Unfortunately, this workshop has been cancelled due to low enrollment. We plan on rescheduling to a time that is more convenient to interested artists. We apologize for any inconvenience. Please reach out to Elise if you are interested in attending this event, or one similar!
"The Creative Process for Singers," developed by stage director Carol Castel, is a dynamic class designed to help singers discover their artistic identity and overcome obstacles in their journey. Methods include discussion, improvisation, exercises, games, and mask work. Through exploration of self, understanding of their instrument, and harnessing creative energy, participants delve into the depths of expression and storytelling, culminating in a transformative experience that enriches both their performance and personal growth.
Please see the agenda below for the full details, schedule, and descriptions of all classes and topics covered in this 2-day workshop.
About the Facilitator
Carol Castel, an accomplished stage director and teacher, began her stage career as an actress in legitimate theater and musical comedy. Her development as a singer took her to the operatic stage where she began her love affair with opera that is still going strong. Her formal education includes work in theater and drama at The American University in Washington, D.C., a bachelor’s degree in Vocal Music Performance from the University of Delaware and a master’s degree in music with a major in opera performance from Temple University in Philadelphia.
Musicianship and skill in organization and administration brought her into the employ of E. Randolph Mickelson as production assistant for Carnegie Hall concerts, Renata Scotto as personal secretary and assistant, and Joan Dornemann as program coordinator for the Israel vocal Arts Institute. For nine years she held the position of Artistic Director of the Delaware Valley Opera Company in Narrowsburg, New York while free-lance stage-directing in opera companies in Europe, Canada and the US.
Her directing career has included over 60 productions with such companies as: the Finnish National Opera; Aspen Opera Theater; National Opera Company in Raleigh, North Carolina; Israel Vocal Arts Institute in Tel Aviv, Israel; Eifeler Pocket Opera in Bayreuth, Germany; Opera NUOVA in Edmonton, Canada; Opera Southwest in Albuquerque, NM; Mannes College of Music and Manhattan School of Music in NY, and Opera Aegean in Athens and Paros Greece.
In addition to stage directing, Ms. Castel has authored several opera education programs for young children including the “Meet the Artist” program at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and “Youth Opera Experience” at Bethel Woods for the Performing Arts. She was co-founder of the Opera NUOVA program in Edmonton, Canada, a 5-week opera festival for the training of young Canadian singers. With her husband, Nico Castel, she co-founded the New York Opera Studio Summer Program for Singers and Collaborative Pianists at VASSAR from 2004 – 2008 and at SUNY Sullivan in 2013.
From her many years of experience and her background in singing, acting and teaching Ms. Castel developed a series of classes entitled “Creative Process for Singers”. It was first conceived and introduced at the Opera NUOVA program where it made such a positive impact on the artistic work of the students that she continued to develop it into the class it is today. Among the topics explored in this class are: how the brain processes practicing and performing; the relationship between sound and shape and musical line and expression; mask work; what is drama; the structure of story; the singer’s role as a part of a production; improvisation; pairing text and music; singer as task master; basics of the business of singing; and combining verbal language, musical language and body language.