Speech Arts

A Playwriting and Performance Project!

This workshop is filled with mystery and intrigue as only the students will write an entire play not more than 20 mins in duration, creating the plot, characters, scenes and dialogue. Every detail is student generated, from the play structure, scenery, lighting, costumes, and props. At the end of the workshop, the playwrights will get to do a play read of the play for your family and friends. Your play will be performed by OVIMA singers and actors who would have been picked by audition, and directed by our Drama teacher Mr. Bruce Weinberg at a later date in the year. Are your kids capable of such a lofty endeavor? We’ll “Believe it” when we see it! 

A native Floridian, Erica is a classically trained Vocalist, Thespian, Madrigal and professional Ballroom Dancer.
In her college years, she studied acting, music and musical theatre through private instruction while performing with her college choir. They were given the honor of being invited to sing at Carnegie Hall.
Erica is co-founder of The Rhythm Chicks, a harmony trio. The group maintains performances in South Florida and has done so for the past 14 years. The group was requested as guest performers for the celebration of Connie Francis’ 80th Birthday, alongside Deana Martin and Charles Calello.

Spencer Perdeck grew up in Hollywood, Florida and is a graduate of New York University with a Bachelor in Fine Arts. There he studied at Tisch Drama with a concentration in musical theatre and acting for film and television. A multi-disciplined performer, skilled in multiple styles of dance, acting, voice over and improv comedy with additional training at Upright Citizens Brigade in NYC. He’s excited to be joining the team at OVIMA Global. Previously a teaching artist with American Heritage Drama Camp teaching acting in Florida and dance at Daisy and Harry Camp in Arizona. Past productions include Liz Swados’ The Golem, Meet me in St. Louis, Gross Indecency, The Oxford Epidemic, Shrek, A Catered Affair, Suite Surrender, The Sound of Music, Bat Boy, The Phantom of the Opera, The King and I, The Light in the Piazza, Les Miserables, The Music Man, Peter Pan, Oliver, and Elegies, for Angels, Punks, and Raging Queens at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. He made a brief appearance in Amazon’s The Marvelous Maisel. Spencer’s passions include the Theatre, Museums, the environment, baking, entrepreneurship, singing, dancing, yoga, group exercise, Disney, matcha tea, coffee and documentaries.

In this camp, students new to music will learn basic musical concepts through the creative process of writing their own songs. No musical training needed.

CLASS COMPONENTS

– Basic Foundation in Songwriting
– Basic Musical Skills
– Song Analysis
– Basic Song Arrangement
– Text Setting
– Songwriting exercises and Games

TAKEAWAYS
– Be introduced to the different ways of writing songs
– Cultivate a greater musical sensibility
– Explore your self expression
– Find your personal voice in writing
– Collaborate with others

STUDENT REQUIREMENTS
– Songwriting Notebook and Pen
– Knowing how to play an instrument would be an advantage but NOT strictly required
– Setting aside time for weekly projects and listening assignments

In this masterclass, each student will have a chance to work on their vocal technique and performance for the aria they choose to bring. Each student will receive one-on-one coaching for a period of not more than 15 mins.

CLASS COMPONENTS
Improve vocal technique, work on pitches and tune of aria, character analyzation of role, performing and concert staging of aria.

TAKEAWAYS
Build self-confidence for future auditions and performances. Be able to apply these techniques to other arias and full roles in your present and future repertoire.

STUDENT REQUIREMENTS
Students intending to perform at this masterclass MUST provide a video or audio recording of the aria (with accompaniment), along with a score, by JUNE 10, 2021. All music MUST be sung from memory.

Melanie Baljeet Kaur Sidhu was born in 1998 in Offenburg (DE) and grew up in Tübingen (DE). She
gained her first stage experience with band performances and as a member of the youth drama club
of the state theater (Landestheater) Tübingen. There she played in several productions between
2014 and 2018. In the season 2015/2016 she was part of the production Kopf voll Herz Leer! with
which she was invited to festivals in Poland and Baden-Württemberg (DE). In 2017 she founded the
independent theater group TiKTaK with friends in Tübingen, which developed and successfully
performed its own pieces. After graduating from high school in 2018, she began studying drama at
the Anton Bruckner University in Linz (AT). Since the season 2019/20 she is a permanent studio
member of the state theater (Landestheater) Linz.

Coming from a musical family Danielle has been brought up listening to all kinds of music including jazz, classical rock and a lot of gospels. She has been singing since the age of 2 and has been in a few stage productions including Raell Padamsee’s ‘The Sound of Music’. She has also participated in and won various singing competitions through the years. She is currently an advanced student of Deirdre Lobo D’Cunha.

Dnyaneshwari comes from a very artistic family as she has a mother and a grandmother who have learnt, mastered and still teach Indian classical music. She has learnt Indian classical for a few years, before she began learning with Deirdre Lobo D’Cunha. She has been learning with her for a while now too. She has participated and won several different competitions on a college level as well as performed at various shows and places, after. She performed alongside Deirdre ma’am at a tribute concert that took place at The Royal Opera House in December of 2019. She has learnt and performed different genres of music, but she excels in and enjoys performing Contemporary music, like Pop, Soft rock, Jazz and R&B, as well as Bollywood and Marathi light music.”

Brianna Nixon also known as Azule is a new sensation bursting out of South Florida. She was born in Miami but was given the experience of Miami, Jamaica, and Atlanta. She started training at 16 in Nest Of Living Arts (NOLA) with artistic director Nolwen Lalanne. During her training at NOLA, she also had the privilege of training under ballet dancer Christal Yanez and contemporary choreographer Anthony Velazquez. Within her training, she experienced ballet, beginner’s pointe, lyrical, hip-hop. contemporary, modern jazz as main concentrations. She took on the role of creating hip-hop/jazz choreography to children ages 5­-13. At 18, she began with 14 students and ended strong today with 62. As a NOLA dance company member, she has performed at bi­yearly recital at the Miramar Cultural Arts Center since 2011. She has also exercised her time in the community by performing at Tour De Broward Hosted by Joe DiMaggio, “Under My Hoodie: Trayvon Martin Tribute” hosted by NOVA University, Miami International Fashion Week, Femme Fab Awards, Opening of Segafredo in Pembroke Gardens, Jamaica I.C.E. event hosted by Lawrence Rowe, Eggapalooza hosted by Broward County

Mayor, and many more!! Her most proud moment was participated in the Antibullying show “Through The Red Door: NOLA Production” that showcased to selected schools in Broward County. After receiving an unexpected offer to perform and travel with Carnival Cruise Lines, she took a leave from teaching and performing locally in 2016. She traveled overseas from 2016-2017 on the Carnival Sensation which sparked the interest to travel in the arts. In 2018, she returned to the city of Atlanta where she continued to network and created her own dance mini-series with Atlas Digital Productions.

The series “Taking the L…” was written, produced, and perform by Azule inspired by the love story she conspired while working on the sea. In 2019, she has returned home to Miami for a full recovery from a minor accident happening in January. With great healing on her side she is now currently seeking to expand her experience and to continue increasing her knowledge of dance to be able to teach and encourage little boys and girls around the world. Air, Zest, Universal, Love, Energy, better known as Azule. This is SHE

Indian born, Canadian raised violinist Kirit Mascarenhas is no stranger to the stage, having performed across Canada and the United States as a chamber musician and freelance violinist. Most recently, he completed an interprovincial tour with London based chamber group Magisterra Soloists, as a Magisterra Fellow led by artistic director Annette-Barbara Vogel.

Beginning his studies at the age of 9 with Albanian violinist Augustin Cin Simoni, Kirit immediately fell in love with the instrument and the possibility of collaborating with others. He has performed in a wide range of orchestral ensembles across Ontario and the US, most notably the Mississauga Youth Symphony Orchestra, Port Credit Chamber Strings ensemble, UWOpera, UWO orchestra, and Roundtop Festival orchestra.

He holds a Masters and Bachelor’s degree in Violin Performance from the University of Western Ontario studying under Prof. Annette-Barbara Vogel. Kirit enjoys an active performing life as a soloist, always seeking opportunities to perform, winning awards in the London Music Scholarship Foundation (2017), the Hideo Saito award (2015,2017), Gordon Jeffery Strings and Chamber music award (2018), and most recently the Maritsa Brooks Concerto competition (2019).

A passionate teacher, with an ever-growing private studio, Kirit has also held a faculty position at Forest City Strings School since 2019 as well as being invited to coach youth orchestras across Ontario.

Mihika Miranda is a musical performer and arts administrator based in Mumbai, India. Growing up in Mumbai, she fell in love with dance and musical theatre. She trained in jazz with The Danceworx, Mumbai for 5 years. Her college experience at Franklin and Marshall College fueled her passion for musical theatre which encouraged her to major in Theatre and Creative Writing with a minor in Anthropology. As an avid member of the arts, she performed/directed in over 17 productions at F&M which helped her discover her long-term goal to produce musicals. Key acting credits include Aida (Nehebka), Grease (Rizzo), Arcadia (Chloe); key directing credits include Legally Blonde the Musical (director) and The Last Five Years (assistant director). She has participated in play reading workshops in Mumbai and Chicago.

Additionally, since Fundraising is crucial to producing, she began her career in Development at Prima Theatre (Lancaster, USA), followed by roles at the Tony-award winning Steppenwolf Theatre Company (Chicago, USA) and most recently, at G5A Foundation for Contemporary Culture (Mumbai, India)

Auritra Ghosh is a Mumbai based actor, choreographer/dance practitioner, and founder/director at Pause and Effect – an arts and wellness ideologue. Along with teaching Jazz to the students of ICMD, she is currently pursuing a Diploma in Dance/Movement Therapy from TISS, Mumbai.

Auritra started her career in the performing arts at the age of 17. Brought up in Delhi, her Bengali lineage along with her passion for creativity, provided for a great base to develop her skills in performing arts.

In 2001, she joined The Danceworx – Performing Arts Academy to further complement her earlier training in Kathak, where she trained in Jazz, Ballet, Modern and Contemporary dance. By 2002, she was a full-time instructor and choreographer with the academy.

In 2007, as part of a student exchange program, Auritra went to study and perform at The Fontys University, Netherlands.

She was a visiting faculty at the Terence Lewis Dance Academy and was closely associated with the Split-Sole Dance Academy since its inception in 2009.

Auritra has acted in many theatre productions, including an adaptation of the award winning play August: Osage County directed by Lillete Dubey.

She has also acted in independent feature films such as M Cream and has played the lead role in Shaadi Vaadi, an MTV Films’ production. Some of her films and web-series have won awards at film festivals across the world, such as Rhode Island Film Festival, London Indian Film Festival, Chicago film festival, South Florida Web fest, L.A web fest to name a few.

Auritra was the face behind the Google Search: Reunion ad campaign. She received widespread, individual appreciation for her nuanced role in the ad-film.

In 2015, Auritra founded Pause and Effect – an innovative art and wellness ideologue. Pause and Effect aims to bring good health and well-being through diverse disciplines like yoga, dance, music and art.

Jessie earned his bachelors degree in Music major Piano Performance and minor in voice at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila,Philippines. During his College days, he participated in Piano competitions,masterclasses and outreach concerts.In 2009, he performed with Soprano Rachelle Gerodias and Tenor Andrew Fernando at the Ceaser’s Palace in Las Vegas,Nevada. In 2008, he won 3rd prize at the UST Conservatory of Music Piano Concerto Competition.

In 2007, he performed Rachmaninoff Piano suite no.1 at the Equitable PCI Bank tower with the UST Piano Ensemble.

In 2005, he participated in various outreach music concerts performing in different state universities in Central Luzon.

Jessie is also a singer. He is an alumnus of the World-reknowned UST Singers under the baton of Prof. Fidel Calalang Jr. During his time with choir from 2006 to 2014, he participated in 10 international tours in Europe, Asia and the United States and was part of the batch who won the coveted Choir of the World Luciano Pavarotti at the Llangollen Eisteddfodd in Wales, United Kingdom.

In over 16 years as a Piano teacher, Jessie has taught students of all ages.His students participated in Piano festivals and competitions in Manila.

Bernardo Soler award winning Filipino Classical guitarist from Melbourne, Australia. In 1989 , he graduated with a Bachelor of Music majoring in Classical guitar from the University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music ( Manila Philippines ) under the tutelage Mario Rodriguez. In 1992 he Studied at the Melba Conservatorium of Music ( Melbourne , Australia ) under the tutelage of Jochen Schubert.

He has enjoyed enormous success in guitar competitions. In October 1981, he won first prize in the “Concourso de Guitarra” from the Centro Cultural de la Embajada de Espana in celebration of La Semana de Hispanidad. November 1981, first prize in the “National Music Competition for Young Artist” (Intermediate level), Philippines. October 1982, Grand Prix winner at the Sixth Philippine Guitar Festival. November 1982, second prize in the Southeast Asia
Guitar Festival held in Jakarta , Indonesia.

November 1987, first prize in the National Music Competition for Young Artist (category C), Philippines. November 1988 he represented the Philippines at the “Concourso Internacional de Ejucacion Musical Dr. Luis Sigall”, held at Vina del Mar, Chile. In 1994, he represented the Philippines at the “Primer Concourso Internacional de Guitarra Augustin Barrios”, held in Asuncion, Paraguay.

Throughout his student years he participated in master classes with famous guitarist, namely: John Williams, David Russel, Manuel Barrueco, David Tanenbaum, Stephen Rak, Leo Witozinski, and Timothy Walker. He has performed all over the Philippines, Indonesia, South America, United States of America, and Australia.
At present he is travelling around Australia and overseas performing in various music festivals.

Kim Nimrod Cruz (b. 1990) is a contemporary classical composer currently based in the Philippines. Cruz is into a wide scope of writing music which includes writing for orchestra, choirs, mixed ensembles, solo instruments, electronic music, prepared instruments and even found objects. He also writes incidental music for film, theater, sound design for film and tv.

Cruz has always been curious about the world and how to recreate that through sound. He is always fascinated with the idea that music and sound is able to give that transcendent, experiential moment to his audiences. Cruz had always strived to nurture creativity not just alone but even in the collaborative efforts he was able to cultivate with different artists from various disciplines.

In this one week Summer Camp, students learn all three aspects of Musical Theatre. Students work on Vocal Technique, Acting, and Movement. Students learn to perform through the eyes of the Character with the help of character analysis, listening to artists doing the song they are singing and listening and watching for various technical and performance areas in their rendition of the song. In some cases, students are asked to listen and watch more than just one student. In the process of Character Building, students secure the costume and one prop they will use in the final performance. Students meet for a total of 3 hours daily Monday to Friday. In the last hour of Friday, students will present a final performance to which they are able to invite family and friends.

CLASS COMPONENTS
1. Improve your vocal skills
2. Work on Bringing the Character to Life
3. Develop your movement related to the piece you are performing

TAKEAWAYS
1. Build Confidence
2. Develop Self-Expression
3. Perform through the Eyes of the Character

STUDENT REQUIREMENTS
Students intending to attend this Summer Intensive MUST provide NO LATER than June 10, 2021: A video recording of them singing. Also Students must have the song they are intending to work on in the Camp MEMORIZED before Day 1 of the Camp.

In this one week Summer Camp, students learn all three aspects of Disney Musical Theatre. Students work on Vocal Technique, Songs, and Movement. Students learn to perform through the eyes of the Character. Students meet for a total of 2 hours daily Monday to Friday. Additionally, students pick their own costumes. On the last day of the Intensive, students present a final performance to which they are able to invite family and friends.

Get your song on its feet! In this course, we will learn about gestures and physicality: how do you physically become the Disney Princesses and Princes? Together, we’ll explore how to stage a song, how to walk, dance, and embody the character to still give a fantastic performance on stage or through your laptop screen. This class will offer you the skills to prepare and enhance your own performances for auditions or school concerts.

CLASS COMPONENTS

1. Improve your vocal skills
2. Work on Being the Disney Prince or Princess
3. Develop your movement related to the piece you are performing

MOVEMENT
Basics
1. Understanding common language for working on stage
2. Body positions, stage positions and staging terms

Gestures and Physicality
1. Impulse leads to acting
2. Embracing gesture
3. llustration vs gesture
4. Anchoring

The Power of Choice
1. Playing multiple types of roles
2. When to move
3. Scoring your singing
4. Scale: On stage or on Screen

TAKEAWAYS

STUDENT REQUIREMENTS
Students intending to attend this Summer Camp MUST provide NO LATER than June 1, 2021: A video recording of them singing. Also Students must have the song they are intending to work on in the Camp MEMORIZED before Day 1 of the Camp.

If you are auditioning for Broadway or the best performing arts schools in the country, you’d better be a “Triple Threat.” During this Summer Camp, you will be working with three of OVIMA’s top instructors in acting, singing and dance. Most likely, you will have two 60 minute sessions a day. Drama, Voice and Dance.

When you finish this intense training, you will feel confident and prepared to handle any audition in any format. OVIMA wants our students to be at the top of their game. It’s never too early to gather the necessary tools for success in the future. All monologues, song lyrics, and karaoke tracks to be provided by OVIMA. Comfortable dance clothes and footwear as recommended by the instructor. Sign up for this summer workshop soon. Your preparation now gets you one step closer to being a “Triple Threat”!

CLASS COMPONENTS
1. Students receive training in 3 different areas: Acting, Singing, and Dance
2. Develop Audition skills
3. Work on individual promotional materials
4. Understand the discipline, and work ethics needed to succeed in a professional environment

TAKE AWAYS

1. Students are proficient in two contrasting monologues, songs, and at least two dance styles
2. Gain self-confidence of knowing that you can compete at any level

STUDENT REQUIREMENTS

– Notebooks and Pencils
– Comfortable clothing

Argentinian-American soprano, Jessica Wald, has been performing on stage since the age of seven, having won a number of international competitions and performances in pop and classical genres. She has been a voice teacher, teaching kids and adults how to use a proper vocal technique in any genre, for over a decade. She also teaches acting (film and musical theater) and is a health coach, assisting people with their health problems and also helping many singers and speakers fix and prevent vocal health issues. She has been a cantorial soloist for over ten years, singing and leading services in temples all over South Florida. She has performed many opera roles with great companies and programs, such as: Susanna in Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro, Morgana in Handel’s Alcina, Olympia in Offenbach’s Les contes d’Hoffmann, June Jinkins in Dan Shore’s An Embarrassing Position, and covered the Queen of the Night in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte with Music Academy International in Italy, Manhattan Opera Studio, Miami Music Festival, and Rutgers University, where she is currently finishing her Master of Music degree in Opera Theater. She made her Carnegie Hall debut in 2019 performing Juliette’s waltz from Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette. In December 2016, she graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Florida Atlantic University.

Hello: I am Mr. Bruce and I can’t wait to be your teacher. I have taught Theater for my entire career, over 35 years. My Master’s Degree is in Theater Education and I am also a published author of two children’s books. I have been blessed to share my love for the performing arts with so many students and watch them grow and become professionals in their fields. I’m passionate about the things that I do. I believe that learning is fun when you’re guided by a friendly, helpful and diligent teacher. I hope that I can be a part of your journey as we explore the ins and outs of
performance, together. Come and find out what I have planned for you. I guarantee it will be a truly memorable adventure!

Ashley do Rego, an Indian born violinist started playing the violin at the age of 6. He completed his Licentiate in Music from the Trinity college of London and has a double Bachelors (Artistic and Pedagogic) from the Anton Bruckner University in Austria. He currently works extensively as a freelance musician in Orchestras in Switzerland, Austria, Spain, Germany to name a few. He has been teaching since 2004 and completed his teacher’s training program in Würzburg, Germany. Besides serving as a concertmaster in Canada, Spain, Switzerland, Austria and in India, he is also a member of the Tango trio “Ta’l” in Austria where he currently lives, specializing in tango music. He has worked in different projects with artists from different art forms such as dance and acting. He enjoys traveling and is open to explore collaborations with different artists and art forms.

Anusha Goda is a passionate, full-time musician who is a budding artist with versatile capability. She has been undergoing intense training in Carnatic, Hindustani, and Western classical styles of music. She has given many performances in these three styles in the U.S. as well as in India. She holds a diploma in Carnatic music from the
University of Silicon Andhra. She is currently a student of Advanced School of Carnatic Music at Madras Music Academy, pursuing an advanced diploma in Carnatic Music. She has accompanied her teachers in several academic lec-dem
concerts. Most recently, she has performed Western music at The Royal Opera House of Mumbai for a Tribute Concert to Celia Lobo. She has also learned Bharatanatyam, a South Indian classical dance form for 10 years.

Abhilasha Gautam has been learning music from the age of 3 years. She has learnt Carnatic, and Hindustani Classical music, and completed her Diploma in Carnatic Music from Mumbai University, India. Ms. Gautam was the first runner-up in the SA-RE-GA-MA-PA Marathi and Hindi in 2010, and was the winner in the SUPER SINGER Tamil, Singapore in 2013. Abhilasha has had the amazing opportunity to work with AR Rahman in Coke Studio, India.

Alvina Ransaw is a music teacher, vocal coach, choral director, and music therapist. She is a soprano
recitalist and recording artist. Dr. Ransaw has a Bachelor Degree in Music Education, a Master Degree in
Vocal Performance, a Doctorate in Naturopathy, and a Certification in Music Therapy. She pioneers the
field of music and sound research with published articles, studies, and lectures on the use of music as a
catalyst for mental and physical healing. She began her formal vocal training at ten years old and was
soloist in elementary school thru college. As a member of the Cosmopolitan Opera Company now the
Philadelphia Opera Company, she appeared as the High Priestess in Verdi’s opera Aida at seventeen.
And appeared in many other operas with the company. In college she received awards and scholarships
for performance and academics. Presently she performs classical, musical and modern jazz as vocal
soloist; a voice and piano teacher and coach, producing and directing programs and musicals. She
teaches all ages from 3 years old to the elderly. Preparing students for auditions, competitions,
performances, and some just for the joy of learning. In music therapy she specializes in neurological
disorders. Autism, ADD, and speech disorders. Dr. Ransaw prepares individualized programs for each
student or group because she understands that each student or client learns differently and has
individual needs. Also, music should be learned with fun, joy, accomplishment and exposure. This will
help each student and client reach their personal music goal.