Virtual Workshop Series
For all singers and singing teachers around the world!
Can’t come to all of them? Register for one or a package of 4, 7, or all 10.
Busy on these dates? Register and receive a recording to watch later!
The Entrepreneurial ArtistBecoming a Nervous System Virtuoso
Joshua Garvey
July 31
Demystifying Classical OrnamentationMatteo Dalle Fratte
August 2
Adding Authenticity to Italian DictionClaire Galloway
August 6
Christine Schneider
August 4
Conquering French & German DictionLaryngeal & TMJ Self-Massage
Ivey Ray
August 7
Greg Eldridge
August 11
Camera Ready Makeup with Ivey Ray!Confidence with ContractsMairin Srygley
August 13
Annie Gill
August 14
Ruby Rose Fox
Annie Calvaneso
July 28
July 29
On-Camera Techniques for MusiciansMaximizing Your Vocal Health
For early career opera singers local to Baltimore or the Greater-Maryland region looking for a professional development community!
August 2 to 15, 2025
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Baltimore, MD
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August 2 to 15, 2025 | Baltimore, MD |
Why we matter…
Charm City Opera Retreat was born out out a need for local and affordable professional development opportunities for early career classical singers. There are no programs like this is the Maryland metro-region; comparable program tuition can range from $3,000-$5,000 and requires extended travel hundreds of miles away. CCOR solves that problem!This two-week intensive will provide participants the opportunity to polish their audition package, receive in-depth coaching on their aria selections, and build a peer & mentorship network. With a variety of topics and holistic approaches, our faculty is dedicated to nurturing your authentic artistry as you prepare to launch your career.
Impact on Artists
Our mission is to support, inspire, and empower emerging, early career artists as they take the next step in their careers. While the audition process is the focus of our work, our faculty was specially vetted and invited because of their expertise, compassionate approaches and the artistic enrichment they provide. CCOR is a safe space for singers to try, experiment, and find the fullness of their voices while establishing confidence in their work as performing artists. Additionally, your Ready-to-Go audition package will receive a boost with a performance credit at Baltimore's historic An die Musik and two professional video & audio recordings. Additionally, all CCOR members are automatically enrolled in our Virtual Workshop Series.Inaugural Participants
Our inaugural retreat is limited to 10 participants. All applications will be reviewed by the co-founders and invitations will be sent in late-July. Participants will be chosen based on the strength of their personal statement and after evaluation of current audition materials.
It's important to note that Charm City Opera Retreat is a professional development program. We know not every applicant is going to have a complete audition package or be auditioning for principal roles. If you think CCOR can benefit you and your goals then we want to hear from you!
CCOR participants will meet at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Downtown Baltimore August 2-15 with details and scheduled being announced via email. Applicants who are not chosen for this year's Core Program are invited to participate in the Virtual Workshop Series; individual sessions and packages are available for purchase. Who is eligible?
CCOR is meant to be a community of varied backgrounds, needs, and experiences with opportunities to learn and celebrate each other as individual artists. With this in mind, we do have some criteria potential applicants should consider:EARLY CAREER CLASSICAL SINGERS who are in the process of leveling up their future opportunities. Independent artists may be emerging but do not yet have representation, major foundational sponsorship, or mainstage contracts with national or international companiesRESIDE IN BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, or the greater-Maryland area This includes Central Maryland, DMV, and DelMarVa PeninsulaRELIABLE TRANSPORTATION to-and-from Downtown Baltimore is required. CCOR is not offering housing or transportation assistance at this timeTHERE ARE NO AGE LIMITATIONS. We do expect singers to be at a "post-education" career level so it is anticipated the majority of applicants will be 21+. There is no upper age limit.THERE ARE NO DEGREE REQUIREMENTS. Having all the letters is nice but not necessary. All we ask is that applicants have comparable knowledge and training in classical voice as workshops and coachings are beyond a fundamental level.
What you’ll get
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Ready-to-Go Audition Package
from portfolio to live panel, we’ll focus on polishing your entire audition experience to help you reach your career goals
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Professional Recordings
each in-person participant will perform in a live concert and a professional recording session. everyone leaves with at least two professional video-audio recordings
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Personalized Support
bring your audition repertoire to the next level with individualized language, style, and dramatic coaching with 1-1 faculty coaching, peer-led studio classes, and masterclasses
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Holistic Wellness
our holistic approach to singing includes physical training for singers with a physical therapist, and a wellness day with optional massage and acupuncture sessions
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Groundbreaking Faculty
the inaugural faculty has been personally vetted by the co-founders of CCOR and includes industry-leading teaching artists, university professors, and clinicians recognized for their supportive work with singing artists
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Virtual Workshop Series
ten incredible and industry-relevant sessions are for artists or teacher who wants to further their knowledge and skills from the comfort of home. Individual sessions and packages are available for purchase. All In-Person Program participants are automatically enrolled in the series
✺ Frequently asked questions ✺
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Charm City Opera Retreat is a two week intensive supporting Maryland-area emerging artists. Our mission is for all singers to feel prepared and supported through the upcoming audition season.
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CCOR 2025 will host all in-person activities at Emmanuel Episcopal in the Mt Vernon neighborhood of Baltimore, MD. The live performance and recording sessions will be held at An die Musik in the same neighborhood.
If you are not local to Baltimore, our virtual workshop series is completely digital and available to any singer or singing teacher who wants to attend.
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Your Charm City Opera Retreat Co-Founders are:
Mairin Srygley, mezzo soprano
Nicole Stover, soprano
Michael Pistorio, baritone
We are Maryland-based opera singers who created CCOR because there are no affordable opera development programs in our area. Particularly singers who may be post-training but are still emerging as independent artists. We saw a need and Mairin said “Then let’s do it ourselves!”
With that in mind, our inaugural faculty members were invited to participate based on our personal experiences with them across our own careers. Each person was chosen because they are known not only for their tremendous work and expertise, but for the kindness and support they offer as part of that process. Please stay tuned for faculty features on the website and social media media channels.
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Bring two to five arias in your audition package to refine, polish, explore and experiment with in your language, style, and dramatic coachings. Singers will get the most out of the experience when they arrive with memorized repertoire and clear goals about what they would like to record at the end of the two weeks.
If you are auditioning for chorus positions, two arias is adequate. If you are auditioning for festivals and principal roles, 5 arias is expected.
Each participant will have time to record at least two arias (opera, oratorio, MT) during the recording session.
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In the audition world, we’re always required to submit standard materials as part of their application process, and to have those ready at a moment’s notice. With CCOR you’ll leave with new audio and video recordings, updated resume, headshots, and a clear plan to fill any remaining holes in your package (website, YouTube, etc.). Plus you’ll have fresh inspiration and tools to show up to every audition knowing that you are what they are looking for!
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Yes and no! CCOR is based in Baltimore, MD and was designed with local singers in mind because there are no YAPs in MD, DC, or DE for early career singers. We will consider applicants from outside of MD (DC, DE, VA, WV and PA) if they provide compelling reason why CCOR is right for them!
All participants should have reliable transportation to and from Baltimore. CCOR does not offer housing or transportation assistance at this time.
If you are not local to the greater MD region, please sign up for our virtual workshop series!
