Curtis Institue Of Music

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July 29, 2016Dear [redacted],We are in receipt of your letter referencing complaint #[redacted], which was filed by a recent participant in our Young Artist Voice Program last month. We thank you for the opportunity to respond to this complaint. At Curtis Summerfest, we take great pride in providing...

focused studies in classical voice for young singers who seek a musically enriching experience, and as with any complaint, we are disappointed to hear of this participant’s displeasure. However, this claim comes as a surprise as the complainant did not raise any major concerns directly with me, my staff, or my faculty during the time while she was present for the 14-day program. Additionally, looking back for written correspondences from the complainant, we find no letters or emails before, during, or after the program. As is our practice, we openly welcomed the opportunity to talk directly with the complainant, in an effort to make alterations to her personal schedule.The complainant stated that the program schedule did not offer as many vocal coachings and voice lessons than was expected, and she felt there was too much free time. The overall program schedule has been available and easily accessible on the Curtis Summerfest website since the fall of 2015 for all prospective participants to review. It is clearly stated and demonstrated that in addition to private lessons, master classes and coachings, there will be practice and free time. For any music program at Curtis, we deliberately schedule periods during each day where participants practice newly found and refined techniques On their own. Some of the most productive work for a musician happens individually. With the summer voice program, this is no exception, and in fact is probably more important. Young vocal participants come to Curtis to challenge themselves, push their boundaries relative to musical expression, and try new vocal techniques. All of this work can take a significant toll On a young voice and therefore, providing frequent time slots for rest and opportunities to study without stressing the vocal anatomy and free time is essential. Faculty regularly expounded upon the tasks and reflections to be completed during individual practice time between lessons and master classes. Ample private practice rooms and studios with pianos were readily available to all participants throughout the program, for this individual work.Regarding the amount of vocal coachings and voice lessons, the Curtis Summerfest website states the following: "Each participant will receive: a private lesson with Ms. M[redacted], a private lesson with Ms. P[redacted], and at least one coaching from each vocal coach (Mikael E[redacted], Danielle O[redacted], Lisa K[redacted]).” As was announced to all participants at the program orientation by Summerfest faculty, for which the complainant was present, Ms. M[redacted] underwent emergency surgery at the time of the program, and therefore was unable to be present for the program. However, she was replaced by two world-renowned vocal pedagogues, Ms. Julia F[redacted] and Mr. William S[redacted]. As promised at Orientation, the complainant received a private voice lesson from Ms. F[redacted] in Ms. M[redacted]” absence, and rendered no complaint at the time.As a commuting voice participant in the program, travel costs which include public transportation, mileage, gas, tolls and parking are the sole responsibility of each participant. However, as a courtesy to Complainant, Curtis Summerfestis happy to provide a full reimbursement for parking. Thisreimbursement will be given once a receipt is received by the Office of Summer Programs at Curtis.The “Acting activity” that the complainant referenced was an optional recreational activity, which was cancelled at the last minute due to staffing issues. Although all schedules indicate that they are subject to change, we recognize the last-minute nature of this particular change and the inconvenience it caused complainant. Therefore, we are also happy to offer a reimbursement for roundtrip mileage from complainant's residence to the Curtis campus. This equals a total of $68.04, which utilizes the current mileage rate of $.54 per mile, as per the General Services Administration website.Thank you again for the opportunity to respond to this complaint. We look forward to a resolution. If there should be any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me below.With kind regards,Lourdes D.Vice President of Artistic Programs and Performance