The Tulane Vocal Arts Festival and Symposium, April 11-13, 2024, is open to all student and professional

singers and pianists. Any Adult Singer over 21 years of age may apply for the Festival Singers Concert
Saturday, April 13, 2024. There is no age limit for those participating.

Our goal is to encourage the further study and excellence in classical singing, which plays a vital role in
the shaping of vocal performers. The festival brings together world-renowned artists/teachers in the field
of classical music to present master classes and workshops for students, singers, teachers of voice, voice
professionals, and those who simply love the human voice!

Registration is free and includes three days of professional development, concerts, panels, lectures, and
master classes. Participants will perform in and/or observe master classes and workshops taught by an
experienced panel of faculty artists of the highest caliber. Master Classes and guest artist faculty concert
performances are open to the public. A final free concert of adult festival singers, open to the public, will
be held as a special treat for all involved!

Schedule of Events
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
5:30-7:00 Behman’s Masterpiece - Opera Dress Rehearsal for TUVAF (JT) - DIXON

Wednesday, April 10, 2024

Artists de Freitas, Alves, Ragsdale arrive
Recital Hall and Dixon/Times TBD - Guest artist rehearsals as needed for recitals/presentations; Alves/de
Freitas, Bankens/Cuneva, piano
206 available after 1PM
1-1:50 Behrman Review – DACR JT

Thursday, April 11, 2024

TBD Locations Recital Hall and Dixon Hall/Times - Guest artist rehearsals as needed for
recitals/presentations; Bankens/Cuneva and Alves/de Freitas

12-3PM - 206 Dixon or ???

Laban Movement Private Lessons
By appointment private yoga for performers sessions with Frank Ragsdale
30 minute sessions for $30 payable by venmo/paypal/zelle/cash.
Available pianist??

4:00-5:00PM - Dixon Annex Choral Room or DARH??

Poliana Alves, mezzo soprano and Thiago de Freitas, piano
Lecture Recital presentation: The Amazonian Lore of Waldemar Henrique
These Amazonic mythical narratives are based on imaginary, rich, and fantastical episodes of hillbilly
bumpkin life. These themes have served for years as inspiration for poetic literary constructions. The
composer Waldemar Henrique stands out as a disseminator of this imagery, revealing in his works the
values, beliefs, experiences, and behaviors experienced by his characters in the Amazonian context.
Henrique translates through sung mythical narratives the riverine life filled with the language specific to
the Amazon region and indigenous traditions.
Waldemar Henrique's Amazonian mythical narratives emerge as a mystical Brazilian setting, in a place
that, under the lyrical gaze of the artist, gives rise to intriguing revelations of legendary elements in new
approaches. These are characters who disseminate a place of vast imaginary dimensions in legends,
myths, and Brazilian identity.
Thiago de Freitas, piano

5:15-6:15PM – DARH or DACR

Event TBD - Lecture or Recital presentation Tulane Faculty or other

6:30-8:00PM - Dixon Annex Recital Hall

Festival Opening Master Class
Tulane and Visiting Artist Faculty Master Class
Amy Pfrimmer, Leonard Raybon, Belinda Andrews-Smith, Johnnie Bankens
??, piano
Friday, April 12, 2024 (Guest Artist Recitals, Discussion Panels and
Presentations)
10-11:30AM - 206 Dixon
Laban Movement Private Lessons
By appointment private yoga for performers sessions with Frank Ragsdale
30 minute sessions for $30 payable by venmo/paypal/zelle/cash.
???, piano

10-12PM - HOLD Dixon Hall

Behrman’s Masterpiece Opera Rehearsal - MUSIC and walk through with Samarov

12:30-1:30PM - Bass Choral Hall or Dixon Annex Recital Hall

Guest Artist Recital, Johnnie Bankens, bass, and Irena Cunev, piano - Southeastern Louisiana
University
ADDITIONAL INFO TO COME Bankens presents Claude Debussy’s second book of Paul Verlaine’s
Fêtes galantes. The poems, brought to life through Debussy’s music, highlight the difficulty of romantic
relationships. Written for low voice, these songs are a welcome addition to mezzo-soprano, baritone,
bass-baritone, and bass repertoire.
Irina Cunev, piano

1:45-3:00PM - Bass Choral Hall or Dixon Room 118

Discussion Panel: Representation: Pride, Inclusion, and Change in Lyric Theatre
Amy Pfrimmer, discussion leader with Frank Ragsdale, Johnnie Bankens, Belinda Andrew-Smith??,
Thiago de Freitas, Behrman’s Masterpiece Student Cast, Others TBA?? followed by Q&A
No Pianist

3:15-4:45PM - Bass Choral Hall

Workshop - Laban for Singers: Laban Movement Analysis for Body Release and Character Development
Guest Artist Workshop, Frank Ragsdale – University of Miami
???? piano???
Rudolf Laban was a Hungarian dancer, choreographer, and theorist, and is known as the father of
European Modern Dance. His method and language of movement were originally used by dancers and
choreographers but have been adapted for use by actors, musicians, conductors, athletes, therapists,
anthropologist, and many other disciplines. The Laban Movement Analysis (LMA) uses eight different
words with correlating actions to express all human emotions.
“Laban for Singers: Laban Movement Analysis for Body Release and Character Development” is an
interactive presentation that will show how these words and movements can greatly enhance teaching in
the studio to assist with body release. It further helps the student to find new and creative ideas for
character development.

5:00-6:00PM Dixon Annex Recital Hall

Guest Artist Recital, Poliana Alves, mezzo soprano and Thiago de Freitas, piano
Brazilian artists present Art Songs by Brazilian Masters - Nepomuceno, Chantal, Miranda, Setti, Villa-
Lobos, Guarnieri, de Oliviera, Nobre, Fernandez, Santoro, and Sivuca
Thiago de Freitas, piano

6:00-7:15PM Dixon Hall Room 118 or Dixon Annex Atrium OR Room 100?
Festival Reception

7:30-9:00PM Dixon Hall

One Act Opera Presentation with Composer/Cast Q&A
Behrman’s Masterpiece, by Maxim Samarov
JT Hassell, piano

Saturday, April 13, 2024 (Master Classes and Festival Singers

Concert)
9:30-10:30 AM - Dixon Hall Room 118 or Dixon Annex Atrium??
Coffee and Conversation
10:30-11:15AM - Dixon Annex Choral Room
Guest Artist Master Class - Frank Ragsdale, University of Miami
James Kelley, piano

11:30AM-12:45PM - Dixon Annex Choral Room

Guest Artist Master Class - Poliana Alves and Thiago de Freitas, University of Uberlandia, Brazil
Thiago de Freitas, piano

12:45-1:45 LUNCH BREAK - on your own

(Order TBD # box lunches for guest artists, pianists, and Tulane faculty)

2:00-3:30PM - Dixon Annex Recital Hall

Sing Free! Adult Festival Singers Concert
James Kelley, piano
**Rehearsals can be scheduled ahead of time or the morning of for a fee of $30 payable to James Kelley.