After auditioning for Joan Dornemann and others, and competing against applicants from all over the world, Ally was selected to participate in 2 International Vocal Arts Institute (IVAI) Music Programs this past Summer ie Inaugural Music Program and Festival in Blacksburg Virginia (at Virginia Tech), which ran from June 21-July 3, 2010; and the 24th Annual Opera Program in Tel Aviv Israel which ran from July 6-July 31, 2010.
Both programs were geared to the Graduate Student and the Young Professional Singer; as a rising junior at Mannes, Ally was one of the 2 youngest singers in both programs, so it was quite the honor for Ally to be invited to these very prestigious programs.
The Virginia program only had 34 singers, and was an intense 2 weeks of numerous performances throughout each day. Every day was filled with master classes; vocal technicque classes; voice lessons; and concerts. Ally worked with some of the best teachers in the world, including Joan Dornemann (Assistant Conductor at Met; Artistic Director for IVAI); Mignon Dunn (Voice teacher-Manhattan School); Ruth Falcon (Ally's voice teacher at Mannes); Gerald Martin Moore (Voice teacher who works with Renee Fleming); Sherill Milnes (Master Artist at Met); Paul Nadler (Conductor at Met); Diana Soviero (Voice Teacher at Met) just to name a few.
On the 4th of July, Ally flew from Roanoke, VA to Tel Aviv Israel. The singers stayed in a very nice hotel in downtown Tel Aviv, a nice change from the dorms at Virginia Tech! This program included 50 Israeli singers and 50 international singers (which included singers from literally all over the world!). The faculty at this "mother of all music programs" included Joan, Ruth, Mignon, Gerald, and Paul, but also Giovanna Canetti (Voice teacher at La Scala); Robert Cowart (Language coach, Met, Manhattan, Juilliard); Benton Hess (Conductor, Eastman); Hemdi Kfir (Language coach, Israeli Opera and Met); Giovanna Maresta (Stage Director, La Scala); Liora Maurer (Vocal Coach, Met; NYC Opera) and many other incredible teachers, coaches, conductors and instrumentalists.
During a week day, Ally would participate in a master class by Ruth, Mignon, Joan, or Benton, and usually have a voice lesson with her teacher Ruth, and a coaching. At night, there was always a concert to attend. During the last week, the Program performed an Opera each night for the community, and Ally says each night was "standing room only!" A few of the operas performed were "The Bear"; "Idomeneo"; "Gianni Schiecchi"; and "La Fille Du Regiment."
The final evening included a Gala Concert with Orchestra at The Performing Arts Center, and Ally sang in the chorus.
