July 13, 2005
School teaches singing skills
Singwell Academy run by two professional opera singers, Interlochen Arts instructors
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
In the magic circle, students can find their voice.
Marked in blue tape on the floor, the magic circle is a safe learning and performing environment for students in the Singwell Academy. The academy, a singing school run by two professional opera singers and Interlochen Arts Academy instructors, offers classes throughout the summer for students in kindergarten through high school.
"Inside the circle you can't make any mistakes, it's a place for explanation and exploration," said Nicole Philibosian, who founded the academy five years ago with her husband, Ron Gentry.
The intense, small-group classes provide one hour of instruction per day for two weeks. A concert on the Friday of the second week has students singing solos they worked on each day during class. The instructors choose each child's solo piece for them, based on their vocal range, experience and personality. The students also sing a group number together.
Over the years, Singwell Academy teachers noted that the classes imbue students with much more than vocal techniques.
"It's really more about confidence that it is about singing," said Philibosian of these concerts. "It's definitely about vocal technique but they grow so much in confidence."
The high-octane training pleases Aaron Trippe, a tenth-grade student at Central High School this fall. In the midst of his first Singwell session this week, Trippe feels better prepared for Central's Concert Choir and the Men of Note ensemble.
"I like it that you do solo work and get to hear yourself, that's unusual," said Trippe, who sang for four years with the Northwestern Michigan Children's Choir.
Ashley Nink draws a direct line between her Singwell Academy classes a few years ago and getting into Traverse City West's prestigious Chorale as a sophomore. Also a member of the Northwestern Michigan Children's Choir for seven years, Nink is completing her seventh session with Singwell. If her schedule allows, she may add another one later in the summer.
"It's a huge opportunity because we get to work with two opera singers," Nink said. "The two teach totally differently and it gives you a different perspective: Mrs. Philibosian is just, 'Sing out as you can,' and Mr. Gentry is into the details."
The husband and wife team founded the academy in 2000, prompted by parents requesting private voice lessons for their elementary or junior high age children. Despite the demand, Gentry and Philibosian do not work one-on-one with students younger than high school age because these voices are not mature enough.
They conceived of the Singwell Academy as a relaxed but rigorous group setting that would allow aspiring singers of all ages to work at their level.
After running the academy for three years, the pair took a two-year break before reviving it this summer, expanding it to five two-week sessions. Each session can be divided into up to four different age groups, depending on enrollment: lower elementary, upper elementary, junior high and high school. The faculty now includes their daughter, Elizabeth, a junior voice major at the University of Michigan.
Devoted to nurturing vocal excellence, Singwell Academy instructors relish the students' accomplishments during the ten hours of class time.
"It's just been amazingly gratifying work to watch these kids bloom," Philibosian said. "I'm a performer, I came to Interlochen to teach and I've had a big career throughout, but I tell you there's something these kids give you that you can't get from standing on the stage and singing on your own."
"You're affecting the next generation and impacting lives," she added.
This summer, 22 current and former students in the Singwell Academy also gave the group's first public performance, singing the National Anthem for attendees at an AFLAC conference held at the Grand Traverse Resort. Monday afternoon's performance was warmly received and opens new possibilities to the school.
"They called Interlochen, too, so I'm feeling a little proud - I have a feeling that Interlochen didn't get back to them soon enough," Philibosian noted.
For more information on the Singwell Academy and remaining summer sessions, contact Philibosian or Gentry at 932-0681.