Musical Theatre Department
Approximately 25 students
The Musical Theatre Department aims to prepare students for further (university level) studies in musical theatre or related stage arts. Department faculty include experienced teachers who still work in the profession with credits including Icelandic productions and international musical theatre.
The Ministry of Education, Science and Culture issues a curriculum to be followed for music education in all Icelandic state- and community funded music schools. Sigurður Demetz Academy of Singing follows the curriculum in all subjects but also adds certain elements of stage and language training to it, as well as movement. These additions include acting classes and various training sessions, including choreography, implemented mainly through -and in connection with- rehearsals for the spring production. Each year, the work culminates in a fully-staged musical theatre production, working with top lighting and sound designers in the business in a professional theatre. Students have gone on to study in many of the most respected drama/musical theatre schools abroad and in Iceland, including LIPA and Arts Educational as well as the Iceland University of the Arts.
Weekly tuition
Weekly tuition includes:
Beginners: 40 minutes private voice lessons
Advanced: 60 minutes private voice lessons (yearly 38 weeks of teaching)
2-hour group sessions / performance class weekly September-December,
2 x 2-hour group sessions (minimum) working on a full musical theatre production
20-45 minutes of accompaniment
Advanced levels
Advanced levels include:
The Academy offers 6 to 8 masterclasses over the whole school year – 2,5 hour each with some extinguished guest professors. Recent guests include Neil Semer, Roberta Cunningham, Ólafur Kjartan Sigurðarson, Lothar Odinius, Michael J. Moritz, Elmar Gilbertsson, Sveinn Hjörleifsson, Gary Jankowski and Kristinn Sigmundsson.
Musical theatre production
4 hours weekly from January to April the students put on a full-scale show, with help from technicians from the Icelandic Opera and The National Theatre, either with professional playback or a live orchestra. Students get to work with Icelandic professionals and start forming industry connections, they audition for parts and get experience in all aspects of producing and marketing a show.