The Bella Voce Women’s Chorus Mentoring Program offers women the
unique opportunity to advance in their musical careers through a
supportive mentoring program that provides a variety of leadership
experiences and direct feedback and instruction by multiple
professionals for each step of their development from rehearsal
preparation through performance.
Bella
Voce Women’s Chorus of Vermont was founded in 2004 by Dr. Dawn O.
Willis. Within the first year, Dr. Willis identified the need in the
community for intern and mentorship opportunities for young women,
particularly music education majors at local colleges. Through this
program, Bella Voce supports 3-5 Mentoring Program Members (MPMs) each
year who seek to become professional conductors, music educators
and/or accompanists. This program is primarily for college
students with vocal talent who are also interested in becoming
professional accompanists and/or choral conductors or educators.
The
Conducting Intern and Assistant Accompanist will be provided with at
least one major performance opportunity during the Bella Voce season.
The Conducting Intern presents at least one music foundations lesson
to the chorus.
Mentoring Program Members may act as chorus section leaders.
The Conducting and Accompanist Interns will be part of the
Music Leadership Team. Through this program, the members will
build leadership, conducting and accompanist skills, gain an
understanding of the skills needed to run a choral program and build
qualifications for employment and further education.
Dr. Dawn
O. Willis works one-on-one with each MPM to assist members with
repertoire – from explaining the rationale for her selections to
specifics to enhance performance of both the chorus and accompanists.
The
Assistant Director, Glory Douglas, provides teaching support and
mentorship from her position as a director of a high school choral
program and access to her extensive network of colleagues in Vermont
and nationwide.
Shirley
Smith, Accompanist, works with the Assistant Accompanist and the Music
Director to determine which accompanist will perform which pieces. She
also offers her extensive years of experience as a choral accompanist
to the intern, providing invaluable “tips of the trade” to facilitate
learning.
Bella Voce
Women’s Chorus of Vermont has openings for collegiate female vocalists
considering careers in conducting or music education.
·
Sing with an
auditioned choir of 45 women
(rehearsals Monday nights at Essex High School, 7 - 9:30 pm)
·
Develop
leadership skills
·
Participate in
high quality musical performances!
For more information, contact Dr.
Dawn Willis, Bella Voce Director at director@bellavoce.org.
Special thanks to
the Vermont Women's Fund, a component fund of the Vermont Community
Foundation, for underwriting this years program.
