“first-of-its kind”

Called a “revolutionary young artist program” (Operawire), OFP offers exclusive training, performance, and professional development opportunities to international soloists.

A primary obstacles for young artists is navigating the time after conservatory. These well-trained musicians have a strong technical foundation, but need additional time and support to develop nuanced style, details and precision. These details come with experience, but few professional houses have the time or resources to dedicate to a singer who is not already a seasoned performer. This is a seemingly insurmountable challenge: One needs experience to be hired in an opera house, but one needs to be in a house to gain that experience.

Creating an Environment to Excel

Fellows at OFP work 1:1 with a team from the National Theater isolating and then combining technical, stylistic and dramatic components, resulting in superior artistry brought to the stage. At OFP all training is 1:1, and Fellows have individual training every day.

OFP is proud to be the only program of its kind where singers make a professional international debut during the program, and have the potential to be offered house contracts directly from their fest participation.

Programming Includes:

• Exclusive House-Auditions

• Solo with Professional Orchestra
  Each Fellow selects a piece of their choosing to perform.

• Individual Coachings Every Day

• 1:1 Instruction with A-Level House master instructors including:

Jaroslav Kyzlink
Conductor, National Theater Prague
Jiri Strunc
Conductor, National Theater Prague
Dr. Martin Otava, Ph.D.
Director: Divadlo J. K. Tyla v Plzni
Zdeněk Klauda
Head of Musical Preparatoin: Národní divadlo

• Daily Masterclasses (working 1:1) with OFP’s exclusive team from the A-Level Houses. Masterclasses run the entire day, concurrently with individual coachings.

• HD Photo & Video with orchestra for each Fellow.

• HD Video recordings with piano.

• Sport/Performance Mental Health Training Sessions Fellows each recive coaching from the Illinois Sport Performance Institute team addressing, helping Fellows with skills to support performance health including: performance or audition anxiety, navigating challenging training enviornments, overcoming obstacles, nutrition & hydtration for performance-day etc.

• Exclusive Professional development opportunities, available only to
  OFP Fellows

Solo with orchestra

OFP’s 1:1 Training focuses on the Voice Fellows solo repertoire. Each Fellow selects a piece of their choosing to perform in concert with the theater’s house orchestra.

Professional photographers and videographers are onsite all week, providing tangible multi-media takeaways; central to the OFP experience. All Voice Fellows receive professional HD video recordings with orchestra and piano, and professional performance images.

Individual Training

HOUSE AUDITIONS

OFP is privileged to have exclusive relationships with some of Prague’s top house General Directors. Voice Fellows will receive multiple house auditions during the program, auditioning directly for the decision makers of these houses.

OFP is the only program of its kind where singers have the potential to be offered house contracts directly from their fest participation.

Performance Mental Health Coaching

Fellows at OFP work 1:1 with team members from the Illinois sport and Performance Institute (ISPI). ISPI’s team offers tools and guidance to build confidence, empower strength in competition, strategies to navigate challenging training environment, manage distractions and optimize performance.

ISPI is a proud member of the USIOC - US Olympic Registry and regularly consult with athletes and musicians of all levels internationally.