be considered as space permits. As usual, we do not charge an application fee. Classes and lessons are planned to take place in-person at The Avondale, and each session includes public performance. Participants are expected to be in attendance on every day of their course. Opera participants will have the option to record in the beautiful Avondale Sanctuary for future audition/application purposes. Additionally, a paid performance opportunity is available on Stratford Summer Music’s MusicBarge.
Participants may choose to commute daily if they live within a reasonable distance, but otherwise will be responsible for their own accommodation in Stratford. Thanks to our generous supporters, we are able to offer some tuition reduction in order to offset this additional expense. Applicants should indicate on their application form whether they would like to apply for this assistance.
STRATFORD SUMMER MUSIC RESERVES THE RIGHT TO ADJUST COURSE DATES AND CONTENT IF NECESSITATED BY THE PANDEMIC. PARTICIPANTS WILL BE NOTIFIED IMMEDIATELY OF ANY CHANGES. IN THE EVENT OF A COMPLETE COURSE CANCELLATION BY STRATFORD SUMMER MUSIC, PARTICIPANTS WILL RECEIVE A FULL REFUND.
Testimonials:
“I can’t tell you the wonders your program did for my singing, outlook and most of all my confidence in pursuing this career.” -Sarah Schabas, 2017
“Thank you again for a wonderful experience – I would highly recommend the Vocal Academy to any young singer.” – Sarah Parkin, 2017
“I really appreciated working on oratorio arias at the Stratford VA as I have had the opportunity to be the soloist in various oratorios including Haydn’s Creation, Vivaldi’s Gloria, Gounod’s St Cecilia Mass and Handel’s Messiah.” – Anna Boyes, 2018
“Your program really stretched me and made me grow as a musician and as a person. I was able to quickly learn the scores based on the knowledge I gained while at the Stratford Summer Music Vocal Academy. “ – Aude Urbancic (pianist), 2018