Classical to Stage
Unlock Contemporary Musical Theatre Voice & Performance
June 25 -27 | Nightly 5-9pm
Downtown Ft. Worth
Your classical training is a superpower.
This 3-night intensive with Michael & Rick shows you exactly how to translate it into authentic, powerful contemporary musical theatre singing and performance.
High-energy. Practical. Immediately useful. Ready to go from the studio to the stage?
Your 3-Night Transformation
Night 1: Classical Technique → Contemporary Styles Mastery
Take everything you’ve already mastered and transform it into authentic, versatile tools for modern musical theatre. You’ll learn precise techniques for identifying and building any vocal color you want — so your voice sounds raw and real in any contemporary genre — while keeping the strength and control of your classical foundation.
Night 2: Act Your Song Like a Pro
Turn your singing into compelling storytelling. Learn the foundation for what makes a character come alive on stage and in auditions — plus integrate voice and acting so your song becomes a fully realized scene. This night focuses on musical theatre performance skills that make directors and audiences lean in.
Night 3: Mock Musical Theatre Audition + Behind-the-Table Talkback
Put it all together in a supportive mock audition setting. Audition with one of your contemporary cuts in front of the group, watch your fellow singers, then join a candid talkback with Michael and Rick. Get the real insider perspective on what we’re looking for when we sit behind the table — what catches our attention, what makes us excited, and how to stand out in a real audition.
Who You’ll Be Learning From:
Rick & Michael have served as Faculty or Guest Speakers at:
Rick Novak
Dr. Rick Novak is a professional tenor who has performed 33 leading opera roles across the U.S. and Europe, won the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions - Tulsa District, and made his Carnegie Hall debut. A passionate educator with a DMA from the University of North Texas, he currently serves as Adjunct Instructor of Voice at TCU and Chorus Master for Fort Worth Opera.
Known for blending world-class stage experience with practical, inspiring teaching, Rick helps singers develop authentic, expressive voices with clarity and confidence. He is happily married to Laura and proud father of three talented children.
Michael Maresca
Michael went from struggling singer to helping over 25,000 vocalists worldwide. He’s the founder of the One Voice Coach Certification Program and former lead of the Texas State University Musical Theatre Program’s Voice Area. Known for challenging traditional paradigms and producing rapid, measurable results, he’s been called both the “vocal coach for vocal coaches” and a “vocal renegade guru.” Today, he equips the next generation of teachers to coach with clarity, confidence, and results.
What People Are Saying…
Tickets
🎤 Singer Track – $399
Full participation experience.
Be in the work every night. Receive direct, personalized feedback from Michael and Rick to build your own custom progress path. Sing, act, grow, and arrive at Night 3 ready to crush your mock audition. This is the immersive, transformative track for singers serious about booking musical theatre work.
Note: Limited spots in both tracks (Singer Track is intentionally kept smaller for maximum feedback).
👀 Observer Track – $99
Learn by watching the action.
Observe all sessions, ask questions, take notes, and absorb the techniques and insights. Perfect for teachers, directors, or singers who want the full workshop knowledge to bring back to their own studio, students, or future auditions. You’ll still get the complete experience — just without performing.
FAQ: “WAIT, I have questions…”
-
No. Your classical foundation is treated as a superpower here, not something to fix. We show you how to add contemporary colors to transform your sound while keeping your classical strength, support, and power. You’ll expand your palette — not replace it.
-
Absolutely not. The entire workshop is built on healthy, supported vocal principles. Michael and Rick emphasize sustainable, healthy singing that protects and even strengthens your classical voice. Many classical singers leave this specialized training feeling that they can sing their legit repertoire with more accuracy and intention than when they arrived.
-
Not at all. Bring one classical or legit musical theatre piece you already know well (16–32 bars) and another more contemporary MT cut that you’d like to sing or you think would fit you. We’ll help you adapt it into contemporary style during the workshop. You don’t need to come in with perfect MT cuts. 😊
-
Yes — many conservatory-trained and opera singers have gone through similar training with us and successfully translated their classical technique foundations to contemporary musical theatre work. This workshop was specifically created for singers like you who want to cross over without compromising their training.
-
This is one of the most common concerns from classical singers, and it’s exactly why Night 2 exists. We teach practical, believable song-acting that feels authentic rather than “perform-y.” You’ll get safe, supportive coaching that bridges classical presence to musical theatre storytelling.
-
We work with every voice ‘type.’ Contemporary musical theatre is far more varied than people think. You’ll learn how to use your current instrument more effectively and discover which shows/characters might be a great fit for you. (You might be surprised! 😳)
-
Singer Track is intentionally capped at a small number for maximum feedback. You’ll sing and receive direct coaching from both Michael and Rick each night. Observer Track gives you full visibility into every adjustment and breakthrough.
-
Singers - please bring two cuts a) Operatic-Style Musical Theater Song and b) Contemporary-Style Musical Theatre Song. Please keep these to 32bars or less. You need to have clearly marked sheet music and the instrumental or piano tracks for your cuts.
Observers & Singers - please bring your notebooks to take notes, water, snacks, an open-mind, and an attitude ready to explore and grow. 🥳