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<\/a>\u201cI decided I wanted to do something else with my life rather than being in academia,\u201d Kozma said. \u201cThe limitations in academia didn’t make me happy so I wanted to do something else.\u201d<\/p>\n
In 2010, Kozma and his wife moved to San Diego and explored how to start a young artist training program. In 2012, they founded OperaNEO \u2014 a training program for aspiring opera professionals. The opera training culminates with performances at the Palisades Amphitheater, located at the Palisades Presbyterian Church on Birchwood Street in Allied Gardens.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor our first couple of years, we tried hosting our performances at more traditional theatrical venues like the Point Loma Nazarene University performance space,\u201d Kozma said. \u201cWe sort of plunged into this open air theater experience in 2015. Since then, we’ve loved it so much that we basically moved all of our performances there, except our cabaret performances which we hold at the Encinitas Library.\u201d<\/p>\n
The OperaNEO company holds auditions in 13 different cities including Boston, New York, Chicago, Austin, Seattle and others for a $39 audition fee. Each year, they choose around 30 to 35 singers to join the program, which makes it quite competitive, considering the fact they had over 400 people audition this year.<\/p>\n
The program lasts five weeks and attendees are housed free of charge in guest rooms with host families. Transportation from the airport to their homes and to and from classes and performances is also free.<\/p>\n
OperaNEO offers two different programs for students. The first is a Studio Artist program for younger, less-experienced students priced at $3,600. This program offers one-on-one coaching with world-renowned artists, two voice lessons a week and coaching with a vocal coach once a week. Additionally, Studio Artist program attendees receive dramatic coaching, movement classes and master classes.<\/p>\n \u201cI love working with young singers, it gives me a lot of joy,\u201d Kozma said. \u201cThey always look at art with fresh eyes and enthusiasm and love, there’s no professional fatigue yet at all. It’s always about discovery and excitement and they look at art with curiosity.\u201d<\/p>\n OperaNEO\u2019s second program for Apprentice Artists, is for more experienced artists. Apprentice Artists receive a $800 stipend to participate in the program and free tuition. Additionally, Apprentice Artists are typically given lead roles in OperaNEO performances and are given opportunities to network with professionals.<\/p>\n Some OperaNEO alumni have went on to perform in famous opera companies such as the Boston Opera, Chicago Opera Theater and others.<\/p>\n \u201cAt OperaNEO, they teach you that the main goal for each singer is to showcase themselves as an individual versus a cookie-cutter singer,\u201d said Rancho Bernardo native and two-time program attendee Sarabeth Belon. \u201cIf you go to these big schools like Juilliard or others, they will just fit you into a mold to market you. At this program, they encourage each person to find what\u2019s unique about themselves so they can use it to make themselves stand out from the crowd.\u201d<\/p>\n To kick off their performance season, OperaNEO is moving indoors for the \u201cAria Marathon 2018\u201d on July 15 at 6 p.m. inside of the Palisades Presbyterian Church. The event is free, with a suggested $25 donation and serves to showcase the work of OperaNEO students.<\/p>\n From July 27-28, starting at 7:30 p.m., OperaNEO will be holding its annual Cabaret at the Encinitas Library located at 540 Cornish Drive. General admission tickets are $24 and in addition to performances, a buffet dinner will be offered.<\/p>\n To wrap up their summer, OperaNEO returns to the outdoor stage at Palisades for a packed schedule in August with performances of \u201cThe Merry Widow\u201d by F. Leh\u00e1r Aug. 2, 4\u00a0 and \u201cIdomeneo\u201d by W.A. Mozart Aug. 10\u201311.<\/p>\n All August shows start at 8 p.m. and there will be food trucks available for audience members to purchase refreshments. Also noteworthy is that there will be English subtitles available for foreign performances.<\/p>\n \u201cLet go of your preconceived notions about opera,\u201d said Apprentice Artist Sara Womble. \u201cThis is not, \u2018Let\u2019s dress up in a fancy dress and sit in an uncomfortable seat and watch people sing\u2019 type of thing. There are food trucks and a party and the show is not people in old fashioned costumes. This is people doing an adaptation of a classic with subtitles. For those who think opera is boring, I\u2019d challenge them to ever be bored during an OperaNEO show.\u201d<\/p>\n For more information about OperaNEO, visit their website operaneo.com or Facebook page, facebook.com\/operaneo<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/a>
flashed on a screen above the stairs (Courtesy operaNEO)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n