You can register now for the Singing Down the Barriers Institute this coming summer! Registration ends on May 1, 2023.

Entering its third year, Singing Down the Barriers continues to focus on performance and conversation to eliminate barriers to the performance of African American concert repertoire, with participants able to benefit from either online interaction or the opportunity to meet in-person on the University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor, Michigan (USA).

In tandem with a directed curriculum of readings, resources, recordings, reflective exercises, and performance, the Institute seeks overall to help participants overcome the barriers that prevent successful engagement with and performance of African American concert repertoire including art song and spirituals.

Singing Down the Barriers Institute is an adult summer intensive of the University of Michigan, School of Music, Theatre, and Dance (U-M SMTD) which launched in the summer of 2021. The Institute is offered in partnership with the Hampsong Foundation via the Classic Song Research Initiative.

Faculty includes University of Michigan faculty Louise Toppin (Director) and Caroline Helton, along with Emery Stephens (St. Olaf College) and Christie Finn (The Hampsong Foundation). Additional program faculty and guest artists are listed here.

Special Guest Thomas Hampson will join the Institute remotely. Register today!