Ready for a life-changing summer?
The Lehrer Vocal Institute is the leading source to develop artists of impact and prepare them for a 21st century career. Expert teaching artists collaborate and mentor participants to prepare them for performances — from a fully-staged opera and contemporary projects to competitions and public masterclasses — while providing abundant training and dynamic opportunities to support both the on and off-stage experience.
26 vocal institute fellows & 10 studio artists enrolled per summer
Training & Performance Opportunities
2023 Opera: Puccini's La bohème
The fully-staged production will be conducted by Daniela Candillari.
Marilyn Horne Song Competition
Compete for a $5,000 cash award, a Santa Barbara recital featuring a commissioned work, and more.
Private Lessons & Masterclasses
Study one-on-one with pedagogues from our world-class teaching artist roster.
Additional Opportunities
Participate in Chamber Concerts and in Recital.
Directing Fellowship
Prepare for a career as a stage director. Work with teaching artists as Assistant Director of La bohème, in collaboration on a Creative Project, and more.
Industry Day
Singers and pianists will be heard by and receive critical feedback from prominent artist managers and casting directors.
Latin Song Concert & Creative Project
2023 fellows will present a program of Latin song curated and coached by Ana María Martínez and César Cañón, and perform in an innovative, contemporarary production.
New! Studio Artists
Up to 9 additional singers and 1 pianist will be invited for a 3-week residency. Sing in the opera chorus, a curated performance, lessons, plus coachings and classes.
And So Much More...
Vocal Institute Teaching Artists
Sasha Cooke
co-director, Vocal Institute
John Churchwell
co-director, Vocal Institute, chamber music
Daniela Candillari
principal opera conductor
César Cañón
principal coach, studio artists
James Darrah
co-producer & director, special project
Marjani Forté-Saunders
movement coach
Margo Garrett
teaching artist
Manuel Gutierrez
teaching artist, dancer
Martin Katz
teaching artist
Isabel Leonard
guest artist, mezzo-soprano
William Long
assistant conductor & chorus master, opera
Ana María Martínez
Mosher guest artist, soprano
Gerald Martin Moore
vocal pedagogue
Nino Sanikidze
vocal coach
Tamar Sanikidze
head of vocal piano
Bill Schuman
vocal pedagogue
Craig Terry
co-producer & music director, special project
Joel Thompson
composer
Mo Zhou
opera director
Maureen Zoltek
vocal coach
