The Hawai’i Performing Arts Festival is a training program that provides the necessary tools for young, aspiring singers. The opportunity to hone one’s craft on the Big Island is something magical! Being a part of the Hawai’i Performing Arts Festival was an experience of a lifetime for me: I made long lasting friendships, relationships with mentors and now colleagues, got to prepare and perform an opera role with orchestra all while being fully immersed in the beautiful Hawaiian culture and aloha spirit.
Soprano, Cecilia Violetta López, named one of opera’s “25 Rising Stars” by Opera News.
Who This Is For
The Margareta and Staffan Encrantz Professional Fellowship is intended for exceptional young artists who are career ready. Only highly competitive artists need apply.
- Operatic applicants should have completed at least one recognized young artist program (i.e. Santa Fe Opera, Central City Opera, Opera Saratoga, Sarasota Opera, etc.), or be able to demonstrate that level of ability in audition and application materials.
- Musical theatre applicants should have regional leading and supporting credits, understudy, and/or swing experience, or be able demonstrate that level of ability in audition and application materials.
Curriculum
Hawaii Performing Arts Festival is pleased to offer a professional training performance for young artists who are career ready. While in residence, Encrantz Fellows receive five voice lessons, coachings, and participate in masterclasses and workshops with industry professionals. All fellows will sing a leading role in one of the festival’s mainstage productions.
Previous participants have received offers for professional representation and secured regional contracts as a result of their work at HPAF. Many of the program’s alumni have also gone onto sing with some of the nations greatest companies, including: Broadway, National Tours, The Metropolitan Opera, Virginia Opera, Sarasota Opera, Opera Tampa, and Florida Grand Opera, among others.
The primary curricular focus of this program will be on the study, staging, and performance of a role. Acting and movement instruction will be a part of the rehearsal process. Participants will receive a minimum of two private voice lessons per week. Private coaching sessions will be ongoing and geared toward performance preparation. Additionally, there will be several optional classes which will focus on continuing education, career development, and/or audition skills.
ALL PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS will receive education and experiences in traditional Hawaiian arts, history, and local landmarks. The beauty of the Hawaiian culture and ‘Āina are essential to the experience of our Festival.
Audition Requirements
For your recorded audition, you must submit the following:
- Two contrasting musical selections of your choice, at least one selection must be in English.
- If you are wishing to be considered for a specific role(s) in either production, please feel free to include that character’s aria or song in your submission.
- If you are wishing to be considered for a role in The Marriage of Figaro, one of your two pieces must be in Italian (Mozart, preferred).
- If you are wishing to be considered for a role in A Little Night Music, one of your two pieces must be a musical theatre selection in the style of the show (Sondheim, preferred).
- A one minute monologue.
Tuition & Financial Aid
All Encrantz Fellows receive a full-tuition waiver, shared housing accommodations for 20 nights, and on-campus meals while in residence. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided on all days on-site, except performance days, tech days, and Festival dark days.
Roundtrip airfare to/from Kona (KOA) is the responsibility all participants. A rental car will be required for the duration of the Festival and can be shared amongst participants to lower the cost. Car shares can be arranged by contacting Shayna Leahy, Artistic Administrator, at sleahy@hawaiipaf.org, following the acceptance of an offer.
