MEROLA OPERA PROGRAM
601 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102 www.merola.org

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Organizations Filed Purposes: Merola Opera Program is a San Francisco based training program for opera singers, coaches, and stage directors.

Merola Opera Program's mission is the continuing education and professional training of the finest young operatic talent and the development of this talent into professional opera singers, coaches, conductors, and directors of the highest artistic caliber.

THE MEROLA OPERA PROGRAM:Usually each year, more than 800 artists between the ages of 20 and 34 audition at sites across the country and fewer than 30 are chosen, making it an honor to be accepted into the Merola Opera Program.Merola participants receive intensive training for 11-12 weeks. The program in 2020 was offered free of financial burden to the artists, including all online training and a stipend to help defray living expenses (which had they come to San Francisco would have been provided free of charge). All of the 2020 artists have been invited back to participate in the program in 2021 since the 2020 program was significantly truncated due to covid-19. After the 2021 program, participants will be eligible for career grants and some will be selected to be Adler Fellows with the San Francisco Opera in 2022.

The program includes: Musical Style and Interpretation; Stage Technique; Ensemble Work; Movement; Accompaniment; Makeup; Acting; Fencing; Conducting; Vocal Role Coaching; Prompting; Languages and Diction;and Career Coaching.The true highlight of the program is the offering of master classes, where some of opera's most exciting legends transfer their knowledge to the next generation of Merola artists. Participants have several chances to demonstrate their artistic growth as they peform two fully staged operas during the summer, a scenes concert, and the famed Merola Grand Finale at the War Memorial Opera House.

THE PROGRAM IS OFFERED FREE OF FINANCIAL BURDEN TO THE ARTISTS,INCLUDING THEIR TRANSPORTATION, HOUSING, ALL TRAINING, AND A WEEKLYSTIPEND. TO ACCOMPLISH THIS GOAL, THE PROGRAM RELIES ON THE SUPPORT OFCOUNTLESS INDIVIDUALS, FOUNDATIONS AND OTHER GRANTING ENTITIES.MEROLA ARTISTS COMPLETE THE PROGRAM WITH A CLEAR IDEA OF WHAT THEIRNEXT STEPS WILL BE MUSICALLY, ARTISTICALLY AND TECHNICALLY AS THEYPURSUE THEIR CAREERS IN OPERA. SOME STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAMFOR A SECOND SUMMER AND A SELECT FEW GO ON TO BECOME ADLER FELLOWS WITHTHE SAN FRANCISCO OPERA.

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