OUR GOAL IS TO GIVE YOU A PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

SEND BY MAIL OR EMAIL:

1. Bio/Resume

2. Photo

3. Video/CD/DVD/Emailed Arias
A minimum of three operatic selections, at least one from the standard Italian repertoire, should be included.

4. Optional. Instead of sending a recording you can request a live audition. Send an e-mail to ProAdv2010@aol.com to request a time for a given city (Audition cities and dates TBA)

SEND ALL MATERIALS TO:

Vernon Hartman/Amy Johnson THE PROFESSIONAL ADVANTAGE; 80 Damon Road, Unit 8106, Northampton, MA 01060

OR

ProAdv2010@aol.com

DEADLINE FOR MATERIALS: February 1st, 2010

No materials will be returned unless we are provided with a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

THERE IS NO APPLICATION FORM OR FEE.

The 2010 repertoire (Donizetti's L'elisir d'amore and twenty scenes and ensembles from the standard Italian repertoire) was chosen based on the talents of the participants. Upon acceptance, each participant is assigned roles and/or scenes. We must receive word of your acceptance or otherwise within ten days of notification. A non-refundable deposit of Euro 800 is then due at that time in order to secure your place in the program. Please see below:

Tuition for the four week program, including all language and musical instruction, is Euro 2,500. A nonrefundable deposit of Euro 800 must be paid to The Professional Advantage within ten days of acceptance into the program. The balance of the program fee is due the in advance of the first day of the program, July 5, payable by cash (Euros), bank draft or wire transfer. In addition, participants will pay for their accommodations and travel. Choice of accommodations include private apartment with bath and kitchen, shared accommodations, and bed-and-breakfast. For those wanting a more intimate experience with the culture, there may be the option of half and full pension with local families. Travel costs to and from Mercatello sul Metauro are also the responsibility of the participant.

You may send your deposit and balance of tuition by wire transfer directly to the program account. You can send the wires either in US Dollars or Euros. If your bank is able to do it, the simplest way is to wire the funds in euros initially, as in that case the bank can calculate the currernt exchange rate at the time of transfer. Otherwise it is your responsibility to calculate the exchange rate yourself.

Here is the information you need to take to your bank:

EURO TRANSFERS WIRE INSTRUCTIONS:

BANCA MONTE DEI PASCHI DI SIENA SPA, MILANO
SWIFT: PASCITMM
In favor of : Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena SpA – New York
SWIFT: PASCUS33
For further credit to: A/C NUMBER 34568861
BENEFICIARIO:THE PROFESSIONAL ADVANTAGE

U.S. DOLLAR WIRE INSTRUCTIONS:

In favor of: Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena SpA – New York Branch
SWIFT CODE: PASCUS33
Routing Number: 026005908
For further credit: THE PROFESSIONAL ADVANTAGE
Account Number: 34568011

From our experience, the dollar tends to weaken against the Euro as summer approaches. Therefore it is our suggestion that you consider paying your entire tuition earlier rather than later. In any event, you should plan to pay the balance of your tuition BEFORE departing for Europe , unless you plan to pay in cash (euros).

If you wish, you may send us a check directly in US dollars, made out to The Professional Advantage, though this is not advised, as we will credit your payment based on the euro value of the dollar on the day we deposit the check, rather than when you send it. Once your deposit is received, you will be sent a confirmation of registration. Please note that though fees will not be reimbursed to students who either cancel or withdraw early, you will be allowed to attend on another occasion, or you may transfer this right to a third party of your choosing.

Specific information regarding housing costs will be posted shortly. Our housing coordinator, Benita Ryan, is busy compiling detailed options. It appears that housing costs will run anywhere from 270 to 600 euros for the entire month, depending on type of accommodation. You will be responsible for paying this in cash once you are in Italy. You need not worry about getting Euros before leaving - the ATM machine is as common in Europe as it is in the US, and there are two banks in Mercatello.