Vocal Academy

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Launched during PSN 2017, the Vocal Academy offers training and performance opportunities to vocalists ready for chorus & supporting roles.

Vocalists in this program have the opportunity to sing in the chorus for all of PSN’s fully staged Operas.

Other opportunities include the opera scenes program/performance and a Cabaret Night.

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Performance Opportunities

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A prominent role in the opera scenes performance in Tábor

Chorus for the operas

Cabaret Night

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Program Highlights

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Coaching with the PSN voice faculty

Opera chorus preparation for the different operas

Prominent role in the opera scenes program/performance

Understudy opportunities for a role in the operas

Preparation for and performing in the Cabaret Night

All vocalists in the program have coaching sessions with the PSN voice faculty and may have an opportunity to participate in masterclasses offered by visiting guest clinicians. Vocal academists participate in staging rehearsals, performance preparation and may receive diction coaching on an “as needed” basis. This program includes vocal academists attending staging rehearsals and working closely with the PSN faculty to prepare vocally.

Vocal academy students are given the opportunity to perform a prominent role in the opera scenes program/performance, a cherished highlight of the town of Tábor’s summer concert season featuring famous Czech opera scenes. The program includes Czech diction classes while the performance will feature scenes from contemporary Czech opera as well as scenes from standard French, German and Italian opera repertoire.

Academy students also work closely with PSN coaches, conductors and stage directors on character development while preparing for the opera performances.

Vocal academists are also invited to perform “Broadway hits” and music from The Great American Songbook in a Cabaret Night on the stage of a jazz club in Prague. A fun evening with a different performance style and setting, this performance features music from composers such as Bernstein, Gershwin, Sondheim, Berlin, Weill, Porter and others. The Cabaret Night is an optional and private PSN event for all PSN participants to enjoy.

Vocal academists have the opportunity to understudy a role from either operas, with our PSN coaching and directing faculty. As an understudy, you may attend any staging or music rehearsals for the assigned part (but you would not be expected to perform the role on stage).

Lastly, academy students form the chorus for all of PSN’s fully staged operas. The operas are fully staged, beautifully costumed and performed with the PSN Orchestra in the Estates Theatre in Prague, a world-class and historic venue where Mozart himself premiered Don Giovanni and which is the last surviving theatre where Mozart has performed.

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Opera Scenes Program/Performance

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Explore operatic repertoire in Czech, Italian, German and French through a collaborative program culminating in a fully staged public performance at Divadlo Oskara Nedbala in Tábor.

During the festival’s first two weeks, singers develop their musical interpretation, language skills and stagecraft through individual and ensemble coaching and staging rehearsals. Working alongside PSN faculty, assistant conductors, assistant directors and assistant coaches, participants bring each scene from musical preparation to the stage.

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Program Highlights

  • Opera scenes performed in Czech, Italian, German and French
  • Individual and ensemble coaching tailored to assigned scenes
  • Staging led by PSN directing faculty and assistant directors
  • Rehearsals and performance conducted by PSN Assistant Conductors
  • Piano accompaniment and musical preparation with PSN coaching faculty and assistant coaches
  • A fully staged public performance at Tábor’s historic Divadlo Oskara Nedbala

Cabaret Night

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Individual coaching as assigned

Performance in a Jazz Club in Prague

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Perform “Broadway hits” or music from The Great American Songbook in a fun Cabaret evening with a different performance style and setting.

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The Cabaret evening is a private PSN event for all PSN participants to enjoy with music from composers such as Bernstein, Gershwin, Sondheim, Berlin, Weill, Porter and others.

  • Prague Summer Nights is the highest quality complete opera learning experience I have had in any summer program. I had a great time working with the faculty and a lot of fun traveling with everyone!

    Anthony Larson, Opera

  • It was an honor and a privilege to be a part of PSN 2025. Each day I learned something new from a colleague or faculty member. I was in awe of not only the locations we worked in, but of the dedication of the musicians surrounding me. I loved being able to share my joy and love of music with so many incredible musicians and people both on and off stage. I hope to return in the future, and PSN has earned a spot on the top 10 coolest experiences I've had to date!

    Kate Kaczmarek, Violinist

  • PSN 2026 was one of the best summers I've ever had! I learned from wonderful mentors, got so much hands-on creative experience, and made friends that I hope to stay in touch with for a long time.

    Olympia Hatzilambrou, Assistant Stage Director

  • I had such an incredible experience being a part of PSN2025! From the incredible coaching to amazing performance opportunities, I would highly recommend this program to any young singer who might be looking to further their artistry. Not only will you get to work with other talented singers, but also get to work with a faculty that are just amazing human beings, which I must say has been hard for me to find at other programs/festivals.

    Jacob Lann, Opera

  • I cannot say this enough, this has been one of the most rewarding and fun opera experiences I’ve had! Not only because we were lucky enough to perform in the Estates Theater, but more so because of the camaraderie and friendships I have made, that will last a lifetime.

    Jessica Gonzalez-Rodriguez, Opera

  • Prague Summer Nights has forever reshaped me as an operatic performer. The quality of training and supportive environment fostered by the faculty and performers are things I will carry with me far into my career, no matter the repertoire I perform.

    Noelle Duke, Opera

  • Our brass sectional was great yesterday. Ladislav Kozderka, first chair trumpet of the Czech Philharmonic, was super nice and lowkey (not intimidating). Every time he had a critique for a specific person, he would compliment them on something else. He had great advice and was super helpful.

    Kiri Maza, French Horn

  • It truly is a joy to be here in Prague and spending so much time with this group of people. Everyone works so hard, and when all the different parts come together, the music we create is absolutely magical. There is much pleasure in growing and bonding with a very talented group of musicians.

    Andy Kim, Violinist

  • Today I attended the Brass sectionals of Sibelius Symphony No. 2 and Dvorak Symphony No. 9, led by clinician Ladislav Kozderka who holds the position of principal trumpet of the Czech Philharmonic. I offered to be his personal metronome and he humbly laughed, saying "no, no, you must know this piece so much more than me!" He let me conduct the entirety of both symphonies, stopping every section to give feedback. I kept wanting to pinch my cheek because I knew all the words of wisdom was coming from one of the leaders of the orchestra that loves and owns Dvorak more than anywhere else in the world.

    Euan Shields, Assistant Conductor

  • Participating in this incredible program was life changing! I strongly encourage people interested to apply, you won’t regret it. Easily one of the best summers of my life.

    Hayden Clarke, Arts Admin

  • Plzen audition is a great segue for every singers to bridge the gap between the student and professional. The audition itself had a very friendly environment while still keeping the professionalism. I felt very honored to have met the director of Plzen Opera House and personally work with the head coach of the Czech National Opera House. Hopefully in the next two years, I will be able to come back to Plzen to work with this beautiful company.

    Eddie Lim, Opera

  • I have had the most wonderful 4 weeks I could hope for!

    Nico Laruina, Opera

  • I really enjoyed working with Dr. Jelena Nosková in the masterclass. She had wonderful suggestions and I felt my voice blossoming in the short time we worked together. I felt that it was very valuable to get some suggestions from someone I’d never worked with before. I thoroughly appreciate having this opportunity!

    Beth Compton, Opera

  • It was a pleasure for me being part of the festival, I learned a lot in Prague! Thank you for believing in my talent.

    Brenda I., Opera

  • Thank you so much for the opportunity! I learned so much in that month, that I’m just hoping to retain a tiny bit of it! My teacher even noticed that my high notes have improved in tone. The program was absolutely amazing, and the people you brought together for it were even more so.

    Laura M., Opera

  • Thank you again for the incredible opportunity! I had an amazing trip and made so many memories.

    Heather G., Violinist

  • Thank you for giving me the opportunity. It was an amazing experience with countless memories. Thank you again.

    Preet S., Cellist

  • Thank you Prague Summer Nights so much for the incredible opportunity to work with you in Prague, and the amazing opportunities I’ve received!

    Isabelle M., Cellist

  • A better experience could not have taken place for me during the first annual Prague Summer Nights Festival. I will forever take with me the memories and knowledge gained during my time with many wonderful musicians.

    Maya M., Violinist

  • Prague Summer Nights was an incredible experience for me. I made friendships that will last a lifetime and learned so much about myself as a performer. Sometimes when you are engrossed in the whirlwind of hard, dedicated work it is difficult to see your own progress. Just months after the program I already feel a difference and ease of approach to my performing, as well as a greater awareness of not only what I can improve, but HOW I can improve. Having sung an opera where Mozart first conducted it is no small honor either! Thank you for the experience of a lifetime.

    Stephanie K., Opera

  • Such an incredible experience getting a lesson and performing in a masterclass today with Walter Seyfarth, 30-year clarinetist of the Berlin Philharmonic, my favorite orchestra. My time in Prague has been a clarinetist’s dream! Very grateful.

    Eric S., Clarinettist

  • “Thanks for a great summer! The Prague experience was unforgettable. Thanks again.”

    Will R., viola

  • “I just wanted to take the opportunity again to thank you for this wonderful program you have created. I am still in awe of what took place over this last month, from Smetana Hall, to the Dvorak Museum, and finally Don Giovanni at the Estates Theatre! I honestly don’t know how you did it!"

    John H., baritone