Music
Welcome to the Vocal Performance Institute
The Vocal Performance Institute (VPI) is a five-day program presented each summer for students in grades 9 through 12. All activities are held on the historic UD main campus and instruction is provided by Department of Music faculty, along with professional guest artists from Dayton-area organizations including the Dayton Opera and the Human Race Theater.
Scholarships are available on a limited basis.
The 2024 Vocal Performance Institute has been cancelled. Please stay tuned for 2025 information.
For more information, please contact Dr. Minnita Daniel-Cox
Professor; Vocal Area Coordinator
Adjunct Faculty, Voice
Assistant Professor of Choral Music and Music Education
Assistant Professor; Music Performance Degree Coordinator
Lecturer, Voice; Opera Workshop
Assistant Professor, Voice
The Vocal Performance Institute offers a curriculum that is perfect for young singers seeking to prepare for college auditions or for those who simply love to perform and wish to learn more. VPI sessions and events are geared toward both learning and fun. VPI participants enjoy these activities in a college setting, utilizing several facilities throughout campus. Below are just some typical institute activities.
Past Workshop Topics:
- Introduction to musicology
- Introduction to the voice
- Introduction to French diction
- Introduction to German diction
- Introduction to Italian diction
- IPA
- Stage makeup
- Movement
- Comportment
- A history of singers
- Vocal ensembles
- Learning the art of practicing and auditioning
- Daily individual voice lessons
- Master classes held by UD faculty and guest artists from the Human Race Theater and the Dayton Opera
- A "Life as an Artist" discussion panel
- A culminating Gala Recital, free and open to friends and family
Typical Extracurricular Activities:
- Daily morning yoga & warm-up sessions
- Chaperoned dinners at local restaurants
- Dinner, bowling and pool in The Hangar (on campus)
- Faculty recital
- Visits to UD's state-of-the-art Rec Plex facility
- Movie night
- $450 for commuting campers
- $675 for overnight campers