Salt Spring Baroque is pleased to host a Vocal Workshop with soprano and voice teacher Erin Bardua.

When:  July 26, 27 and 28, 2023

Where:  Lions Club Hall, 103 Bonnet Avenue, Salt Spring Island

What:  This workshop will cover a range of topics related to vocal care and sustainability, as well as group singing and private lessons  – all voice types, skill levels and ages are welcome.  July 26 and 27 will consist of full day sessions from 9:30 – 5:30, and on July 28 Erin will give private lessons to those who are interested.  For now we are offering 1/2 hour private lessons – depending on how many participants want lessons you might be able to have a longer lesson for an added fee.

Fee:  The fee for the first two days is $140, if you would like to have a 1/2 hour lesson on the third day the total fee is $175.  To register, pay the fee for either 2 days only or 2 days plus lesson using the button below (for credit card or Paypal), or send an e-transfer to info@saltspringbaroque.com.  You will receive a followup email to confirm your registration.

(Note:  to register, click on the black button above which will take you to the TIX website.  Once on the TIX website, click the green “Buy Tix” button to select the option of workshop plus lesson, or workshop no lesson  –  prior to checking out you will need to set up a TIX account.  This can be done by clicking on the person icon in the top right next to the shopping cart.  If you are having trouble with this, you can send an e-transfer to info@saltspringbaroque.com or just send us a note at info@saltspringbaroque.com and we will get it sorted out for you!)

Accommodation/Transportation:  All participants are responsible for their own accommodation and transportation.

Meals:  Participants are responsible for their own lunch – full kitchen facilities are available at the venue if needed.  Snacks and tea/coffee will be provided at breaks.

Concert:  The workshop will conclude with a celebratory concert by Erin Bardua on Friday, July 28th @7:00 pm at All Saints by-the-Sea Church.  This concert is open to the public and free for workshop participants.

Covid Precautions:  Masks recommended, room will be ventilated using a Corsi-Rosenthal box fan and open doors/windows.  Breaks can be taken outside.

Provisional Schedule:  On Wednesday and Thursday, the workshop will run from 9:30-5:30.  Private lessons will be held on Friday, and you will be able to book a time slot that works for you.  (A more detailed schedule will be available closer to the workshop date.)

Workshop Topics:

Session topics will be chosen from the following :

1. Vocal anatomy & function: what am I doing when I breathe and sing?

2. Vocal health and hygiene: caring for an irreplaceable instrument

3. Voice changes throughout life, especially “aging” voices (which is all voices)

4. Warming up and cooling down: why and how to do both

5. SOVT (semi-occluded vocal tract) exercises for happier voice use

6. Bodywork and movement: voice beyond the larynx

7. Improvisation

8. Ornamentation (bring a solo Baroque piece if you like, e.g., part or all of an aria from Messiah)

9. Messiah Choruses: let’s review the yikes spots

10. Group sing (one or two ensemble selections we work on and sing together)

Instructor Bio:

Soprano Erin Bardua https://www.erinbardua.com/ is a frequent soloist, voice teacher, and stage director. Erin teaches voice for classical, musical theatre, choral and solo singers, as well as many other types of voice users. She is able to help students build a healthy, sustainable vocal technique; prepare for auditions & performances; increase musicianship and sight-singing ability; and become well-rounded, expressive performers. She is also a Certified Trans Voice Alteration teacher.

Bardua is a co-founder of Essential Opera, a frequent stage and concert performer, and director based in Atlantic Canada. She has sung with Vancouver Opera, Pacific Opera Victoria, the Talisker Players, Nota Bene Baroque Players, Pax Christi Chorale, the Toronto Sinfonietta, the Oshawa-Durham Chorus, the Arcady Baroque Ensemble, Capella Intima, London Pro Musica, the Menno Singers, and the Halifax Summer Opera Festival, among others.  Erin’s operatic roles have encompassed numerous Mozart including Pamina (Die Zauberflöte), the Countess (Le nozze di Figaro) and Donna Anna (Don Giovanni); and title roles in Alcina (Handel) and Paride ed Elena (Gluck).

Erin Bardua