MISSION
Compagnia degli Eloquenti seeks to share practical knowledge and resources for Italian diction and interpretation
and to create a community of professional singers and teachers who honor the nuances of the Italian language.
Compagnia degli Eloquenti seeks to share practical knowledge and resources for Italian diction and interpretation
and to create a community of professional singers and teachers who honor the nuances of the Italian language.
PURPOSE
The focus of sessions is on diction, with the end goal of expression; this encompasses accurate pronunciation, easy articulation, correct inflection, intentional phrasing, and fusion with meaning.
To paraphrase Merriam-Webster, we aim to be correct, clear, and effective.
The focus of sessions is on diction, with the end goal of expression; this encompasses accurate pronunciation, easy articulation, correct inflection, intentional phrasing, and fusion with meaning.
To paraphrase Merriam-Webster, we aim to be correct, clear, and effective.
ORIGIN
The name Compagnia degli Eloquenti is based on those that commedia dell'arte troupes had for themselves, and the meaning is
Compagnia: company, companionship, fellowship, society, group of people, gathering, party, troupe
degli: of the
Eloquenti: eloquent ones
(from words meaning "to speak out"; fluently persuasive and articulate, effective in expressing meaning by speech -- and in our case, also singing)
GOALS
My aim is to foster an environment for learning and growth that is supportive and which brings people from different places together to work toward a common goal -- as commedia troupes did.
...and Arlecchino's agility, astuteness, resourcefulness, and wit serve as the spirit of our sessions
(reflected in the colors of the coat-of-arms logo for the group, for those keeping track!).
The name Compagnia degli Eloquenti is based on those that commedia dell'arte troupes had for themselves, and the meaning is
Compagnia: company, companionship, fellowship, society, group of people, gathering, party, troupe
degli: of the
Eloquenti: eloquent ones
(from words meaning "to speak out"; fluently persuasive and articulate, effective in expressing meaning by speech -- and in our case, also singing)
GOALS
My aim is to foster an environment for learning and growth that is supportive and which brings people from different places together to work toward a common goal -- as commedia troupes did.
...and Arlecchino's agility, astuteness, resourcefulness, and wit serve as the spirit of our sessions
(reflected in the colors of the coat-of-arms logo for the group, for those keeping track!).
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JOIN ME ONLINE for spoken and sung work:
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GROUP DICTION COACHING and CLASSES
Focus on a specific topic or repertoire (vowels; open and closed es and os; rolled rs; teacher training; Susanna arias; Rossini mezzo arias; bass/baritone roles in Don Giovanni; Tosti and Donaudy songs...) although occasionally we will have Minestrone! = a mix of all things These coachings will be live while I continue to build the content for prerecorded courses. |
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ITALIAN DICTION INTENSIVE
A guest residency available for studios or programs with professional and pre-professional singers. Learn or revisit Italian diction in a way that will stay with you and will be functional, useful, and entertaining. ...and you will leave knowing what to do with unstressed and stressed Es and Os! This modular program features a combination of:
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TESTIMONIALS
"Dr. Stacey Mastrian is the Italian diction teacher I wish I’d had in college. She brings the language to life! It’s not just a bunch of boring rules. My students and I have learned so much! I highly recommend Dr. Mastrian’s classes and coaching."
— Cynthia Vaughn, Magnolia Music Studio,
Co-author with M. Dayme, The Singing Book, WWNorton
“During my undergraduate studies at Peabody Conservatory, I highly admired Dr. Mastrian’s professional and passionate approach in her Italian for Singers course. I clearly remember her notable organization skills, as well as the care and devotion she applied to her brilliant lesson plans and high quality coaching each week.
As a result of her abundant knowledge on the topics of Italian vocal literature, Italian IPA, and history, to name only a few, I can say with confidence that her class prepared me thoroughly for the rest of academia/beyond. I felt ready to take on demanding Italian Opera and song literature throughout the rest of my studies at Peabody, which strongly extended through to my eventual graduate studies at Juilliard.”
— Alexandra R., soprano
As a result of her abundant knowledge on the topics of Italian vocal literature, Italian IPA, and history, to name only a few, I can say with confidence that her class prepared me thoroughly for the rest of academia/beyond. I felt ready to take on demanding Italian Opera and song literature throughout the rest of my studies at Peabody, which strongly extended through to my eventual graduate studies at Juilliard.”
— Alexandra R., soprano
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"Since taking Dr. Mastrian's classes, singing in Italian is second nature to me. I feel very comfortable speaking and singing in the language.” — Kerri Lynn Slominski, soprano Philadelphia, PA |
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“I appreciated your organization and approach to the class [and] have used a similar model in my own teaching. ...Your class was particularly useful to me as a performer, since I very rarely need to look up IPA for Italian and have been praised for my excellent Italian!" — Laura Reaper, mezzosoprano New York, NY |
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"My knowledge of open and closed vowels, with which I deem incredibly important, have helped me mold future singers, and helped them in auditions. As a performer the skills I gained have helped me exponentially. I go to Italy almost every summer and I’m constantly complemented on my lack of American accent and pronunciation of the Italian language, all of which I credit to Stacey Mastrian.”
— Ben Shaver, baritone
Baltimore, MD
"...a skilled teacher…the fact that she is a native English speaker who immersed herself in Italian language and culture gave those of us who are also native English speakers a sense of what it would take if we wanted to achieve reasonable fluency & excellent diction in Italian or any language."
— Ellen R.
Washington, D.C.
— Ellen R.
Washington, D.C.
"I just saw C.P. for a voice lesson, and I wanted to let you know that her Italian diction is superb! I had to stop and ask her, 'Do I have Stacey Mastrian to thank for your lovely Italian?' and she proudly said yes. I almost never hear beautiful Italian like that in a first lesson, no matter how well-trained and experienced someone is."
— Claudia F.
New York, NY
— Claudia F.
New York, NY
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"…a clearer better understanding of how to sing in the language—not just speak! ...a fantastic teacher—especially for students who came in with a solid language background—we still learned so much and had fun! Best diction class I have EVER had!” — Anais Naharro-Murphy, soprano Philadelphia, PA |
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"As a Zoom guest artist..., Dr. Mastrian combined artistry, expression, technical efficiency, and practical use of IPA in her Italian diction coaching....Making it less about the "rules," Dr. Mastrian brought personality, technical prowess, and a clear yet thorough knowledge of Italian diction to the table and cared deeply about each student's understanding and application of the material."
— M. M.
"...I feel better at Italian diction."
"...I am a better singer due to this class."
"...I am able to interpret my songs better."
"...very clear...easy to understand in a rather difficult subject."
"...very thorough."
"She utilized a variety of ways to help us learn."
"...teaching style [was particularly effective]."
"I love Doctor Mastrian. She is truly a great teacher!"
"...absolutely incredible. Don't miss [the] chance to work with her!"
— Students at Peabody Conservatory
"...I am a better singer due to this class."
"...I am able to interpret my songs better."
"...very clear...easy to understand in a rather difficult subject."
"...very thorough."
"She utilized a variety of ways to help us learn."
"...teaching style [was particularly effective]."
"I love Doctor Mastrian. She is truly a great teacher!"
"...absolutely incredible. Don't miss [the] chance to work with her!"
— Students at Peabody Conservatory
Dr. Mastrian also offers German and French diction coaching, English diction and grammar instruction for Italians and other non-native speakers, as well as English-language speech and interview coaching for all.