THE HISTORY OF THE "VBA" MASTERCLASS
In 1984, family and friends of Virginia Best Adams established an endowment fund to honor her 80th birthday. Since then, the endowment has helped underwrite the training and mentoring of more than 100 young professional singers from around the world.
Each year, the Festival selects four singers from hundreds of international applications. These emerging artists join the Festival and study with Festival principal artists. The busy schedule includes six working sessions which are open free to the general public, frequent private coachings, and a special Showcase Concert. In the informal working sessions, the audience shares in the excitement as the coaches and young artists explore all aspects of performing Baroque vocal music, including vocal technique, musical style, foreign language skills, and artistic communication.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR
The VBA Masterclass is distinguished by the Festival’s master teachers. Conductor and harpsichordist Michael Beattie is Masterclass Director. Sessions are also led by Festival Artistic Advisor and Director of Choral Activities, Andrew Megill (Director of Choral Organizations at Northwestern University) and by Festival vocal soloists.
About Michael Beattie
In 2019, the Carmel Bach Festival announced the promotion of Michael Beattie to the position of Director of the Virginia Best Adams Masterclass. Beattie succeeds David Gordon, who has led the program since 1990. Beattie previously served as music director for the Masterclass Showcase Concert. He has performed with the Festival for 10 years.
“Michael Beattie was the natural and perfect choice for this role,” said former Festival Executive Director Steve Friedlander. “Already a long-term member of the Festival family, Michael is an exemplary musician, conductor and keyboardist with a particular flair for vocal coaching, and programming. He is a great colleague and collaborator, much appreciated and respected by the artistic leadership team, musicians, and administrative staff.”
