The Singers Forum Scholarship Program, in cooperation with Actors’ Equity, just launched the third session of its program to provide substantially underwritten private voice lessons exclusively to Equity members.
Singers Forum is a Manhattan-based non-profit organization dedicated to the vocal arts that provides scholarships to 13 Equity Members to take thirteen weekly, private 45-minute voice lessons, including a pianist, for a $49 per class fee – a significant reduction from market rates. Beginning in 2010, the program is offered twice per year for selected participants. Participants in the program will be chosen by audition. The program is only available to active members of Actors Equity.
The first phases of this program in 2010 were made possible with the generous cooperation of Actors’ Equity and an anonymous grant. This program is designed to provide Equity Members with privately subsidized assistance to access its roster of musical theater professionals for the purpose of training, maintaining or rehabilitating a healthy vocal instrument. The program relies heavily on student feedback to maximize the effectiveness of this training program and Singers Forum is committed to pursuing additional funding for a greatly expanded program in future.
The roster of teachers includes: Bradley Dean, currently appearing on B’way in A Little Night Music, was also on B’way in SPAMALOT, COMPANY and MAN OF LA MANCHA; Michael Devries spent a season at Santa Fe Opera, and has performed principal roles on Broadway in GRAND HOTEL, SECRET GARDEN, CATS, HELLO, DOLLY and WICKED as well as numerous National Tours and regional theatres; Eric Michael Gillett who has directed concert and cabaret artists, has been seen in B’way’s KISS ME KATE, SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS and THE FROGS as well as many off-Broadways musicals and is an award-winning cabaret vocalist; Teri Ralston, whose B’way work includes creating roles in the original casts of COMPANY, THE BAKER’S WIFE and A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, Mama Rose in GYPSY, Yvonne in SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE and has appeared in PUTTING IT TOGETHER and a new Sondheim revue MOVING ON.; and Melanie Vaughan who has been a member of the original Broadway cast of 10 shows including RING OF FIRE, PARADE and SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE.
Singers Forum anticipates announcing the fall session auditions in late summer 2011, so please check back for dates!