Policies
Academic Calendar
All accepted students are enrolled for an entire academic year consisting of two
terms in a nine-month period beginning on the first Monday after Labor Day and
ending on approximately the third Friday in May. AVA does not offer summer
programs or other courses of study during June, July or August.
Attendance
Resident Artists are expected to attend all classes, lessons and required
rehearsals. Promptness is required in all cases. Absences or repeated tardiness
may result in a failing grade, or in extreme cases, dismissal from The Academy.
All classroom courses will have attendance policies established by the
instructor, in accordance with school policy. Absences are forgiven when they
are caused by special rehearsals scheduled for performance. Such rehearsals are
announced to the instructor, by the administration, in advance.
Releases
Before accepting any outside engagement, whether during rehearsals and classes
or not, the singer must obtain a written release first from his/her voice
instructor and then from both the executive and music directors. No releases
will be given during the final month of rehearsing an opera, or during the run
of performances, to those singers performing in that production.
Attire
All students are required to own concert attire (long dress or full-length skirt
and top with sleeves for women; tuxedo and dark suit for men). At all times
students are expected to dress in attire appropriate to their position as
students and performers.
Release of Transcripts
Requests for transcripts must be made in writing. Official transcripts will be
released only to an outside agency. There is no fee for a transcript. The
Academy of Vocal Arts adheres to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
of 1974.
Student Handbook
Additional rules and regulations of The Academy of Vocal Arts are outlined in
the Student Handbook, which all students receive on the first day of the school
year. Students may be subject to dismissal at any time for failure to adhere to
the rules of The Academy as stated in the Student Handbook.
Additional Fees
In addition to purchasing piano/vocal scores, all students will be required to
purchase textbooks and workbooks for language classes as well as texts, if
required, for opera history, etc.
