Dear NOA Colleagues:

Dr. Joshua May

On behalf of the Schwob School of Music of Columbus State University (CSU) I am pleased to extend a very warm welcome to the Southeastern Regional Conference of the National Opera Association.  The School of Music is pleased to host this meeting of seasoned opera directors, singers, coaches, collaborative pianists, opera educators and opera enthusiasts!

The Joyce and Henry Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University is comprised of a community of artists committed to the highest standards of artistry and education, all delivered in a nurturing learning environment. Located just 100 miles from Atlanta, The Schwob School of Music is housed within the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts on Columbus State University’s Downtown RiverPark campus right in the heart of Columbus’ vibrant, artistic, riverside community. Schwob’s facilities include three concert halls, state-of-the-art classrooms and recording studios, and a dedicated music library. More info is at www.columbusstate.edu/music

I encourage you to come visit one of Georgia’s most beautiful cities to share your expertise in performance, education, and opera stage direction!

Dr. Joshua May
Assistant Professor of Voice & Opera Director
Southeastern Regional Governor

Registration Information

Registration for this conference is just $50 for NOA members, $70 for non-members, and $25 for students.  Registration page and a complete schedule will be forthcoming. Please encourage your students to participate by nominating them to perform with other students from across our region in the opera scenes workshop. Questions can be directed to: Dr. Joshua May, NOA Southeastern Regional Governor and Conference Host: may_joshua3@columbusstate.edu 

Featured Clinicians

DAVID RONIS, the Karen K. Bishop Director of Opera at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, previously taught Queens College, Hofstra University, and Wagner College. Recently awarded Second Place Winner of The American Prize Charles Nelson Reilly Award for Opera Directing, he is also a seven-time National Opera Association Production Competition winner. His guest directing engagements include Shreveport Opera, SUNY Potsdam, Rutgers University, Queens Symphony Orchestra, La Musica Lirica, and Manhattan School of Music’s “From Page to Stage” series. The co-founder of the Baroque Opera Workshop at Queens College, he has taught at the American Institute for Musical Studies in Graz, Austria (AIMS), Westchester Summer Vocal Institute, the Druid City Opera Workshop, and La Lingua della Lirica in Novafeltria, Italy. A specialist in teaching integrative acting and movement techniques for singers, Mr. Ronis has given master classes and workshops at universities throughout the United States. He is a certified teacher of the Michael Chekhov Acting Technique. As a performer, he has sung over 50 operatic roles with companies all over the world, concertized extensively, toured nationally in Disney's Beauty and the Beast, and appeared in independent films and nationally televised commercials. www.davidronis.com

KEITH A. WOLFE, General Director of Opera Birmingham comes to the company after fourteen seasons with Fort Worth Opera, first as Managing Director since 2001 then as Executive Director as of March 2014. He also served as the former Artistic Director of the Fort Worth Men’s Chorus, and was appointed as Interim Director of the Opera Studio at Texas Christian University in Fall 2013. During his tenure at Fort Worth Opera, Mr. Wolfe developed a number of expanded training programs for area young artists, including the development of the Fort Worth Opera Studio and formulated “The Ten Commandments of Auditions” with General Director Darren K. Woods, which was featured in Classical Singer magazine. Recent programming included strategic planning for singers in master classes and seminars, and served as a panelist for Opera America, presenting both the strategic planning process as well as how technology can be used to streamline the artistic process. Previously, Mr. Wolfe served for seven years as the General Manager of the Seagle Music Colony in upstate New York, the oldest young artist training program in the United States, where returned to conduct Mark Adamo’s Lysistrata, and workshops of Jorge Martín’s Before Night Falls and Joe Illick’s Bliss. Mr. Wolfe holds both bachelors and masters degrees in education and opera. Prior to moving into arts administration, he performed with the Virginia Opera, the Washington Opera, the Virginia Symphony, the Shreveport Symphony, and the Virginia Pro Musica. Among his roles, favorites include Tamino in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, Nemorino in Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore, and Nanki-poo in Gilbert and Sullivan’s Mikado.

Host School

The Joyce and Henry Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University is comprised of a community of artists committed to the highest standards of artistry and education, all delivered in a nurturing learning environment. Located just 100 miles from Atlanta, The Schwob School of Music is housed within the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts on Columbus State University’s Downtown RiverPark campus right in the heart of Columbus’ vibrant, artistic, riverside community. Schwob’s facilities include three concert halls, state-of-the-art classrooms and recording studios, and a dedicated music library. More info is at www.columbusstate.edu/music.

Information Overview

Date: February 15, 2020

Conference Host: Dr. Joshua May may_joshua3@columbusstate.edu

Cost:  $70.00 Non-members, $50.00 Members, $25.00 Student Participants

Conference Location: Schwob School of Music, Columbus State University (Columbus, GA)   https://music.columbusstate.edu/

Address: 900 Broadway, Columbus, GA 31901

Campus Map: https://dev1.columbusstate.edu/maps/index.php

Parking: Parking is open to the public free of charge in the River Center Deck Garage directly across from the Schwob School of Music at the downtown RiverPark Campus. 

Hotel Information: Columbus Marriott
https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/csgmc-columbus-marriott/

Hotel Address: 800 Front Ave, Columbus, GA 31901
     Note: The Marriott Hotel is in walking distance to the Schwob School of Music. The Marriott also offers shuttle service to and from the Columbus Airport.

Hotel Rate: $144.00 CSU Guest Rate (Includes taxes and fees)

Travel: Flights into Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, GA (ATL)  or Columbus, GA (CSG)

• Columbus, GA Airport Information: https://www.flycolumbusga.com/
• Groome Shuttle Service from Airport to Columbus, GA (Available 24 hours a day with on-line reservation): https://groometransportation.com/columbus/

     Note: Car Rental services & Ride Share are available at both the Atlanta or Columbus, GA airports

Meal Information: Catered lunch included with conference fee; Vegetarian, Gluten free options available upon request.

Uptown Columbus Dining Guide for Local Restaurants: http://www.uptowncolumbusga.com/plaintext/leftmenu/dine.aspx

Visitor’s Guide to Columbus, GA: https://visitcolumbusga.com/visit/things-to-do/

Downtown, Columbus, GA