Vocal Arts Festival and Symposium

Thursday, April 11, 2024

4:00-5:00PM - Dixon Annex Recital Hall
Lecture Recital Presentation: The Amazonian Lore of Waldemar Henrique
Poliana Alves, mezzo soprano and Thiago de Freitas, piano

These Amazonian mythical narratives are based on imaginary, rich, and fantastical episodes of hillbilly
bumpkin life. These themes have served for years as inspiration for poetic literary constructions. The
composer Waldemar Henrique stands out as a disseminator of this imagery, revealing in his works the
values, beliefs, experiences, and behaviors experienced by his characters in the Amazonian context.
Henrique translates through sung mythical narratives the riverine life filled with the language specific to
the Amazon region and indigenous traditions.

Waldemar Henrique's Amazonian mythical narratives emerge through mystical Brazilian legendary
elements. His characters are explored though imaginary dimensions in legends, myths, and Brazilian
identity.

5:15-6:15PM – Bass Choral Hall
Amy Pfrimmer
Lecture: Healthy Choice = Healthy Voice!
Discussion of healthy habits, and tips for vocal health and longevity

6:30-8:00PM - Dixon Annex Recital Hall
Festival Opening Master Class
Tulane and Visiting Artist Faculty Master Class
Amy Pfrimmer, Leonard Raybon, Belinda Andrews-Smith, Johnnie Bankens
Thiago de Freitas, piano

Friday, April 12, 2024 

10-11:30AM - 206 Dixon
Laban Movement Private Lessons
By appointment private yoga for performers sessions with Frank Ragsdale
30 minute sessions for $30 payable by venmo/paypal/zelle/cash.

12:30-1:30PM - Dixon Hall
Guest Artist Recital, Johnnie Bankens, bass, and Irena Cunev, piano - Southeastern Louisiana University

Johnnie Bankens, bass, and Irina Cunev, piano, will offer a presentation of French Art Song. Featured
works include Claude Debussy’s Chansons de Bilitis and Fêtes galantes II and Francis Poulenc’s Le
Bestiaire and Quatre poèmes de Guillaume Apollinaire. Written for low voice, these songs are a welcome
addition to mezzo-soprano, baritone, bass-baritone, and bass repertoire.

1:45-3:00PM - Bass Choral Hall
Discussion Panel: Representation: Pride, Inclusion, and Change in Lyric Theatre
Amy Pfrimmer, discussion leader with Frank Ragsdale, Johnnie Bankens, Belinda Andrew-Smith??,
Thiago de Freitas, Behrman’s Masterpiece Student Cast, followed by Q&A

3:15-4:45PM - Bass Choral Hall
Workshop - Laban for Singers: Laban Movement Analysis for Body Release and Character Development
Guest Artist Workshop, Frank Ragsdale – University of Miami
Aigerim Magavina, piano

Rudolf Laban was a Hungarian dancer, choreographer, and theorist, and is known as the father of
European Modern Dance. His method and language of movement were originally used by dancers and
choreographers but have been adapted for use by actors, musicians, conductors, athletes, therapists,
anthropologist, and many other disciplines. The Laban Movement Analysis (LMA) uses eight different
words with correlating actions to express all human emotions.

“Laban for Singers: Laban Movement Analysis for Body Release and Character Development” is an
interactive presentation that will show how these words and movements can greatly enhance teaching in
the studio to assist with body release. It further helps the student to find new and creative ideas for
character development.

5:00-6:00PM Dixon Annex Recital Hall
Guest Artist Recital, Poliana Alves, mezzo soprano and Thiago de Freitas, piano

Brazilian artists present Art Songs by Brazilian Masters - Nepomuceno, Chantal, Miranda, Setti, Villa-
Lobos, Guarnieri, de Oliviera, Nobre, Fernandez, Santoro, and Sivuca

6:00-7:15PM Dixon 118
Festival Reception

7:30-9:00PM Dixon Hall
One Act Opera Presentation with Composer/Cast Q&A
Behrman’s Masterpiece, by Maxim Samarov
JT Hassell, piano

Saturday, April 13, 2024

10:00-10:30 AM - Dixon 118
Coffee and Conversation

10:30-11:15AM - Bass Choral Hall
Guest Artist Master Class - Frank Ragsdale, University of Miami
James Kelley, piano

11:30AM-12:45PM - Bass Choral Hall
Guest Artist Master Class - Poliana Alves and Thiago de Freitas, University of Uberlandia, Brazil
Thiago de Freitas, piano

2:00-3:30PM - Dixon Annex Recital Hall
Sing Free! Adult Festival Singers Concert
James Kelley, piano

The Tulane Vocal Arts Festival and Symposium is sponsored by Carol Lavin-Bernick Faculty Grant and a
Newcomb Institute Faculty Grant.