irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2020
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $75KCLA FRANCE HOSTS SINGERS AND PIANISTS IN A PROGRAM DEDICATED TO THE STUDY OF FRENCH OPERA AND SON. OUR PARTICIPANTS ARE PRE-PROFESSIONAL YOUNG ARTISTS, ON THE VERGE OF A CAREER IN SINGING. OUR SINGERS AND PIANISTS (CURRENT AND FORMER STUDENTS OF THE JULLIARD SCHOOL, ACADEMY OF VOCAL ARTS, EASTMAN CONSERVATORY, MANNES COLLEGE AND MANHATTAN COLLEGE OF MUSIC) LIVE TOGETHER AND STUDY REPETOIRE AND FRENCH LANGUAGE WITH A TEAM OF COACHES WHO POSSESS AN EXPERTISE IN FRENCH SINGING STYLE, DAILY COACHINGS, MUSICAL DIRECTION, AND LANGUAGE CLASSES. THE PROGRAM CULMINATES IN A SERIES OF PUBLIC MASTERCLASSES AND 6 CONCERTS OF FRENCH OPERA AND OPERETTA SELECTIONS, AS WELL AS CLASSIC MELODIES.
- #2 $17KCLASSIC LYRIC ARTS RAISES FUNDS TO SUPPORT THE FIRST TWO ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
CLA Berkshires
Two-week summer program in Massachusetts focused on Mozart’s operatic works, combining musical training with cultural immersion in Italian language and history.
CLA France
Two-and-a-half-week summer program in southwest France for emerging singers and pianists to study French opera and song with native teachers, focusing on language, diction, and cultural immersion.
CLA Italy
Two-and-a-half-week summer program in Novafeltria, Italy, dedicated to Italian bel canto repertoire, offering language training, vocal coaching, and performance opportunities with native faculty.
CLA Mozart
New two-week intensive program in Todi, Italy, focusing on Mozart’s operas within a historic setting, fostering deep artistic development through language and collaboration.
Classic Lyric Arts Vocal Academy (CLAVA)
Year-round, invitation-only training program in New York City for CLA alumni, providing career coaching, mentorship, and performance preparation to bridge the gap between conservatory and professional opera careers.
activities · 2 groups
What they do
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Opera and Vocal Arts Training Programs 5 activities
- Immersive summer training programs in French opera and songOffers a two-and-a-half-week summer program in southwest France for emerging classical singers and collaborative pianists, focused on French opéra and chanson with native teachers. The program includes daily vocal coaching, language instruction for diction and comprehension, and cultural immersion, culminating in public masterclasses and performances. Hosts approximately 18 singers, 2 pianists, and teaching artists in a residential setting in the Périgord region.
- Immersive summer training programs in Italian bel canto repertoireOperates a two-and-a-half-week summer program in Novafeltria, Italy, dedicated to bel canto repertoire and immersive engagement with Italian language and culture. The program hosts approximately 26 singers, 5 pianists, and multiple teaching artists, featuring native Italian instructors and a focus on artistic growth through sustained residential exchange. Originally launched in 2009, it is the organization’s founding program.
- Immersive summer training programs in Mozart’s operatic worksHosts a two-week intensive summer program focused on Mozart’s Italian operas, including recitatives, arias, and ensemble pieces, with instruction led by native Italian teachers. One version takes place in Todi, Italy, in a restored 13th-century convent; another operates in the Berkshires, Massachusetts. The program includes group classes, coaching sessions, and performance opportunities, fostering mastery of Mozart’s style within a residential, retreat-like environment.
- Performance series for program participantsOrganizes annual concert series, including public masterclasses and six concerts of French opera, operetta, and classic melodies, providing performance opportunities for participants in CLA programs. These events are integrated into the summer training experience and serve as culminating showcases of artistic development.
- Year-round professional development program for alumni (CLA Vocal Academy)Provides an invitation-only, year-round training and performance program for former CLA summer participants preparing for major auditions and international opera careers. Launched as a pilot in 2024, the program covers 75% of tuition costs to reduce financial barriers and supports advanced career development through curated coaching and performance opportunities.
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Student Career Readiness and Internship Placement 1 activity
- Capacity-building through student involvement in organizational operationsEngages students in administrative and operational roles such as photography, web design, and development coordination, integrating them into the functional aspects of the organization to build professional skills beyond performance.
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financials · form 990 · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$570K
Contributions & grants$227K40%
Program service revenue$341K60%
Investment income$2K0%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$567K
Program expenses84%
Admin / overhead8%
Fundraising8%
Salaries & benefits$201K
Grants paid out$133K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$97K
Cash$97K
Investments$0
Liabilities$53K
Net assets$44K
Liquid reserves2.0 mo
5 years on record · 2019–2023 · YoY revenue +26.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN VISCARDI | EXECUTIVE DI | 20 | $46K |
| GLENN MORTON | BOARD MEMBER | 20 | $43K |
board members · 6
- ALAN FRANKEL — VICE PRES &
- JOHN HUNTER — PRESIDENT &
- KAREN KELLY — BOARD MEMBER
- KELLY CLARKE — BOARD MEMBER
- PATRICK GALLAGHER — TREASURER
- ROBIN SHOEMAKER — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 24
Who they work with
- Academy of Vocal Arts Partner — Source of participants for training programs
- Bard College at Simon’s Rock Partner — Hosts CLA’s program at its campus, providing an immersive academic and artistic setting.
- Covent Garden Partner — Staff include artists associated with Covent Garden, contributing to instruction and artistic development.
- Eastman Conservatory Partner — Source of participants for training programs
- Facebook Partner — Platform used to share updates and engage community
- Gaspard Partner — Coached pianists and singers on producing orchestral sounds at the piano through touch and musical expression.
- Glenn Partner — Provided vocal instruction and introduced concepts of resonance to singers in the program.
- Hélène Partner — Taught pianists to sing and emote while playing, emphasizing music as an experience rather than technical perfection.
- Instagram Partner — Platform used to share updates and engage community
- John Viscardi Funder — Executive director who manages Named Programs Grants for emerging artists.
- Julliard School Partner — Source of participants for training programs
- La Scala Partner — Staff include artists associated with La Scala, contributing to instruction and artistic development.
- Mailmeteor Partner — Provides a guide used by CLA to help subscribers whitelist its emails.
- Manhattan College of Music Partner — Source of participants for training programs
- Mannes College Partner — Source of participants for training programs
- Michel Sénéchal Partner — Collaborated to launch the CLA France program; renowned French tenor and former director of the Paris Opera School.
- Opera America Partner — Hosts CLAVA program activities in its facilities.
- Paris Opera Partner — Staff include artists associated with the Paris Opera, contributing to instruction and artistic development.
- Paris Opera School Government — Michel Sénéchal, key partner in founding CLA France, served as its director for fifteen years.
- Raphaël Partner — Conducted French language instruction for singers in the CLA France 2023 program.
- Tanglewood Partner — Collaborates with CLA to provide performance and educational experiences, including attendance at operatic productions.
- The Bloomingdale School of Music Partner — Hosts CLAVA program activities on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.
- The Metropolitan Opera Partner — Staff include artists associated with The Metropolitan Opera, contributing to instruction and artistic development.
- Ubaldo Fabbri Partner — Co-founder and partner in directing the CLA Italy program at his academy in Novafeltria.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Culture and Language Immersionmethodology: culture_and_language_immersionBy immersing artists in the language, culture, and historical context of opera, we develop deeper vocal artistry and authentic performance, because understanding cultural nuance enables more expressive and technically grounded singing.
- Language-Centered Vocal Pedagogymethodology: language_centered_pedagogyBy grounding vocal technique in linguistic and phonetic precision, we improve both expressive authenticity and technical control, because the sound and structure of language directly shape vocal production in classical singing.
- Native-Instructor Led Immersionmethodology: native_instructor_immersionBy using native teachers to deliver instruction in French and Italian vocal repertoire, we ensure authentic linguistic and cultural transmission, because native expertise enables nuanced understanding of pronunciation, expression, and stylistic tradition.
- Residential Co-Immersion Modelmethodology: residential_immersionBy placing artists and faculty in a shared co-residential environment, we deepen engagement with music and culture, because immersive, communal living strengthens artistic focus, collaboration, and learning continuity beyond formal instruction hours.