Fly Gabrielle to Germany: Opera IPAI!

(April 2013, "Content to Be Behind Me" by Ben Moore; Gabrielle Richardson, Janette Sudderth, Colin McDearman)


Willkommen, meine Freunde!

From the first time I walked into the Margaret Martin Performing Arts Center and saw Puccini's "Tosca" at the Natchez Festival of Music, I knew music was what I wanted to pursue, and I knew that voice was the specific medium through which I could best communicate. I pestered my way into voice lessons and the rest is history! I am currently enrolled in USM's Master of Music - Vocal Performance program under the direction of Dr. Maryann Kyle. While undergrad saw me transform from an infant level singer to a competent musician grounded in the applied knowledge, technical foundation, and performance aspects of my field, this new phrase of my journey will see me transform yet again, this time into a MARKETABLE PRE-PROFESSIONAL ARTIST. And this is where all of you come in!


**HERE'S WHAT IT IS**


I have auditioned and been accepted into what is known as IPAI: the International Performing Arts Institute, located in Kiefersfelden, Germany, near the Germany/Austria border. The program is three and a half weeks long, and is held during the month of July, 2014.

http://internationalperformingartsinstitute.com/

This is a well known, internationally respected program designed specifically to help singers market themselves, develop networks and important contacts for the future, enter into the rich world of European, specifically German, opera (Germany is known for having some of the finest opera houses worldwide), learn the business ropes of our competitive field, and of course, gain exposure through public performances in Kiefersfelden and Munich.

I will be taking daily coaching lessons from mezzo Kirstin Chavez, the newest Carmen sensation to hit opera (Metropolitan Opera, Covent Garden London, Opera Graz Austria, Opera de Nice France, Dallas Opera, Santa Fe Opera), as well as veteran soprano Barbara Daniels (Opera de Bastille, Berlin Opera, Sydney Opera, Met Opera, every major opera house you can think of!).

(Central City Opera - Kirstin Chavez as Carmen)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zObLpBZgE-A

(Metropolitan Opera - Barbara Daniels in Die Fledermaus)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzEvZ7PX4gQ

I will be working under celebrated conductors and trainers; I will be taking intensive German language classes, voice lessons, diction, acting, dance, movement, and interpretation classes; I will have excursions to musical sites of note in the surrounding locales of Germany; and I will expand my networking contacts with other programs, conservatories, agents, and professional singers. I will also be participating in the Next Steps Career Development program, designed to give starting artists a business-boost in the art of navigating this competitive field.


**HERE'S WHAT I NEED!**


The program does provide some scholarship aid. That being said, the base tuition is $5000, not including airfare and extraneous fees, which run about $2000 roundtrip, for a grand total of about $7000. You can find out what all is included in the base tuition by visiting the website for the opera program.

The breakdown is as follows: approximately $2000 is covered in scholarships and aid, and I can afford to finance the other $3000 from my own personal savings which I've stored for just such an opportunity. What I CANNOT cover is the airfare and the extraneous fees. So, I'm asking you to please consider donating to my cause. I understand that $2000 is alot of money, and there are many uses toward which your dollars could be put. However, I'll say this: I have over 200 Facebook friends. If each one of you contributed only $10, I'd meet my benchmark. If 100 of you contributed $20, I'd meet my benchmark. If ONLY FORTY of you contributed $50 a piece, I'd be there! And hey, if one awesome person wants to be really nice and just write me a $2000 check... :P

It's not alot if -everyone- gets on board. I am going to ask you to share this around with your friends, even if I don't know them...tell them my story, tell them about this program, share this GoFundMe page with your Facebook groups and friends, email it, talk about it at church, text the link to people, work up some sponsors, share it with local theaters and arts groups! The more people we can get on board, the better!

I am planning to create a personalized CD with opera arias, art songs, and even a few pop covers that I have done. If enough people donate, I will send out copies of this CD in appreciation for your support! (All legal copies, of course!).

Spread the word, please help me achieve this next step on my dream journey, and God bless you all!
With love,
~Gabrielle Richardson~

("Hallelujah" pop cover, featuring myself on vocals and keyboard)
https://soundcloud.com/ann-gabrielle-richardson/hallelujah-cover

("Billy the Kid", from Libby Larsen's classical song cycle "Three Cowboy Songs")
https://soundcloud.com/ann-gabrielle-richardson/cowboy-songs-billy-the-kid-by

("Ach, ich fuhls" excerpt, from Mozart's opera "The Magic Flute")
https://soundcloud.com/ann-gabrielle-richardson/ach-ich-fuhls



(Gabrielle Richardson, April 2013)