The International Vocal Arts Workshop is an interdisciplinary arts program that takes place in and draws upon the rich culture of Grožnjan, Croatia. Founded in 2006 by Jane McMahan, professor of voice at Barnard College, Columbia University, the program brings together singers, actors, dancers and instrumentalists from across the United States and Europe.

While the central focus of the program is on vocal study and performance, numerous guest teachers and lecturers are invited to lead workshops on everything from mask making, puppetry and stilt walking, to capoiera, dance, and yoga.

Fostering this interdisciplinary collaboration is our home base, the beautiful town of Grožnjan. Half an hour from the Adriatic coast and two hours from Venice, Grožnjan has been a gathering place for artists and home to the Jeunesses Musicales International Culture Centre for over 30 years.

We encourage interaction with the town's resident artists and visiting tourists for whom we present four performances: a classical vocal program in Grožnjan's concert hall, a street theater performance that winds through the village's cobbled lanes, a carnival parade during the annual festival, and an intimate cabaret performance. We also reserve an afternoon for the Symposium, an event during which students, performers and scholars present papers on a performance theme and leads discussion on the topic.

In June 2010, we will gather for the 5th installment of the International Vocal Arts Workshop in Grožnjan, Croatia. The program will be held from June 7th to June 24th. Instruction will be provided by:

• Jane McMahan, director and vocal coach, Columbia University
• Kamini Dandapani, Carnatic song and Bharatanatyam, Trinity College of Music
• Lea and Rok Zelenko, artist in residence, Grožnjan
• Kasia Tercz and Robert Wojciechowski, acting, puppetry, stilt walking, Lodz Puppet Theater
• Olinda Brasil, percussion, dance, capoeira, carnival
• Yulia Potulova, piano, vocal and language coaching
• Sam Lee, folk singing

The estimated cost of the program is $2,300. This price includes daily vocal instruction, daily rehearsal with a pianist, workshop instruction, materials, room and board, and three meals a day.

Applicants of all ages and backgrounds are encouraged to apply.