What our students and organizations say about GVAI:
|
Anikka Abbott- Soprano, Gig Harbor, WA
talks about her experience during GVAI's Summer Opera Program 2016 |
Fidel Angel Romero, Tenor, Houston, TX
talks about his experience during GVAI's Summer Opera Program 2016 |
Kristin Moye - Soprano, Griffin, GA
talks about her experience during GVAI's Summer Opera Program 2016 |
"I had an amazing time at the GVAI. My diction and approach to the German language have improved so much in such a short amount of time. Our production of the Die Zauberflöte is one that I will never forget and I am so thankful to have worked with such a talented cast and faculty."
Shyheim Selvan, Virginia, Summer Opera Program 2017 |
"I learned so much at this program. There are nuances to pronouncing the German language that are nearly impossible to grasp without a very patient, native speaker. Looking back on it, it's amazing how far everyone in the program came in such a short time. We managed to put on the entirety of the Magic Flute (including dialogues in German) in just two weeks! Highly recommend this program to anyone looking to improve or polish their German repertoire and diction."
Angela Jarosz, Summer Opera Program 2017 |
"I absolutely loved this program. The people who work with you truly care about helping you become the best performer you can. You definitely get more then you pay for. I would recommend this to any hard working singer who wants to improve their German. Such a wonderful program with wonderful people."
Jocelyn Taylor, Idaho, Summer Opera Program 2017 |
|
Yulan Piao - Soprano, New York
talks in Chinese about her experience during GVAI's Summer Opera Program 2016 |
"It was such a pleasure to observe the quick progress the singers made in the sessions with Christine. As a native speaker and singer, her guidance and practice exercises were so clear. Everyone progressed quickly with these life-long tools to improve their performance of German classical vocal repertoire. An added bonus was Christine's lively staging advice and historical perspective. Her classes are simply a delight!"
Beth Kirchhoff about GVAI's German Operetta & Opera Workshop 2017 Chorusmaster Emeritus for Seattle Opera |
"Christine, thank you for creating such a nurturing artistic environment. I have learned so much and have had a terrific time in Seattle!"
Ashley Sipka, Chicago -Summer Program 2016 |
"The program was intense but I really got a lot out of it. I enjoyed starting the day with the German class, we learned a lot about the open and close sounds in German and primarily how to sound like a native speaker while singing. The acting classes with Erich Parce were wonderful as well, he was a fantastic stage director to work with, very energetic, knowledgeable, and knew how to make us be ourselves while playing our character.
My favorite part of the program was having the interviews with professionals (teachers, agents, singers, pianist) who work in Germany and hear it from first hand how the business currently works in Germany. I found that very helpful because things like that you cannot find in Google. Overall it was a life changing experience. I've gained so many tools that now I feel very confident in my acting, German diction and singing. I would definitely recommend this program because it is not only affordable but you really get a lot from what you are paying for. It's a wonderful program for singers looking to improve their German while learning a full opera and will have the opportunity to work with the best people in the Seattle area!" Eric Joseph Mendoza, Chicago, Summer Opera Program 2017 |
"I love so much the idea of using an opera to learn a language! Not only were were emerged in studying German pronunciation and language, but we were able to study an opera and learn a role simultaneously. We were involved in extreme multitasking: singing, speaking, and acting in another language. This is perfect insight as to what singers would encounter if we were to work for an opera company, whether it be in the United States or abroad!
I greatly appreciated hearing from professionals based in Seattle as well as Germany: we were able to learn about what is demanded of an opera singer in areas of auditions, recital, and mainstage performance. It was an enjoyable eye-opening experience. It was inspiring to work with such professionals as Christine, Erich, Glenda, and Denes, who were nothing but encouraging. I genuinely hope to work with them again! I highly recommend this program to anyone who is interested in seriously pursuing German Vocal Arts!" Brynn Scozzari, Summer Opera Program 2017 |
"Christine has a deep knowledge of both her mother tongue and its particular demands on the singer. She taught our Viennese Gala chorus with patience, careful attention to detail, and unfailing good humor. As an internationally-trained soprano with strong skills in French, Spanish and Italian, I have often been frustrated by my seeming inability to master German pronunciation. Christine's explanations and examples were insightful, and I noticed improvement right away both in my own pronunciation and that of my colleagues in the group."
Arwen Dewey, Seattle, WA, Puget Sound Concert Opera Chorus |
"Christine is a terrific German diction coach. She is a native German speaker and also a great singer which means she can help singers more than just give them the correct pronunciation. She is also very knowledgeable in German literature. When I had coaching sections with her, she always discussed how the poem were set and what kind of perspective a singer should have. Her help to me is way beyond a German coach can give." Ya-Li Lee, Seattle, WA
University of Washington Workshop 2016:
"Christine had the right recipe to make our final performance of a German play a great success.
It was one of the most productive and pleasant experiences for my third year UW Germanics students to learn from Christine how to overcome their fears; confidently work with German vowels, phonemes and umlauts in a stage setting; be aware of their bodies while performing and generally, how to make their stage presence a priority, rather than just saying their lines.
Christine, a German native speaker, teaches this with empathy and insight in her well-structured class that offered a variety of tasks. Her over ten years' experience as a voice and diction coach, singer and successful performer allowed students to engage, stay motivated and be challenged at the same time. The result is an energetic final scene of “Deutschsein für Fortgeschrittene: Grenzenlos und Unverschämt,” performed at the University of Washington in June 2016."
Kristina Pilz, PhD Candidate, German Instructor, Department of Germanics, University of Washington June 2016
"Christine had the right recipe to make our final performance of a German play a great success.
It was one of the most productive and pleasant experiences for my third year UW Germanics students to learn from Christine how to overcome their fears; confidently work with German vowels, phonemes and umlauts in a stage setting; be aware of their bodies while performing and generally, how to make their stage presence a priority, rather than just saying their lines.
Christine, a German native speaker, teaches this with empathy and insight in her well-structured class that offered a variety of tasks. Her over ten years' experience as a voice and diction coach, singer and successful performer allowed students to engage, stay motivated and be challenged at the same time. The result is an energetic final scene of “Deutschsein für Fortgeschrittene: Grenzenlos und Unverschämt,” performed at the University of Washington in June 2016."
Kristina Pilz, PhD Candidate, German Instructor, Department of Germanics, University of Washington June 2016
"I came to Christine for German diction help for the role I was singing. We dove right in and she helped me take apart each phrase and really understand both the intention and the pronunciation. In a very short time I came away with a few great tools to better communicate the language. I highly recommend Christine!"
Breanna Hanson (Soprano), Seattle, WA
Breanna Hanson (Soprano), Seattle, WA