Clarissa Ocampo conducts master class on ‘Easing Up Vocal Tension’

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Opera Company brings back Boston-based mezzo soprano, Clarissa Ocampo, with a master class open to singers of all genres on June 1, 2 to 5 p.m. at the Opera Haus, located at 3657 Bautista Street, Palanan, Makati. 

Clarissa, one of the country’s top Opera singers, is a sought-after voice mentor recognized for her unique approach to vocal technique, combining scientific research and vast performance experience.

A graduate of the Juilliard School in New York with a master’s degree in voice performance and a cum laude graduate of the University of Santo Thomas Conservatory of Music, Clarissa is on her second advanced degree, this time in speech language pathology at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, MA.

Clarissa is a staple in the classical music scene known for her top-notch portrayals of various operatic roles in opera productions held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and various concert halls in Manila, Singapore, the United States and Canada.

What makes Clarissa’s approach to singing incredibly unique is her ability to clearly and precisely explain how the vocal and breathing mechanisms work. She claims that her present studies in speech language pathology, her experiences as a personal fitness trainer to athletes and her own practice of mind-body awareness has helped her develop a structure beneficial to the art of singing. 

Students in her present studio include novices, professional singers, young artists, and mature students hoping to get their singing voice back. Eventually, Clarissa will be able to add voice and speech therapy and rehabilitation to her practice, as she plans to specialize in voice and neurological disorders upon graduation. 

The master class titled “Easing Up Vocal Tension” will focus on releasing muscular tension and the proper use of the breath to achieve vocal freedom when singing. The workshop includes a brief lecture on the anatomy of speech, tension release and relaxation techniques, and an opportunity to work with Clarissa one-on-one in her studio.

Workshop fees are P1,000 for participants and P600 for observers. Limited slots are available. For more information call the Philippine Opera Company at 822-9609 or 0917-5272880.