Vocal Overview
The Vocal Department consists of over 260 singers from every corner of the Las Vegas Valley. They are the largest major at the 12-time Grammy award-winning Las Vegas Academy of the Arts. This program consists of six major choral ensembles, two vocal jazz ensembles, a contemporary a cappella ensemble, and an opera/musical theatre ensemble. Our program is for any student that is passionate about singing, performing, creating, producing, conducting, composing, and teaching vocal music. We have countless opportunities for ambitious and hard-working students to perform and fine-tune their craft.
CHORAL ENSEMBLES
Cantare - Beginning Concert Choir
Bella Voz - Intermediate Treble Choir
Konzert Chorale - Advanced Concert Choir
Academy Singers - Advanced Mixed Chamber Choir
Laudate - Elective Tenor/Bass Choir
ELECTIVE ENSEMBLES
Contemporary Voices - Vocal Jazz
On Stage - Musical Theatre & Opera Performance Troupe
LVA PRODUCTIONS
-
LVA Vocal Studios, Studio F - In-classroom recording studio - industry standard equipment
-
Songwriters Club - Organization of young songwriters at LVA
Program Curriculum
Our Vocal Majors perform every genre of music from classical to jazz - musical theatre to popular styles and more. Students learn how to navigate singing any type of music, along with stage presence, dance, music theory, the history of music, music technology and more. Along with our two major instructors, two full-time assistants/choreographers, and technical director, we welcome a host of talented para-professionals to work with the students one-on-one and in small group settings. Vocal majors perform one classical solo specifically selected for them at the end of each semester. Our students participate in Solo and Ensemble Festivals, with many of them as Command Performance finalists and winners throughout the years. They also sing in national and international competitions, placing along with the best singers of their age around the country.
Vocal majors have the opportunity to audition for our On Stage and Contemporary Voices programs, allowing students to develop their stage presence and dive into various genres of popular music. Our students also get hands-on experience with recording studio sessions and filming music videos to be featured on our school's YouTube channel.
Program Outcome
Graduates of the Las Vegas Academy of the Arts Vocal Department go on to study at the most sought-after university and conservatory programs nationally and internationally. College professors seek our students every year at many different recruiting events, held through our Student Success Center, including a specific Vocal College Day. Dozens of professors visit from all over the country to hold masterclasses with our students. The day ends with an opportunity for students to speak with the professors one-on-one in callbacks. Students have received hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarship opportunities, to continue their musical education and further their careers in the arts.
In the Vocal Department, we believe in student leadership and foster a culture of involvement and service. Over half of our 260 vocal students participate in some form of leadership. This allows for everyone to feel connected and invested in more than just daily class. We believe these opportunities are formative and give students ownership of their choir experience. Many of our students have found other passions that have led to fruitful careers in the future.
Program Accolades
As the voice of LVA, The Vocal Department has performed all around the community, including for Star Wars in concert, Andre Rieu, with the stars of the Broadway show Memphis, Producer Kenny Ortega, for President Obama, Foreigner, The Eagles, and with Hugh Jackman on his world tour in summer of 2019.
Our talented ensembles have had annual invitations to perform at prestigious festivals and universities. Our students have sung in the most beautiful concert halls and cathedrals in New York City, Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Chicago, San Diego, Zaragosa and Barcelona, Spain – and most recently Vienna and Salzburg, Austria in spring of 2019.
Our Academy Vocal students are also chorus members of the premier local opera company, Las Vegas Opera, sharing the stage with stars from the Metropolitan Opera and beyond.
For many of our students, their singing careers begin with our community performance engagements throughout the Las Vegas Valley. Our ensembles are in high demand for a wide variety of events - from holiday caroling, to patriotic event openings, to memorials, to celebrations. Students are able to fundraise for their travel expenses by sharing their amazing talents with our partners in the greater Las Vegas area. Our students learn how to work professionally in the music industry, manage their time, communicate effectively, and perform at a level beyond their years.
