Ready to Shine on Stage?
Experience the Bloomington Opera Camp™
Professional Experience│ Leadership Training │ Personal & Professional Growth │ CV Upgrade │ Networking
Limited Spots!

Bloomington Opera Camp™ │ At Harmony School
By ©Performing Arts Laboratory
Scientifically Proven & International Awarded

In allience with

Where:
Bloomington, IN (USA) at Harmony School
When:
May 27th - June 7th 2025
M-F: 2pm - 7pm & S: 10:30 am - 4:30pm
Who can participate:
Everyone aged 7 to 70+ with an interest in singing (as a soloist and in a choir), playing an instrument, dancing, painting, designing, creating, administrate art, and more. No experience is required—this camp welcomes communities, students, and professionals alike!

Isabella Vega
Concertino - CASC Opera Camp™ 2022
(Los Angeles, CA, USA)

"I love this camp. You can learn how to work as a team, do something really nice, and be an artist."

Los Angeles Times
General Editor
June 2022

"Something totally unique. [...] The core of the program is to allow communities to have a voice in experiencing high-level artistic experiences usually reserved for professionals."

Mayra Rico
Coordinator - Family Services Recreation, City of Azusa, California (USA)
&
Parent of CASC - Opera Camp™ participants.

"I want to thank Diego [Creator & Music and Artistic Director of the Opera Camp™] for everything he has taught my daughters. Thank you for loving music so much that they couldn't help but fall in love with it too. The confidence they have now, the way they listen to music, the way they talk about it has changed over the summer."

The Opera Camp™ is coming to
Bloomington IN!
After transforming hundreds of lives in Los Angeles, CA, USA since 2018, the Opera Camp™ is thrilled to bring its groundbreaking program to Bloomington, IN, USA.
Summer 2025 marks the moment when the Bloomington community will experience the extraordinary journey of producing and performing Opera ALL TOGETHER.
Don't Miss out and be part of the Bloomington Opera Camp™
Limited Spots!
Be an Artist
No matter your level
Have a Voice and Use it!
From beginners to advance professionals, from kids (7 years) to older adults (70+); all ages and skill levels are welcomed in the Opera Camp™. We encourage and guide participants to develop their own "voice" and exercise it through their artistic practice (playing, singing, painting, creating, dancing, etc...)
Experience All Arts
Elevate your Art while learning from others
The Opera Camp™ offers a holistic state-of-the-art (and multiple times awarded) approach to arts education, incorporating not only singing or playing but also opportunities for instrumentalists, fine artists, directors, arts administrators, etc., to develop their skills and collaborate with other arts.
Bloomington Opera Camp™ 2025
Majors:
Opera Singer - Soloist & Choir: Singing/Acting/Blocking/Dancing/Ensamble
Orchestra (All Instruments)
Instrument/Orchestra/Chamber Music/OperaPlayer
Fine Arts:
Sculpture/Painting/Stage Design/Costume Design/Drawing/ArtisanalTechniques.
Minors:
Fine Arts
Dancing/Singing/Acting
Arts Administration
Be Relevant to your Community
By Collaborating with all of them
The Opera Camp™ strengthens community bonds by involving a wide range of participants of all ages, performance levels, and diverse backgrounds; transforming the Performing Arts practice into real generators of healthier and more sustainable social fabric at the broader society. By being part of something bigger (a full community Opera production) participants learn how to collaborate in multidisciplinary, multilevel, and multilingual scenarios, empowering them and fostering a sense of community and collaboration across diverse groups.
Bloomington Opera Camp™
2025 Production
El Imperio de la Luz - The Empire of Light
Community Opera™ in One Act
By registering in the Bloomington Opera Camp™ 2025, you will experience an unforgettable journey into the mythic origins of the great pre-Hispanic Andean civilization: the Incas. This Opera recounts the story of Inti, the Sun God, who establishes his empire through the leadership of his children, Manco Cápac and Mama Ocllo, born from the water. Guided by the sacred animals of Inca culture—Amaru (the snake), the condor, and the puma—the siblings embark on a quest to find a land where all people live in harmony, ultimately creating the Empire of Light.
A CommunityOperaScore™; "El Imperio de la Luz - The Empire of Light" is an Opera full of Pre-Hispanic influences being a powerful tool for cultural literacy development. Premiered with enormous sucess in Los Angeles, CA, USA by the CASC Opera Camp™ in 2022, it is infused with Pre-Hispanic influences being a powerful tool for cultural literacy and offering participants an opportunity to explore and celebrate the rich traditions of the Inca civilization. The staging includes detailed cultural depictions to inspire creativity, while the music employs the vibrant colors, melodic styles, and harmonic structures characteristic of Peruvian and Pre-Hispanic music.
Join us to bring this extraordinary story to life and immerse yourself in the rich heritage of the Andean world!

El Imperio de la Luz - The Empire of Light
Creative Team
Concept Creator & Project Chief

Diego
Barbosa-Vásquez
Colombia
Opera, Orchestra, and Ballet Conductor & Scholar
Doctor in Music
Indiana University - Jacobs School of Music
Librettist

Alonso Cueto
Peru
Author & Writer
Doctor in Hispanic Literature
University of Texas
Composer

Daniel Cueto
Peru & USA
Composer
Doctor in Music (Student)
Indiana University - Jacobs School of Music
Art Proposal

Liliana Rocha
Colombia
Textile Artist and Curator/facilitator
Doctor in Studies and Practices of Arts (Student)
Université du Québec à Montréal
Art Proposal

Gloria Manzanares
Spain
Artist
Master of Arts
Düsseldorf Academy of Arts.
Are you a Professional Artist?
BOC Fellowships:
Elevating Excellence in Performing Arts and Leadership
The Bloomington Opera Camp™ Fellowships (BOC Fellowships) provide professional artists with full tuition coverage and a stipend to participate in the camp. Eligible applicants must have a bachelor's degree (in their area of expertise) and either a master's degree or be pursuing one (also in their area of expertise). Fellows are selected through a competitive process, which includes an application, required materials, and nominations from allied institutions.
While applying for a BOC Fellowship is highly competitive, artists are encouraged to register as paying participants to secure their spot. If selected as a Fellow, registration fees will be reimbursed. Nominations from allied institutions are not required but can strengthen an application, as they demonstrate institutional support and recognition.
To apply, just click Register Here in the top of this page and follow the steps. No payment is required for BOC Fellowship application.


Opera Camp™
An inclusive and multidisciplinary program that unites participants of all ages and skill levels to collaboratively Produce and Perform Opera ALL TOGETHER, offering sustainable artistic experiences for communities...
The Opera Camp™ is a groundbreaking multidisciplinary program of the Performing Arts Laboratory - Production Branch that unites students, professionals, and amateurs of all ages and skill levels to Produce and Perform Opera ALL TOGETHER. This unique initiative breaks down the traditional barriers of Opera and Performing Arts productions, fostering collaboration across various artistic disciplines and allowing the full society to be active part of it. Participants not only gain the opportunity to sing, but also to engage as instrumentalists, artists, arts administrators, directors, and more, making this program an inclusive platform for a diverse array of talents. By embracing everyone from budding artists to seasoned professionals, the Opera Camp™ cultivates a rich learning and growing environment where all participants can contribute to and experience the magic and real meaning of Opera: All Arts Collaborating Together!
The Opera Camp™ on Photos
Learn, Improve, Perfect!
No matter your level
A MultiLevel
Experience
The Opera Camp™ offers revolutionary advance Artistic training for ALL LEVELS. From beginners, students, or advance professionals, this multiple times awarded program allows every participant to be challenged and motivated based on their own goals and performing levels. The program gives each participant the right experience they need, from being a soloist, get ensemble experience, receive private coaching, or get leadership opportunities. In addition, with a carefully crafted experience, the participants are able to collaborate efficiently with all the levels allowing them to always improve and perfect their art and their collaboration skills.
Build Bridges
Across Generations: Ages 7 to 70+
A MultiGenerational
Experience
The Opera Camp™ fosters a unique environment where participants of all ages—from young beginners to seasoned enthusiasts—come together to share and learn from one another. This enriching multigenerational interaction creates a vibrant social fabric, promoting mutual respect and understanding across generations. By collaborating in this diverse community, participants experience the profound joy of learning about each other's perspectives, stories, and artistry while working toward a shared artistic goal.
Discover the World
Through Art
A MultiLingual & MultiCultural
Experience
The Opera Camp™ is a MultiLingual and MultiCultural production that invites participants to immerse themselves in a rich tapestry of languages, embracing the beauty of diverse cultures and expanding their communication skills.
The Bloomington Opera Camp™ 2025 proudly presents "El Imperio de la Luz - The Empire of Light", a groundbreaking CommunityOpera™ that describes the creation of the Inca Empire (today Peru). It is original in Spanish, English, and words in Quechua. Whether you're fluent or entirely new to these languages, this unique experience will deepen your appreciation of the global heritage of different languages, the cultural richness it provides, and empower you to tell a universal story through the lens of multiple traditions, cultures, and values.
The Opera Camp™ Documentary - Teaser
Discover the ideas, research, and values behind this multiple times internationally awarded experience.

The Opera Camp™
GroundBreaking
Multidisciplinary Development*
Scientifically Proven
&
International Awarded
*Based in Doctoral and Post-Doctoral Research of more than 150+ International Performing Arts Institutions and Programs at all levels.
Opera BY and FOR
The Community
An Opera Camp™ production Chronicle
of the Collaborative Arts Summer Camp in Los Angeles, CA, USA
**Pilot Opera Camp™ program**


Opera Camp™
Creator & Music and Artistic Director:
Diego Barbosa-Vásquez
Maestro Diego Barbosa-Vásquez is an international Opera, Orchestra, and Ballet Conductor & Scholar whose visionary leadership transforms the Performing Arts. Combining his Colombian roots, world-class training, and global expertise, he creates immersive, community-driven artistic experiences. As General Director of the Performing Arts Laboratory, Music Director of The Americas Chamber Orchestra, and a sustained international career of more than 10 years, he has earned global recognition for his dynamic conducting and groundbreaking research in Performing Arts Sustainability. His collaborations as Conductor & Scholar span esteemed organizations like the St. Louis, Indianapolis, Cincinnati Symphony, and Magna Grecia Orchestras; Santa Fe, Atlanta, Houston, and Royal de Wallonie Operas; IU Opera and Ballet Theater, League of American Orchestras, Opera America, World Federation of Amateur Orchestras, and Ostrom Workshop. With a Doctorate in Conducting from Indiana University, PostDoctoral research in LatinAmerican Music, as well as pioneering PostDoctoral research in Performing Arts Sustainability (Dimensions: Artistic, Financial, Social and Ecological) with emphasis on International Business, International Political-Economy, Entrepreneurship, and Public Policy development; Maestro Barbosa-Vásquez brings unmatched expertise to the Bloomington Opera Camp™, promising an extraordinary journey for all participants.
-
1. Who can participate in the Bloomington Opera Camp™?The camp is open to everyone aged 7 to 70+ Whether you’re a complete beginner, a seasoned professional, or anywhere in between, there’s a place for you here. No prior experience is necessary*. Participants can explore singing (solo or choir), playing an instrument, dancing, acting, fine arts, and much more. Each participant will be register in a Major (Singing, Orchestra*, and Fine Arts) and a Minor (Fine Arts, Dancing/Singing/Acting, and Arts Administration). Both Major and Minor will be confirmed at total discretion of the Bloomington Opera Camp™ faculty in the first 2 days of the camp. *The unique Major that require a previous experience is Orchestra. Because orchestra majors will be in scene for 45 to 50 minutes in the Opera Premiere, the registration for Orchestra Major is open from beginner participants with a minimum skill of reading music and playing their instrument by themselves (without extra help).
-
2. What if I don’t have any prior experience in music or the arts?That’s absolutely fine! The camp is designed for all skill levels, and our experienced instructors will help you confirming your Major and Minor within the first two days and guide every step of the way. Our mission is to provide a safe, inclusive space for everyone to discover and develop their artistic potential. (Review FQA 1 for more info).
-
3. I am a Professional Artist. Can I participate? / How can I Apply to the BOC Fellowships?Yes! Professional artists are welcome to participate too!! In addition, professional artists may apply for the Bloomington Opera Camp™ Fellowships (BOC Fellowships), which provide full tuition coverage and a stipend for participation in the Opera Camp™. To be eligible, applicants must hold a bachelor's degree in their area of expertise and either have a master's degree or be currently pursuing one in their same area of expertise. BOC Fellows are selected through a highly competitive process that includes a comprehensive application*, submission of required materials, and nominations** from Bloomington Opera Camp™ allied institutions. Please note that applying for a BOC Fellowship does not guarantee selection. To secure a guaranteed spot at the Bloomington Opera Camp™, we encourage professional artists to register as paying participants (completing Checkout) while also submitting Fellowship application materials as a backup (all done in the same application). If selected as a Fellow, registration fees will be reimbursed. However, if not selected, no refunds will be issued, as paid registrations secure and reserve a spot among the 120 available participants. *Please fill out the full Registration on the top of this page, and follow the steps as a Professional Artists uploading the requested materials there. No need to checkout at the end of the registration process if only applying for the BOC Fellowship. **A nomination is not a mandatory requirement for selection as a BOC Fellow. However, applying with one or more nominations increases your chances of being selected, as it demonstrates the value of your work, with organizations backing you, acknowledging your contributions, and confirming your engagement with their communities. To request a nomination, you should contact one or more allied entities and formally request their endorsement. Each institution has up to 12 nomination slots, so it is beneficial to collaborate with them, showcase your work, and establish a relationship that makes them comfortable supporting your application.
-
4. Can I participate even if I have a busy schedule?Yes! The camp schedule is flexible enough to accommodate participants with other commitments (as long as their level, flexibility and commitment to good quality performance is clear and the participants communicate that in advance). The sessions run from May 27 to June 7, 2025, with weekday programs (2 PM–7 PM) and Saturday sessions (10:30 AM–4:30 PM). You can enjoy this enriching experience without disrupting your daily life. *No adjustment of registration fees for less training hours or adjusted camp participations are allowed. All Artists will pay the same amount no matter their unique schedule needs.
-
5. What does the registration (tuition) fee include?Participants have the exceptional opportunity to BECOME ARTISTS and experience producing and performing opera, an experience historically reserved ONLY for FEW professionals. In addition, the registration fee covers all camp activities (more than 60 hours of high-level, personalized, professional instruction in the performing arts), all materials for the camp (including scores), the participation on the Pre-Production meetings (more info in question 12), and participation AS ARTISTS in the opera production El Imperio de la Luz – The Empire of Light. This is an incredible opportunity to collaborate with a diverse, multigenerational, multilingual, and international community of artists.
-
6. How do I register, and what if I need assistance?Registering is simple! Just click the “Register Here and Reserve your Spotlight" button on the top of this page, follow the steps to fill out the online form, click submit, and then complete checkout to secure your spot. If you have any questions or face technical issues, our team is ready to assist via live chat, email ( bloomingtonoperacamp@gmail.com ), or phone ( +1 626 6204391) during hour business hours (Monday to Saturday 10am to 8pm). We recommend you to not wait too long—spots for the Bloomington Opera Camp™ are limited, and they fill up fast!
-
7. Does the program provide food for participants?No, we don't provide food. We encourage participants to bring their own snacks for the two breaks on weekdays and a lunch on Saturday.
-
8. Does the Opera Camp™ offer accommodation or food plan?For 2025, we do not offer accommodation or a food plan as part of the Bloomington Opera Camp™. However, we are considering special alliances with Bloomington hotels to provide discounts for international and non-local participants. As these services are not officially provided by the camp and are handled by third parties, we cannot provide specific details at this time. If you are interested in these additional services, you will have the option to indicate your interest during the online registration process, and our team will follow up with more information for international and non-local participants once you registration is confirmed.
-
9. Does the Bloomington Opera Camp™ facilitates visa for International participants?Because of the unique experience that the Opera Camp™ offers to artists of all levels, we understand that many international participants are interested in joining. Additionally, since the Bloomington Opera Camp™ takes place in Bloomington, IN—home to the prestigious IU - Jacobs School of Music, renowned as the best university for opera studies in the world— and the Bloomington Opera Camp™ is led by alumni of that institution, we anticipate strong interest from international students. However, the Bloomington Opera Camp™ does not facilitate visas for international participants. Upon completing the registration process, if requested, we can provide an official invitation letter to support your visa application or entry to the United States. But, participants are solely responsible for managing their own visa arrangements and ensuring they meet the requirements for travel. It is also important to note that no cancellations or refunds of the registration fee will be possible under any circumstances, including failure to obtain a visa or entry approval to the United States. Therefore, we strongly encourage international participants to resolve all visa and travels related matters before registering.
-
10. How Major and Minor works and which ones I should select?When selecting your Major and Minor for the Opera Camp™, it's important to understand their roles: Major: This is your main focus during the camp and will be the official role you take on for the full Production and Performance. You should choose the Major where you have the most experience, whether it's Singing (Soloist or Choir), Orchestra (All Instruments), or Fine Arts. If you don’t have prior experience in any of these areas, that’s completely fine! The faculty will guide you in finding the right fit, and you can still choose any Major that interests you, except for Orchestra, where minimum experience is required (please refer to question 1 for further details). Minor: This is an opportunity for you to explore other artistic fields, collaborate with others, and try out different roles within the Opera Camp™. You can select a Minor based on what intrigues you the most. It’s a chance to step out of your comfort zone and learn from other disciplines. Remember, the faculty will ensure that all participants are in the right Major and Minor, and if necessary (totally at the discretion of the faculty), adjustments will be made within the first days of the Opera Camp™ to ensure everyone has a fulfilling and enjoyable experience. Choose based on what feels best for you, and trust that the faculty will help guide your experience!
-
11. How the soloist for the opera will be selected?To be considered for a soloist role in the opera, every singer must register in the Singing Major (either Choir or Soloists). By default, all singers are part of the Opera Choir. On the first day of the camp, singers interested in becoming one of the seven soloists will audition for the Music Director and Stage Director. The selection of soloists will be based on casting criteria defined during pre-production meetings. These meetings involve input from the community and allied institutions, ensuring a thorough and collaborative casting process. More information about these meetings can be found in question 12. It is important to clarify that in opera, becoming a soloist is both an honor and a responsibility. It results from 2% talent, 49% preparation, and 49% a collaborative mindset and humility. Soloist positions are limited, and achieving one requires meeting the specific demands of the role as determined by the casting criteria. By default, every participant registered in the Singing Major is an opera choir singer. Choir participants receive training in vocal technique, acting, dancing, stagecraft, and oral communication. They also gain valuable experience in teamwork and collaboration on stage—key elements in preparing for a soloist role. Only those ready for the responsibility and who possess the characteristics required for the roles, as outlined in the casting criteria, will be selected as soloists. Additionally, please note that registration fees are non-refundable under any circumstances. If a participant initially expressed interest in a soloist role but is not selected, it does not mean they are excluded from the Singing Major. They will remain an integral part of the Opera Choir, as originally intended.
-
12. What are the Pre-Production meetings and when they will be done?The Pre-Production meetings are designed as a unique experience where the governance of the arts is shared with the communities involved, a crucial element in creating sustainable Performing Arts practices. These meetings provide an opportunity for allied institutions as well as registered participants to actively contribute to and decide on two key aspects of the opera’s governance: The Repertoire: The community will gain an in-depth understanding of the full story, values, and cultures represented in the 2025 Opera, El Imperio de la Luz (The Empire of Light), a Peruvian opera. They will also have the chance to discuss and decide what stories, values, and cultures they would like to highlight for the 2026 Opera, which will be a Mexican opera. The Casting: During these meetings, full participants will define the criteria for selecting the soloists for the 2025 Opera. This process involves understanding the technical, musical, and artistic requirements of each role, and having an open, respectful conversation about how these qualities should be reflected in the "voice, body shapes, personalities, faces, skin colors, etc." of the performers who best represent those roles. These meetings aim to involve the entire community in shaping the production, ensuring it reflects diverse perspectives and promotes a collaborative, inclusive approach to performing arts. The Pre-Production meetings will be developed between the end of March and start of April 2025 at some of the allied institutions buildings. The allied institutions and the registered participants will receive more information about the exact days and schedules to be able to participate.
Bloomington Opera Camp™ │ At Harmony School
By ©Performing Arts Laboratory
Scientifically Proven & International Awarded
