Charm City Opera Retreat is a professional development program hosted in Baltimore, MD for regional classical singers who want to reignite their career.
This two-week experience provides participants with comprehensive coaching on their audition repertoire, a ready-to-go audition portfolio, and a professional network. Your resume also gets special a boost with a performance credit at one of Baltimore's historic music venues.
CCOR is a safe space for singers to take up space, experiment, and find the fullness of their voices. CCOR faculty is personally selected by the organizers of the program. They are dedicated to nurturing your authentic artistry as you prepare for whatever is next in your career.
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PROGRAM DATES
July 22 to August 5, 2026
Early bird application deadline is May 15!
Applications close June 1.
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APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible, applicants must consider the following:
- BE A SINGER over the age of 18 who is in the process of growing your career and does not have representation, sponsorship or mainstage contracts with major companies. There no upper age limits. We expect the majority of participants will be 22+.
- RESIDE IN GREATER MARYLAND REGION (MD, DC, PA, VA, WV, DE) or have reliable transportation to/from Baltimore during the program dates.
- BE WILLING TO DEDICATE TIME during the entire program to participate in 95% of CCOR activities.
- HAVE MEMORIZED REPERTOIRE (arias, MT, oratorio) that you need to record for auditions and your digital portfolio. Music theatre singers are welcome but the program offerings are focused on needs of classical singers.
- THERE ARE NO DEGREE REQUIREMENTS. We expect most applicants to have had formal voice training in technique, diction and repertoire and an interest in advancing their knowledge/skill to a professional level.
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PROGRAM COMPONENTS
- 1 professional audio-video recording session, including min 2 videos ($500 value)
- 1 public performance
- 1 masterclass performance ($75 value)
- 2 Alexander technique workshops ($160 value)
- 2 collaborative workshops to create or refine your resume and website ($100 value)
- 3 one-on-one diction coachings (ltalian Melofonetica Method; French; German; English; others if requested in advance) ($240 value)
- 4 one-on-one piano coachings (same assigned pianist for concert and recordings) ($240 value)
- 4 peer-led repertoire class performances ($200 value)
- 4 physical training group sessions with Erin Eberle, DPT ($240 value)
- 5 group workshops on nervous system regulation, business coaching, and more ($250 value)
- Live participation and access to recordings of all group workshops
Optional/Add-on activities include the following:
- 60-minute private bodywork/massage with Erin Eberle, DPT ($80)
- 45-minute vocal health screening with Mairin Srygley, CCC-SLP (No additional cost)
- 30-minute community acupuncture at Mend Acupuncture ($30)
- 20-minute professional photography session including two edited photos ($175)
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FEES & PAYMENT
The actual cost of the program is valued at over $2000 per person if pursued privately or through other young artist programs. Our priority is making these essential career services accessible to regional artists, so we have worked to keep costs as low as possible through sponsorships, community partnerships, donations, and volunteer administrative work.
Early bird rate (apply by May 15): $995*
Regular rate (apply by June 1): $1195*
Returning Participants Rate: $895
*Plus any additional services
A deposit of $250 will be due within 10 days of acceptance to the program. The remainder will be due by July 5. Payments are an option that can be requested at the end of this form.
Payments can be made via check, Zelle, or card. Card payments will incur a processing fee of 2.9%.
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Please contact us with any questions! We can't wait to meet you!
Organizing Committee
443-961-5511
ccor@charmcityoperaretreat.com
Mairin Srygley
Nicole Stover
Rachel Tanenblatt
Michael Pistorio
Rebecca Wood