Orpheus Schoolhouse is Open!
At Orpheus, we believe that quality arts education should be available to all. The Orpheus Schoolhouse is specifically designed to provide advanced arts training by accredited and experienced instructors at the lowest cost. Our flexible rates include discounts for Orpheus Members, Pay What You Want options, and bursaries to ensure that every child has access to positive arts education.
Fall 2024 programming continues to be posted below. To get notified about all the classes and registration, sign up for our Learning and Development Emails below.
Is there a class you would like to see us hold for your young ones? Let us know at By Filling Out This Survey.
We're always happy to cater to your needs.
Want a class for yourself? Orpheus also offers recreational programming for adults. Let us know if there's a class you would like to take at Orpheus.
*Orpheus Schoolhouse courses are intentionally the lowest priced in town to ensure affordability and accessibility for all. PAY WHAT YOU WANT options are intended for those who require the accommodation. If you can afford the full price, we ask that you be honest and leave the PWYW options for those in need. If the PWYW options are still out of reach for you, we have bursaries available. Please contact J.T. Morris at jt@orpheusmusicaltheatre.ca or by phone at 613-729-4318 for more information on bursaries.
Current Classes
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Musical Theatre Vocal Performance
with Stacey Ingrey & Wendy Berkelaar
Sundays, February 16 - June 15
(No classes March 9th, April 20th, May 18th, May 25)
Ages 8 - 13 years: 10:00am - 11:00am
Ages 14 - 18 years: 11:00am - 12:00pm
Cost:
Regular: $180.00
Orpheus Members: $160.00
*PAY WHAT YOU WANT 1: $100.00*
*PAY WHAT YOU WANT 2: $50.00*
About the Course
This unique course offers participants a one on one style voice class in a group setting. Over the span of 14 weeks, students will learn how the voice works, why vocal hygiene is important, about the various registers, how to navigate vocal changes, and healthy warm up techniques. By learning a minimum of one piece, with sheet music, to use for future performances and/or auditions, students will also develop the valuable skill of how to work with an accompanist. Additional focus will be placed on how to prepare for auditions.
Each student will perform their piece in front of the class, take direction, and work to edit their performance. Students are encouraged to come with some idea of a piece they would like to work on, but will absolutely be supported if they do not. To maximize individual attention for each student, this class has a limited capacity of 8 students.
This course is a great opportunity for students looking to develop key skills of vocal performance at an early age, led by two of Ottawa's finest practitioners.
About the Instructor
Stacey Ingrey has been teaching voice from her Kanata studio for over twenty years. She has performed extensively in classical, pop, and musical theatre. Former and current students have gone on to perform internationally in film, musical theatre, pop and country, and classical singing. She is a registered voice and theory teacher with the Ontario Registered Music Teacher's Association (ORMTA), the Canadian Federation of Music Teachers' Association (CFMTA) and the Musical Theatre Educators' Alliance (MTEA). Stacey is an Advanced Voice Specialist and Theory Specialist, and has her Associate Diploma (ARCT) with the Royal Conservatory of Music. Stacey currently teaches voice for the Musical Theatre Diploma program at Saint Lawrence College, Brockville Campus. Stacey believes all singers can learn to sing in a healthy way without compromising their story.
About the Pianist
With 20+ years of musical theatre experience under her belt, Wendy Berkelaar is a well-respected music director and pianist in the Ottawa region. She has worked with many musical theatre companies in the city, including Orpheus Musical Theatre, ASNY Productions, indie women productions, TotoToo Theatre, and Three Sisters Theatre Company. She is a local keyboard sub for Broadway Across Canada, and has performed with several touring companies at the National Arts Centre including “Wicked”, “The Book of Mormon” and “Les Misérables”. Internationally, she spent a year with Spotlight Theatre and Mixed Company Theatre in Australia, and toured Germany and Switzerland as Associate Music Director of a production of “Grease - Das Musical’. She is the co-founder of Zucchini Productions, which produces the very successful Ottawa franchise of the “Confidential Musical Theatre Project”.
When not working in theatre, Wendy teaches piano privately, and is the choral accompanist for OrKidstra, a Sistema-based organization that empowers children through music. Wendy holds a masters degree is 18th century performance practice.
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Directing for Musicals: Tools to Get You from Page to Stage
with Damon Bradley Jang
TWO DAY WORKSHOP
Sunday, February 16: 1:00pm - 5:00pm
Monday, February 17: 1:00pm - 5:00pm
Open for All Ages and Levels of Experience
Cost:
General: $50.00
Orpheus Members: $40.00
Member Discount automatically applies after selecting General fee
*PAY WHAT YOU WANT 1: $100.00*
*PAY WHAT YOU WANT 2: $50.00*
About the Course
This two day course explores the art of crafting and executing a director’s vision for a musical. Participants will learn essential techniques, including conducting research, collaborating with creative teams, and effectively communicating their vision to cast and crew. Topics include pre-rehearsal planning, creating cohesive production timelines, fostering teamwork, and addressing challenges like limited resources or inexperienced team members. The course also emphasizes practical tools for blocking, working with actors, and managing relationships with stage managers and production teams.
Day One will focus on theory and learning, diving deep into the fundamental skills that every director of musicals needs. Participants will explore the concept of a director’s vision, how to develop it, and how to adapt it for different types of musicals. Through guided discussions, participants will analyze case studies of successful productions, examine strategies for conducting research, and learn how to communicate their vision effectively to creative teams. Topics such as building collaboration, fostering creativity, and balancing artistic and logistical priorities will also be covered.
Day Two will give participants the opportunity to apply these skills by sharing concepts for their dream shows. Additionally, participants will explore how to implement these techniques with their own strategies, tailoring them to fit their unique creative approach.
About the Instructor
Damon Bradley Jang is a multi-disciplinary performing artist originally from Vancouver, B.C. who now resides in Toronto.
He is an alumnus of the Birmingham Conservatory at The Stratford Festival and was a company member there for two seasons. Predominantly trained as a performer, highlights of Damon's performing includes West Side Story, Singing In The Rain (TUTS) Thoroughly Modern Millie (Gateway) A Midsummer Night's Dream, Honk! (EXIT 22) CATS (FCP) Mamma Mia! (FVS) Hello Dolly! (RCMT). The Rocky Horror Show (WAT) and Bah Humbug (Vancouver Moving Theatre) and many other venues. Recently he has moved into directing / choreography with credits that include: Once On This Island (Fabulist, 3 Broadway World Vancouver Awards) and Cinderella , Broadway Edition (Byrne Creek, Mainland BC Premiere, ) Into The Woods (NSLOS, BWW Vancouver Winner Best Musical) Who Drinks Mocktails On The Beach?! (Canadian Fringe Tour) and the World Premiere of DIM SUM DIARIES : Second Helping. He has also assisted or associate directed/choreographed with Tarragon Theatre, Drayton Entertainment (The Sound Of Music), The Stratford Festival (Casey and Diana, Alls Well That Ends Well), Arts Club Theatre Company (Beneath Springhill) , and others. He is the Co-Artistic / Marketing and Education Director of Fabulist Theatre. Highlights of his career include assisting TONY AWARD WINNER Christopher Gatelli during Season 1 of Schmigadoon! and TONY AWARD WINNER Lonnyu Price on a New York Workshop of BEACHES The Musical.
Damon enjoys educating young performers and has taught/adjudicated all over Canada, including the Regional and National STAR FESTIVAL, which recognizes Canadian high school theatre. He holds a Bachelor of Performing Arts and Musical Theatre diploma from Capilano University in North Vancouver and is a member of ACTRA Toronto and Canadian Actors Equity Association. UPCOMING: SEW: a Comedy with Music and Dance in Toronto
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