The Civic Music Association of Milwaukee's Vocal Coaching Program is beginning its sixth season of providing world-class vocal coaching to Milwaukee area singers, thanks to a partnership between Supporters of Opera Singers and CMA.

Through the Vocal Coaching Program, five young artists will work with vocal coach Timothy Shaindlin of the Lyric Opera of Chicago over a period of six months to refine their performance techniques. The monthly coaching sessions focus on operatic repertoire and culminate in a joint recital on Saturday, April 19, 2008, 2:00 p.m., at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts in Brookfield.

Pianist and vocal coach Timothy Shaindlin is a native of New York City who studied at the Julliard School of Music and Indiana University. For the past ten years, he has been on the music staff of the Lyric Opera of Chicago, as well as the Lyric Opera Center for American Artists. He has also worked for the Washington opera, New York City Opera, San Diego Opera, Glimmerglass Opera, and Wolf Trap Festival Opera.

The Vocal Coaching Program was founded by Patricia Crump, a former member of the CMA Board of Directors and president of Supporters of Opera Singers, an organization established to administer funds donated to assist young Milwaukee area singers. She is also Co-Director of the Wisconsin District Auditions of the Metropolitan Opera National Council.