Vocal Pedagogy
Orchestra Roster
Orchestra Personnel
Master Classes & Special Guests
One day at AIMS
Meistersinger Competition & Lieder Studio Awards
Planned Repertoire
Sample Orchestra Contract
Voice Audition Guide
Voice Audition Dates
Piano Audition Guide
Vocal Pedagogy Application Guide
Orchestra Audition Guide
Orchestra Audition Dates
Orchestra Required Repertoire
Register for Live Audition
Submit Video Audition
About Graz
Travel Information – Singers & Pianists
Travel Information – Orchestra
Why AIMS?
Words from Alumni
Laurie Middaugh
Repetitor
Laurie Middaugh, received both the Bachelor's and Master's degrees in piano performance from the University of Montevallo studying piano with Ms. Joan Cowan and Dr. Anthony Pattin, and the Doctorate of Musical Arts at the University of Alabama studying piano with Mrs. Amanda Penick. Dr. Middaugh's interest in collaborative piano began as a freshman at the University of Montevallo when she began playing for lessons and recitals for fellow students as part of her scholarship. In addition to her education in piano performance Dr. Middaugh has also received coaching in collaborative piano in master classes with Dalton Baldwin, John Steele Ritter, and Dennis Helmrich. She was a student at the American Institute of Music Study (AIMS) in Graz, Austria, where she coached lieder with Betty Bullock and Nico de Villiers, and piano with Charlene Harb, and participated in the Music Directors Intensive at Goodspeed Opera House.
Dr. Middaugh has served as staff accompanist at the University of Montevallo for the past fifteen years collaborating with student, faculty, guest artist recitals, operas, revues, and musical theater productions. She also serves as Music Director for the Division of Theater, and teaches classes in ear training, theory, and keyboard for both the music and theater departments. She has collaborated with area professionals, worked with Opera Birmingham, regional Metropolitan Opera National Council auditions, the Alabama Symphony, and Alabama Ballet. Dr. Middaugh is also organist and choir director at the Anglican Church of the Holy Comforter in Montevallo.
The AIMS experience is necessary for any opera singer that doesn't want to just 'fall into' the European music scene. With dedication and diligence, one can come away with a wealth of knowledge and preparation.
Marsha Thompson
soprano '00; Meistersinger Competition Finalist
I learned SO much and had a fabulous time with all my new friends, colleagues, and contacts. I am very thankful for all of the opportunities to sing that I was given.
Aidan Soder
mezzo-soprano '99, Meistersinger Competition Finalist
AIMS was a wonderful experience of learning, performing, and seeing a dedicated staff in action. I am personally better from being blessed to have had this opportunity. Many thoughts continue to filter down from this unique and outstanding musical studies program.
Nancy Marriott
soprano '98 & '16 - Opera Studio
The music, the people I met, and the atmosphere were so incredible! My experience with AIMS is something that I will cherish for the rest of my life.
Jennifer Metheny
soprano '97
Everyone I had ever known who had gone to AIMS in the past couldn't stop raving about it, and now I know why. It was my best summer ever!
trombone '00-'01
During the six-week program at AIMS, I received voice lessons and coachings. I also took my first German class and became attracted to the German language. My affinity for German caused me to take a particular interest in its poetic-song companion, the Lied. It is an aspect within standard solo vocal literature that I admire. Mr. Harold Heiberg, my vocal coach at AIMS, who specialized in Lieder, taught me how to appreciate and utilize the language in song performance. This was my first in-depth experience with song interpretation that illuminated musical collaborations not only between the poet and composer, but also between the singer and pianist. It was an exciting time as a developing musician.
Makeda Hampton
soprano '05 & '06 - Opera Studio
The knowledge and guidance I received from the faculty has changed my perception of my own singing and artistry for the better. I feel as if I can walk out onto a stage, into an audition, and into the world with this new-found confidence. I'm more passionate about my dreams and have a burning desire to see them through.
Robert Cardwell
baritone '17 - Opera Studio
I had the chance to work with so many good and serious singers as well as top-notch teachers…that alone was worth it, but I carried away so much from the program that the cost was minuscule compared to what I learned. Contrary to being burnt out by six weeks of intensive music studying, at the end of AIMS I was more eager than ever to go to my university's music library and check out as many books on Lieder and opera as I could carry. I realized the true quality of the AIMS music instructors when the first book I checked out happened to be edited by not one, but five AIMS instructors.
Jeremy Peterman
student pianist '03, '04; staff pianist '05- '16
AIMS has given me a true sense of where I need to work from – how I measure up and areas I need to strengthen for a future in classical singing. I learned more about my voice and how to maximize its use in one week at AIMS than I had in three years.
Eldric Bashful
tenor '03, '04, '06
I want to thank all of you for being a vital part of my growth into an emerging professional artist. Being a part of AIMS last summer opened my eyes to the professional world of music and helped me understand who I am as an artist and what I needed to accomplish to transition from a student to a professional musician. Thank you SO much for inspiring me to work hard in the practice room; to connect my entire body when I perform; to walk into auditions not expecting anything but to have fun sharing my craft; and to go after career opportunities knowing that they will not come to me. I appreciate it more than words can express!
Kayla Bailey
soprano '13 - Opera Studio
Acting and audition classes at AIMS had a direct and immediate impact on my career. I completed my first professional audition right after AIMS for the Salzburg Festival young artist program, and got offered a contract on the spot! I don't think I could have achieved that result before my summer at AIMS. I would encourage any young, ambitious classical or opera singer to participate in AIMS. It certainly changed my life.
Alexandra Flood
soprano '13 - Meistersinger Finalist
I am proud to say that I am passing on some of what I learned at AIMS to my students, who consistently win state and regional vocal competitions, secure leads in the opera at UM, and go on to graduate schools and conservatories in the US. Thanks for your inspiration!
Jo Ella Todd
soprano '75, '76
American Institute of Musical Studies
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