Students perform in the final showcase of the 2011 Summer Vocal Institute: Musical Theater Institute. Photo by: Kevin J. Andersen

The Hartt School Community Division (HCD) of the University of Hartford will host its Summer Vocal Institute: Musical Theater Intensive from June 23 to July 1, 2012. The program is designed for students grades 8 to 12, and offers an intensive program for performers who want to take their skills to the next level. The studend will take daily classes in acting, singing and dancing, culminating in a public performance.

HARTT COMMUNITY DIVISION ANNOUNCES 2012 SUMMER VOCAL INSTITUTE: MUSICAL THEATER INTENSIVE PROGRAM
Individually Tailored Material Key Part of Program for Performers Grades 8 to 12

West Hartford, CT – January 26, 2012.  Singers, dancers, and actors: Mark your calendars!  This summer, The Hartt School Community Division will host its Summer Vocal Institute: Musical Theater Intensive (SVI: MTI) from June 23 to July 1, 2012.

Designed especially for students grades 8 to 12, SVI: MTI is a personalized and intensive program for singers, actors, and dancers who want to take their vocal, dramatic, and dance skills to the next level in a short time.  Along with daily acting, dance, and voice classes, participants study, rehearse, and perform musical scenes chosen specifically for them by the experienced SVI: MTI directors, resulting in a public performance at the end of the program.  The theme of this year’s program is A Broadway Journey: Travel the world with your favorite musical theater characters!

Auditions for SVI: MTI will take place at The Hartt School, University of Hartford, on Saturday, February 11, 2012, 2:00 PM – 5:30 PM; and Sunday, March 18, 2012, 2:00 PM – 5:30 PM.  Alternatively, applicants may submit an audition video via e-mail or mail a performance DVD, along with their resumes, to program director Nancy Andersen at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Recorded auditions must be postmarked or sent electronically no later than Wednesday, April 2, 2012.  To schedule an audition, learn more about the audition/application requirements, and/or to get more information about the program, contact the Hartt Community Division main office at 860.268.4451 or visit http://harttweb.hartford.edu/community/.

Guest faculty already confirmed for 2012 include:
·         Voice and Acting: Janelle Robinson
·         Acting and Improv: Emma Tattenbaum-Fine
·         Stage Director: Michelle Tattenbaum
·         Music Director: Neil Ginsberg
·         Dance / Choreography: Kristen Schoen-Rene
·         Peak Performance: Rae Tattenbaum
Hartt Community Division faculty members will round out the faculty for the program.  Other prominent guest artists will be added before the start of the program.  Broadway guest artists from past years include Alan Held from the Metropolitan Opera; Craig Schulman from Les Miserables, The Phantom of the Opera, and Jekyll and Hyde; Lisa Rohinsky from Gypsy; Wendy Cavett from Mama Mia; Sarah Pfisterer, from The Phantom of the Opera and Showboat; and actor/director Kirby Ward from the West End’s Crazy for You and several Broadway productions.

The Hartt School Community Division (HCD) of the University of Hartford is a comprehensive community arts school that annually provides performing arts instruction to more than 2,000 students.  HCD offers a variety of lessons, classes, and performance opportunities in music and dance for students of all ages, experience levels, and abilities.  For more information on The Hartt School Community Division, visit www.hcd.hartford.edu.

The Hartt School is the comprehensive performing arts conservatory of the University of Hartford that offers innovative degree programs in music, dance, and theatre.  Founded in 1920, Hartt has been an integral part of the University of Hartford since its charter merged the then Hartt School of Music, the Hartford Art School, and Hillyer College to create the University in 1957.  2010 marked Hartt’s 90th year of providing world class performing arts education to students in Greater-Hartford and around the world.  With more than 400 concerts, recitals, plays, master classes, dance performances, and musical theatre productions a year, performance is central to Hartt’s curriculum.  For more information about The Hartt School, visit www.hartford.edu/hartt.